The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-03-11
Mlisrcllaneuus.
THE CROSS HUSBAND.

Mrs. Carwell had been married but little
more than a year, when her friend, Mrs
Marston, dropped in upon her one morn
ing, and found her convulsed with weep
| ing.
"My dear Laura" exclaimed Mrs
Marston, in astonishmcnt, Chow happens
it that you, who were the most cheerful
light-hearted of maidens, have become an
unhappy wife Has your brief experience
in married life been so bitter -
40, no." replied Laura, drying her
tears and endeavoring to appear cheerful
my husband is one of the best men-he
loves me, and our child is great source of
joy and comfort. O, no, my experience
has not been bitter"
Il am glad to hear it," rejoined Mrs.
Marston."
True," said Laura, smiling family,
" | was gay and thoughtless creature. 1
believe was too happy, [ ought to have
been made to know something about the
cares of life, before marriage. AS it is, |
entered matrimony as a child flies joyously
into garden full of flowers, only to find
there are sharp thorns among the sweet
thyme"
In what have you found the sharp
thorns and spiteful bees of married life to
consist :" asked Mrs. Marston.
Nothing worth naming-nothing Of
Importance" replied Laura blushing.
Indeed, l ought not to think of my little
troubles"
"But what are these little troubles ~
insisted her companion. "Come, [ shall
give you no peace until you tell me and ]
am a great teaser you know, when | choose
to be. Does Mr.. Carwell spend his eve
nings away from home 20
90, no."
"Does he firt with other ladies :"
" No, indeed. He is very attentive to
me. He never visits without me-"
"Perhaps, then, he is too attentive.
Husbands sometimes are, [ am told ;
though l am sure the accounts we have of
such mortals, must be altogether fabulous. "
think SOD
cit must be then, Mr. Carwell does not
provide well for his family. But know
nc Is HOt peuurlOuS.
"'Penurious :" exclaimed Mrs. Carwell,
" he is the most generous man alive, l
have every thing l can DESIRE"
"Ah! it is the extreme which troubles
you," said Mrs. Marston. "I see your
husband is too extravagant. In his eager
ness to make you happy, he neglects to
pay the butcher and baker: and frequent
visits from certain unwelcome acquaintance
annoy your sensitive nature. 1t is indeed
very provoking to have ones attention
called dozen times day to some small
BILL"
81 beg you don't suspect Mr.. Carwell
Of any such neglect" interrupted Laura.
Il" His bills are promptly settled"
"Then your domestics torment you. If
they are ill-natured or stupid, or lazy, or
dishonest, turn them away"
81 have been very fortunate with my
girls, | am happy to say"
"Then do tell me what troubles you
have. can think of nothing else. l
should say you are the happicst woman in
the world, if l had not caught you crying"
"I tell you I am happy. have no
troublc-that is, no serious trouble, ox-
cept when Mr.. Carwell appears can't
explain myself, but you know, suppose,
that men are not always in good humor."
cha, ha have got it at last !" cried
Mrs. Marston. {" see it-so your hus-
band is cross sometimes, is he Z"
60, not exactly cross-O, no !" muir
INJURED Laura. Indeed he is very kind
hearted; /; but he has got into a way Of
finding fault with cverything-that is,
everything except me, all this too, with
lout knowing half the time what he says.
He scolds about the cooking, without sus-
pecting how much he hurts my feelings.
lfor l oversee it myself, and try hard
lenouph to please him." added Laura, while