Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-11-08
WHO'S TO BLAME.

WHO'S TO BLAME.
One evening, the fstidious Harry Went
worth, on coming home tired and Depressed.
found his wife in the parur, dressed in soiled
morning gown, and wearing pair Of slippers
down at the heel. To increase lis vexation,
she WAS sitting in an easy chair, with one leg
crossed over the other. reading a trashy novel
why, Fanny" he exclaimed ia amaze
men,, iur they had been married only few
months, and hitherto he had thought her the
pink Of ueaiaess
"Well, what is il" she asked, loukine up.
Then noticing the directions of his eyes, she
assumed more becoming position. lyon
don't like my. dress, perhaps she continued
but really was too tired to change it,
What have you been doing all day r. said
Harry.
"Oh, reading this,' size replied she color
ed as she held up the book, and added, ''then
II has heen 50 warm!'
Now her husband had been hard al work all
through the sultry summer day, and had, as
was usual with him when busy, dined at his
Office. Yet his attire was neat, aud even his
hair newly brushed for he had gone 10 his
chamber to do this before coming inlo the par
lor. 1t may be supposed, therefore, that he
was annoyed at the slovenluess Of his wife, the
more so. OF looking a, the novel he G,und il
quite worthless aiiair. He said nothing.
however, except, "At least change yoar slim
pers, my dear You don't know how | dislike
to see lady siipshod.'
do you! how odd :" said his wife. with a
silly laugh, STOPPING to pull up the heels Other
shoes ''There, that will do. think. real
ly can't walk SO far as the chamber this warm
evening wish you would ring for tea. the
bell is iusi by you, as want to finish this
chapter"
I Her husband sighed but did as he was bid.
The lea came up, and he took his seat, but the
chapter was not vet concluded and 50 he was
compelled to wait. When, a. last. Mrs. Went.
worth came 10 the table. the lea was cold
/ Tie meal. under those circumstances. was 4
dull ono, and the husband after tea was over.
finding his wife absorbed in her book. Law down
on the sofa and finally wen, to sleep.
Mrs. Wentworth had been the belle of the
iowa before her marriage. Her sprightliness
and beauty had been the theme Of conslan, aA-
miration. But these qualities would have fail
cd to have won Harry Wontwor,h's heart. if
| they had no, been sustained BY a most exquisite
I taste in dress. See Fanny when yon would.
she was always carefully attired; and as Harry
\ Wentworth was particularly fistidious ON this
1 point, he thought himself the happiest Of men
( when Fanny, one bright summer evening, prom.
| sed to be his.
But unfmtunately, the bride had no real hab-
| lis of nealness, but only love Of admiration.
| 1t was vanity that had induced her, while SIN
gle, to be careful of her dress bu, now that
she was married, she gradually gave way 10
/ her natural indoence. The first occasion on
which she did this TO any rlaring extent. vas
the evening on which our story opens bu, it
was soou followed up by other exhibitions Of
sloyenness
II do wish, Fanny, that you would dress
more neatly" said Mr.. Wentworth, in yexcd
voice, some months later still. "Night after
night come home and fluid you in that afro
cious wrapper"
"Yon used to think me pretty enough in any
Dress" retorted Mrs. Wentworth. testify.
But hever saw you in one like that be-
/ fore we were married." replied her husband
"'To be sure not" said Mrs. Wentworth,
and she laughed ironically. ~ always dress
ed for company then, and do so now"
What could Mr.. Wentworth sayl If his