Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-10-28
MISCELLANY.
The First Cross Word.


Well done, Kate said Mrs. Huntington.
laughing, you have used the word seem only
twice in that short sentence. And now Won
have begging way about you, as if you were
really in earnest to hear something about mar
ried life, before taking the fatal step. 1t is
well Henry is not here 10 see the look of sad
ness in the eye of his bride-elect He might
fancy her heart was full Of misgivings instead
of wedding fnery.'
Don't laugh at me, Annette; talk with me
as you used to do. l love Henry, you know,
and yet have many misgivings about married
life. see so few who are really happy in
this relation-l mean happy as should wish
to be. You seem to come nearer to it than any
one else. Don't you ever -?'
Quarrel9 no, not often now. We had our
breaking in. believe it must come to all
sooner or later
DO tell me about it, will you, Annette!'
Yes, if you are desirous of it. You may
learn something from it,
was romantic girl, as Won we'll know.
Nate. Some few friends | had, whom loved
dearly; but these friendships did not quite sat-
lsiy my heart. Something more it craved. I
hardly knew what, until loved my husband.
When we were first married, used some
times 10 ask myself; now, do l find in this
life all which | expected to find Am | as
happy as | thought should be. My heart al
ways responded yes, and more so. With US
the romance of married life, if | may call it so,
held on 70. long time. For my part, was
conscious of Pleasurable excitement of feel
ing when we were together. | enjoyed riding
and walking alone with him. The brightest
hours of the day were those in which we sat
down alone together to talk or read. For a
long time felt gentle restraint in his pres
ence. liked 10 be becomingly dressed, and
10 feel in tune. When dull made an effort
to be social and cheerful, if he was present.
had great fear of getting into the way of
sitting down stupidity with my husband, or of
having nothing to talk about but the children
and the butchers bill. made business of
remembering every pleasant thing which
read or heard or thought, to tell him, and when
all these subjects were exhausted, we had each
of US hobby we could ride, so that we were
never silent for want of something to say
Thus we lived for year or two. was very
happy. | think people were often surprised to
see US continue to enjoy each others society
with so much zest
But there was this about it. As yet | had
nothing to try me. We were boarding, | had
no care, and his tenderness and interest were a
sovereign panacea for the little als and
roughnesses which must fall to US in our best
estate. This could not last, however, forever.
lie became more and more occupied in his
business, and at length had a house and a
baby to look after. Then, for the first time,
our mutual forbearance was put 10 the test
Hitherto we had been devoted TO each other 4;
now the real cares of life pressed upon us so as
often really TO absorb our energies. | was the
first to feel the change. 1t seemed to me as if
| would get sentimental, and think he did not
love me as he once did. AS look back now
| am convinced that here was my first ,orong
step. Indulgence in these moods weakened
my resolution. 1t was an injustice to him, OF
which | ought not to have been guilty. Ii
left me, too, with wounded feeling, as if ]
had been wronged, which began to affect nv
spirits.
Once, had for some time carried about this
little sore spot in my heart. | kept the matter
all to myself, for | was in part ashamed and in
part too proud to speak of it. Here was anoth-
er wrong step. There is no security of happi-
ness in married life but in the most perfect
confidence.
There came a season of damp, chilly wealth
er. One morning got up feeling very irrita-
BILE. had taken cold my head ached; and
my baby had been worrisome during the night
In my kitchen had cross, ignorant servan,
girl and on this particular morning she had
done her very worst for breakfast. The beef
like bullets the bread was half baked, and
the coffee, which was our main stay, was exc
cradle. My husband was very patient with all
this, until it came to the coffee, and this upse,
him. He put his cup down, and said in hall
vexed tone, Il do wish we could ever have any
good coffee. Annette, why cannot you have
it made as my mother does?'
This was the drop too much for me, and
boiled over. You never think anything or
our table fit 10 be eaten, said |, and | almos
started at the sound of my own voice-'yo,
had better live at home, if you are not satisfied
orelse provide me with decent servants.
cannot do everything-take care ofmy baby al
night, and get the breakfast too
i did not know before that | was so uerl
unreasonable, said he in tone of injured feel
ing. He sat a few minutes, then rose, left hi
untasted breakfast, put on his hat and went off
When heard the door shut behind him
all my temper left me. went to my room
locked myself in, sat down and cried like
child. This was the first cross ,Oord ha'
ever spoken to my husband. 1t seemed TO m
as if some sudden calamity had befallen me-
| worked myself up 10 such pitch of feeling
that | walked about the room, wringing m.
hands,
%, it is all over with u.s. thought | (; wv
shall never be happy together again in thu
world This thought made me unspeakabl.