Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1856-10-08
Gales ano shetfbes.
THE WIFE's EXPERIMENT.


my pormanteau and fill il, viii run off
to New York for few days
"Ah!" Said Mrs. Stanley, arching
her eyebrows. son business r"
mo, not particularly. like to go
occasionally; and suppose that this
week would be quite as convenient
time, all things considered, as | could
choose"
So, with the belief that William had
something to call him from home that
he did not care to trouble herabout, like
the confding, trusting wife that she was
she packing the portmanteau, dropping
into it one item that had not been called
for tear, shed at the thought of her
coming loneliness.
Silly child that / am" she said has
tily wiping her eyes. 1.-TWO whole
years wife, and still so childish I'll
dry my tears, and be no longer foolish.
And yet, would he have gone away so
coolly year ago for no particular reason,
except that ne liked 10 occasionally Z?
Is he firing of me--me-who meant to
be to him the best OF wives, and make
his home like no other place on earth,
that he must leave me for SO paltry a
reason?" And pretty Mrs Stanley
looked quite detected as she went about
her work, and sought to drown unpleas-
ant thoughts in the performance of dali
ly duties.
William Stanley took the night train
for New York, telling his wife with a
good-humored, yet meaning smile, that
he should " be back again quite as soon
as she would be glad TO see him."
Gomez she calculated; "and for
how long time ! know not How
dreary the house seems! And how
shall | spend all these weary days? My
housewolk is but little, and, now there
is only myself to care for, will take bat
few hours of the day. Let me see.
I'll akt up some Of my girlish occupa-
tons. There is that ottoman cover,
that never was finished that pencil
drawing of the old homestead that ! was
complete and get framed that hand
kerchief half hen titehed for mother;
and then those songs that William bought
for me the other day. All, will finish
these odd jobs! Then they will be of
of my mind, and shall be 50 busy that
] shall not have time TO be miserable
What happy thought! Now, if were
"A real heroine, | should lie on the lounge
all,day, en- deShdt with not thought
for anything but myself, thinking, all
the time, that | soald not, if j could,
be gay" No, no; nothing Of that kind
will do for me. Away with melan-
cholyl' sang the little lady, as she too
the duster and proceeded to dust the
parlor.s
Her morning work finished, she went
upstairs, into the little attic room, where
things long forgotten were stored. Open
ing an old trunk, she seated herself or
a small chest, and commenced a review
of its contents. A neat pasteboard box
held the cloth and the gay worsteds
with which the ottoman cover was to
have been worked. The sight of these
renewed many youthful days, and she
searched the trunk to the bottom to see
what else ii might hold that had been
orgotten since she left her childhood
home. Here was bundle of letters
from her schoolmates-full of demon
strations of lasting friendship-friend.
ship that had not outlived the poor lit.
tie note-paper that had testified to its ex.
istence. Opening them, she became alb.
sorbed in their contents and hour after
hour rolled by, and the village bell rang
the hour of noon before Mrs. Stanley
was sufficiently recalled to the present
time to know that she was mistress of q
house of her own, instead of an occu-
pant of little old desk in yonder school
house on the hill, where ali these girl
ish letters had been received and answer.
ed.
"Well, well, / have had two pleasant
hours, and have lived over some happy
days. After dinner, will certainly
commence the work ] have planned
All the afternoon her fingers flew
merrily over the canvas, and at evening
the task was nearly completed.
"One hour more of work, and there
will be one bit more of furniture to sur
prise William with VIII n he returns.
When he returns Let me see that
viii probably be in about three or -four
days. Oh, dear, what long time ]
know | shall have the blues before he
gets hone. well, will try and keep
them off with employment. There is
that tulip bed to be weeded. I'll do II
now"
\ Wedding is hard work if faithfully
doner Mrs Stanley worked until, fol
WEAKNESS, she knew she could work nc
longer so going into the house. she seat
I'd herself in the western bow window
and, taking her knifting-vork. prepares
f for an hour of twilight rest and medita
tion. A city belle would have smiled
r at the homely occupation that bnSie,
, her fingers but our little heroine Wa
. comury-bred. and had MANY old-iasliion
d ed notions thar made her a happier wo
man taan she might Otherwise hav,
e been. The soit clicking OF a set of knit
!. ting needles had something in It's soun,
!. peculiarly quiesing and soothing Bus
0 people sometimes have tie feeling TIA