The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1853-01-04
From the American Union.
THE FIRST CROSS WORD.

Il was romantic girl, as you we'll knew
hate. Some few friends had, whom love
dearly; but these friendships did not quite sa
isfy my heart. Something more it craved.
hardly know what until loved my husband
think people were often surprised to see u
continue to enjoy each others society with S
much zest
But there was this about it, As yet, ha
nothing 10 try me. We wero boarding ha
nocare, and his interest and tenderness was
sovereign panacea for the littlc als ohd rotgl
nesses which must fall to us in our best estate
This could not last, however. forever. He be
came more and more occupied in his business
and at length had u house and baby to loo
alter. Thon, for the first time, our mutuu
forbearance was put to the test. Hitherto W
had beon devoted to each other; now the rea
care OF life pressed upon us SO bitten as reall
TO absorb our energies. | was the first 10 fee
the change. Ii seemed TO me as il somethin.
was Overwhelming me. Sometimes / woul,
get sentimental, and think he did not love m,
as he once did. AS look back now, 1 an
now convinced that here was my first wron
step.@
"Once, had for some time carried abou
| thisfittle sore spot in my heart. l kept tn,
matter all TO myself, for was in part ashamed
and in part, too proud to speak of it. Her,
was another wrong step There is no securit,
for happiness in married life but in the mos
perfect confidence.
There came a season ofdamp chilly wealth
or. One morning got up feeling very irrita
bic. had taken co!d my head ached, and
the baby had been worrisome during the night
In my kitchen had cross, ignorant servant
girl; and on this particular occasion she had
done her very worst for breakfast. The beef.
steak was burned to cinder, the eggs were
like bullets, tho bread was half-baked, and
the coffee, which was our main stay, wis exc
cradle. My husband was very patient with al
this. until we came To the coffee, and this up
set him. He put his cup down, and said in q
half-yexed tone-'I do wish we could ever
have any good coffeel Annette why caGto,
You have it made as mother does:
This was dfop too much for me, and ]
boiled over.
You never think anything on our table fit
to be eaten, said l, and almost started at the
sound of my own voice. You had better live
at home, if you are not satisfied, or else provide
me with decent servants. l cannot do every
thing-take care of my baby all night, and
get the breakfast, tool
Il did not know before that was so very
unreasonable said ho in tone osinjured feel
ing. He sat few minutes, then rose, left his
untosted breakfast, put on his hat and went
off.
When heard tho door shut behind him, all
my temper left me. / went into my room,
locked myself in, and sat down and cried like
a child. This was tho first cross word | had
ever spoken to my husband. 1t seemed to me
rs if some sudden calamity had befallen us.
worked myself up to such pitch of feeling
that walked the room wringng my hands,
oh, it is all over with us!' thought !; we
shall never be happy together again in this
world! This thought made mo unspeakably
miserable. 1Fet os if black pail had fallen
around me, and in the future there was only
blank darkness In my misery, | sought to
comfort myself by blaming him. He need
not have spoken so to me, at any rate said
/, out loud; 'he might have seen low{ felt; it
was too much for any one to bear. 1t really
was not one bit kind in him. 1t is plain enough
that he docs not care for my comfort as he
once did, Then TO be always telling me what
nice things his mother cooks, when he knows
am trying TO do my very best to learn to
please him! 1t is really too badl
Don't look so dreadfully sober, Kate NV
baby cried just here, and | had to run before |
was through with my catalogue of grievances.
yet had gone tar enough to get well on the
wrong track again. began 10 calm myself
with the reflection that if there had been n
great wrong done, L was not the only one 10
hlnmo g.. IL ,~e dreadful sv,Iy ,h~t Lsi
spoken cross to him, but thought he ought
20 be sorry, too. Before my baby had finished
,rying. came to the conclusion that would
not exhibit signs of penitence until saw some
n him.
So | baihed my face. that no traces of tears
night remain. dressed myself with unusual
,are, and went down to old Bridget, to give
some very particular directions about the din
Ter, | did this with u martyr-like spirit |
meant to try my best to make him sorry for
Ills injustice. l resolved to reproach him
With first rate dinner, good as his mother CO.. d
,ook. To whet the edge of my delicate re-
,roof made, with my own hands, most ex
,elent cup of coffee
'One O'Clock came ut last, though thought |
t never would: the door opened, and | heard |
lis quick step in tho hall. Of all things in |
he world he was whistling! He camo to the |
able with bright face, fro IN which overy |
raco ofthc mornings cloud had disappeared,
ind as he sat down, looked around with
pleased expression
why, Annette said he, what nice dinner
Il am glad you ire pleased, said l. in sub |
lued tone
Capital said he, the best roast meat we
AVE had this season.
WIS 81 iiuCl tdhcu up VIII my
eproofs as not TO notice that l was out of |
pifits, was half pleased and half provoked
'ut kept rather still, making little converse
ion excepting in reply to him.
After desert, handed him his cup of coffee
fe was quito astonished.
'Why, Annette said he, Il do believe you
vent to work to-day to SEQ what you could do.
'IIc had hit the truth, though without the
east suspicion of the cause. My first impulse
vas, T., be honest and out with il by replying.
SIS il as good as your mother makesT
This would have given him the key TO the
vholo story-he would have ferreted it all out,
nd we should havo settled it there; but 1 felt
shamed to. slipped my coffee in silence
The golden momout passed, and my good an
.e took his flight. Pride had the day. / even
'egan to be vexed at bis enjoying good din
'er so much, and so easily forgetting what had
aused me so mnch SUFFERING. He was very