Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1856-09-26
WHO'S TO Blame,

One evening, the fastidious Harry
Wentworth, on coming home tired and
depressed, found his wife in the parlor,
dressed in soi}ed morning gown, and a
pair Of slippers down at the heel. Toin-
crease his vexation. she was sitting in an
easy chair, with one leg crossed over the
other, reading a trashy novel.
Why, Fanny - he he exclaimed in
amaZemeut. for they had been married
only few months, aud hitherto he had
thought her the pink of neatness.
Well, what is it ?'' she asked, look
ing up. Then noticing the direction of
his eyes. she assumedea more becoming
position. a. You don't like my dress. per-
haps, she continued "but really, l
was too tired to change it,
I" What have you been doing. all day?"
said Harry.
"oh. reading this." she replied /; she
colored as she held up the book. and ad )
ded. I" and then it has been so warm.''
Now her husband had been hard at
work all through the sultry summer day.
and had, as usual with him when busy,
dined at his Office. Yet his attire va
neat. and even his hair newly brushed !;
for he had gone 10 his chamber to do this
before coming into the parlor. It may
be supposed. therefore, that he was an.
noyed at the slovenliness of his wife, the
more so, as. on looking at her novel, he
found it was quite a worthless affair He
said nothing, however, except, AT least
change your slipper my dear. You don't
know how I dislike to see lady slip
shod." t
'Do yoa how odd 81 said his wife,
with silly laugh. STOPPING to pull up the
heels of her shoes. q There, that will
do. 1 think. l really can't walk so far
as the chamber this warm evening.
wish you would ring for tea, the bell is
just by you. as want to finish this chap
ter"
- Her husband sighed, and did as he
was bid. The tea came up. and he took
his seat, but the chapter was not yet
concluded. and SO he was compelled to
wait. When, at last, Mrs. Wentworth
came to the tea table the tea was cold
The meal, under those circumstances was
dull one, and the husband, after tea
was over, finding his wife absorbed in her
book, lay down on the sofa, aud finally
went to sleep. a@
Mrs. Wentworth had been the belle Of
the town before her marriage. Her
sprightliness and beauty had been the
theme of constant admiration. But all
these qualities would have failed to have
won Harry Wentworth's heart, If they
had not been sustained by an exquisite
taste in dress. See Fanny when you
would. she was always carefully attired =:
and as Harry Wentworth was particular
Iy fastidious on this point, he thought
himself the happiest Of men when Fanny,
one bright summer evening promised to
be his. 80
But unfortunately the bride had no re-
al fondness for neatness, but only love
of admiration. 1t was vanity that had
induced her while single to be carcFut OF
her dress; but now that she was married ,
she gradually gave way To her natural
indoleuce. The first occasion on which
she did this to any very glariny extent,
was the eve; ing on which our story opens;
but it was 500" followed up by other ex-
hibi,ions of slovenliness.
a. do wish. Fanny. that you would
dress more neatly" said Mr.. Wentworth
in a vexed voice. some months later still.
Night after night come home and find
you in that atrocious wrapper"
"You used to think me pretty enough
in any Dress" retocted Mrs. Wentworth,
testify.
"But never saw you in one like that
before We were married." replied her
husband. ..-
To be sure not." said Mrs. Went
worth. and she laughed ironically.
always dressed for company. then, and 1
do so now"
What could Mr.. Wentworth say If
his wife did not think it necessary to be
neat in his presence-did not consider
him worthy of pleasing as the compare
tive strangers whom she called company
it was useless TO argue with her; so,
after tea, the slipshod heels still annoy
ing him. with perceptible hole in the
stocking to increase that annoyance, he
moodiIy took his hat and left the house.
AT first Mr.. Wentworth walked up
and down the street. but at last fatigued
with this he stepped into debating room
attached to a tavern. Here he met sew
eral acquaintances. and gradually falling
into conversation, the evening passed ra.
pidly away.
When he went home Mrs. Wentworth
looking very sleepy. and little out Of
humor, accosted him with Where in
the world have you been? i finished my
novel an hour ago. and have had nobody
to talk to ever since. am moped to
DEATH There was time" she added,
poutingly, 't when nothing in the world
would have induced you 20 spend an ev-
snIng away from me-