The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-11-28
to sec IL the biscuit were ready. q declare
this is the mcanest oven ever saw. II will
not bake wo.th cent
,Uavs vor inst found n out7'

ConuohhuihB oseA shAhb w
hand. She was not suited. Everythin
and everybody were out Of joint. Nothin
went right, nobody could do anything
suit her.
John Paley was not particularly happ
in his domestic relations. The porcupin
temper OF his wife was u continual annoy
anee to him. It was very hard to use HI
best endeav0rs to please her, and always fai
| He had tried to study her wishes, but the
we're mere capriccs, and in despair he CAV
up his attempt. Nothing that he could d
would please her, nothing but she f0un
fault with him.
u.-sEcoSD DAY.
John Paley was ofan easy temper. Ii
was disposed to make the best of things q
he found them but there was no such thinl
as compromising with incessant grumbling
Unlike many Others, he could not be driver
to the dram-shop, or even to the usua
haunts ofloafers in the country places. Ill
was obstinately bent on staying at home il
tie evening. lie was fond of reading, ant
home was the centre Of his thoughts, Ever
the perversity of his wife could not eradi
cate this deeply seated love Of home
Still home was nota pleasant place to hin
ut least, not half as pleasant as 1t might be
Mary loved him-he could not doubt that
During long illness the winter before, sh'
had been unremitting in her devotion. A
piece of red hot iron flew into his eye, Sc
that the ball of il had nearly run out. HI
had suffered the most intense agony. by
day he groaned with anguish, and he saw
the tears his wife fall as she witnessed
his suffering. By night, while he tossed in
agony, she watched by him, nor slumbered
nor slept for week. His pain was hers
and while he suaerep, she never complained
of the watching and privation that his i'll
ness occasioned, she never used an ungentle
word, even when, worn out with suffering,
he became testy and inpatient.
She loved him she could sacrifice all her
comforts to him, and why should he not
bear with her infrmity? Should he, who
had been 80 tenderly watched over, who had
been nursed and cherished so devotedly by
her, cast her out-should his affection be q
lienated from her?
1t is true, her failing was grevious one.
II give him continual uneasincss 1t kept
him harrassed from one weeks end to an
other. 1t almost enbttered his very exist.
ence.
81 will cure her." said John, while ne
was going home one day, rs an idea pene-
rrated his brain. " She will find fault with
me when I carry tins Les of veal home. 1t
will DO either too large or too small, too fat
or too lean, too good or too bad. i will
cure her."
Mary did find fault with the veal-it wai
too fat, aud too large, and too good for per-
sons in their circumstances. But John held
his peace and sat down to supper.
"what sort of ten is this" said he al
he pushed the cup petulantly from him.
"what Is the matter with it'" said
b;s wice. a,tonished at such display o
spunk on his part.
alt it is strong Of the hot water.
should like to get decent cup Of tea once
in my life."
"why John"
at is nothing but dish-water."
81 am sorry II don't suit you"
alt never suits me-" added John rs hi
broke open buiscut.
.'Neyer suits you"
"No;" and ut the same moment he threw
the broken biscuit book upon the plate
"Salcratus again."
"what is the matter with the biscuit
John ?" asked Mrs. Paley, amazed ut the
singular conduct Of her husband.
"There are great junks of saleratus in it
If taere is anything dctest it is the tast'
of saleratus in bread"
Mary took the broken biscuit and exam
incd il. Their is only single yellow specl
to he seen in Il.
"There II ony one little place will Gu
i. out. Pray take another"
John did take another and broke !
open but perceived another speck of tn
offensive substance, scarcely bigger than tn
head ofa pin.
Haven't you any cold bread'" he ask
ed, as he threw it back upon the plate.
"Tbere is none in tho house." replies
poor Mary. ready ty burst into tears wit
grief and ve1ation.
+" Give me piece Of pie then."
Mary gave him piece.
"Sour rs swill !" exclaimed he as h
pushed his plate from him.
Mary brought mince pie.
"Strong enough Of cloves to strangle
fellow sid he. "Stranse I can't g
ANYTHING that is ct to eat"
The poor wife could dear no me. lie
evesllled with tears and she sobbcd alout
John was not disposed to carry the lesso
any farther. Mary, much As she foun
| fault herself, was extremely sensitive, an
she could not endure the slightest ccnsur'
MARY, my dear, do not weep, said b
|, going to her, and imprinting o kiss on h
check.
i What is the matter with you, John-yc
never behaved like this before
Il was only holding up a mirror to you
!, you can tell how | feel, when you find fau
with everything l do
Il never win again.
My own Mary! Forgive mo i'll caus
r II"