The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-10-23

I cblh VIC ucicNls iu lud-NtiN sinah "
his eyes even after they were pointe,
out by his mother-werc things OF m
moment. He ha not intended her 10
household drudge. Was she not Low
ing-hearted, accomplished and beautiful
True, he had intended her for the pre-
siding genius Of his home; and ther,
were sober, matter-of-fact things to b,
done in all homes. But her devotion t.
these would come in good time.
How Edward came TO speak as he DID
about the tea and toast was, almost on
the instant he had given utterancc to hi,
words, a mystery to himself He started
with the start he gave his his Young wife,
and trembled for the effect ofhis unkind.
" uttered words. He would have given
much could he have recalled them. But
they were said beyond any power of un-
sayirg.
The reference of his mother TO the in
different tea with which she had been
served at his table, had not only mortified
him. but made something's distinct in his
memory, which, before, were only seen
dimly, and as matters OF indifference
Where all was so bright, why shoald he
turn his eyes upon few fragments of
clouds skirting the far horizon! lie
would not have done 80 ii left to himself.
The clouds might have spread until very
much larger than a mans hand, before
their murky aspect would have drawn
his happy vision from the all.peryading
brightness.
lda's hand, which was raising cup to
her lips, fell almost as suddenly as if
palsicd; palencss ovenprcad her coun-
teuance; her lips had motion between
a Iuiyer and a spasm. From her eyes,
which seemed bound, rs bya spell, to her
husbands face, tears rolled out and fell
in large drops over her cheeks.
Never before, since Edward had look
cd upon that dear young face, had he
seen Its brightness so yeilcd. Never be-
fore, had word of his been answered by
but smiles and love responses.
am sorry, Edward" How the sad,
voice Of Ida rcbuked thcyoung
husbands unkindncss. 1T shall not be
70 again" fr- ..... ..
And she kept her word. Suddenly he
had awakened her from bright, dreamy
illusion. She had been in kind OF
The hard, everyday working
world. with its common working-day
wants. by an unlookcd-!or shifting OF
scenery, had struck with an unlovcly as
pect upon her startled viSion-thc Jagged
edges Of the real wounding painfully her
soft ideal. But, once awakened, she rev-
cr slept again. Ii was the first shadow
that fell dimly and coldly upon her mar
ried heat-the first, and to the life cx-
We need not say the last.
Burnt toast and bad tea! To think
that common things like these should
have power to shadow young heart
basking in the sunlight oflove. Idahad
thought OF her husband as almost indit-
fercnt TO the vulgar wants hiswords made
manifest. She saw clearer now. He
was but flesh and blood like the rest.
Nery-very tenderly spoken all the
words of Edward to his young wife, dur
inc the shadowcd evening that followed
this first dimming of their home-light.-
And Ida, who felt the kindness OF his
heart, tried to smile and to seem rs of
old. But, somehow, she could not force
into existence the smiles she wished to
send out as tokensof forgiveness. Tho'ts
OF the bad tea and burnt toast, the usual
-ah. there lay thcsmart evening en-
tertain mcnt she had proytdcd; or, rath-
or, suffered TO be provided by unskiltul
hands-were her own any more skilfil
for her returning husband, haunted her
all the while.
at shall not be so again" Not idly
uttered were these words. All the even
ing she kept repeating them to herself,
with steadily increasing purpose and a
clearer vision. Edward shall neverhavc
another occasion for rebuke."
Several times during the evening, the
young husband was tempted TO refer to
the conversation held with his mother. in
explanation OF his own conduct, bat Inc
wisely kept his own counsel. Ofal things
he dreaded an estrangemcnt between IN
wife and mother.
On the next morning, Edward noticed
that his Young wife left their chamber
earlier than usual, and went down stairs
Not, however, TO fiji their home with
music, rs she had often done. Her mat
inee was the singing tea-kettle, not tn,
stringcd piano. She had heightened
color. when she took her place at th,
breakfast table, and poured for her hus
band the fragrant cctfec, made with heI
own hands because she had discovered
that her indifferent cook was ignorant o
her art. How did she know the art i
was almost accidental; the recollection
OF some good housewives talk had serve,
her in the right time. The warm prsis'
bestowed BY Edward on the coffee VA
ample reward. -'... r'..- '..'
Ida bought cook book during tn,
day. That sounds unromantic. But
Was even 80; she studied it for hour'
During the afternoon her mo:her-in-lav
came in; and Ida urged her to stay I,
tea. The old lady accepted the invita-
ton; not, we arc sorry TO say. in tn
very best spirit. She had opened tn
way on Edwards "butterfiy" young wife
and she meant to follow it up. Whel
Edward, came home and found that hi
mother was there his spirits fell. He sa,
by the corners of her mouth, that she ha'
not forgotten their interview of the pre-
ceding day; and that her state Of min'
was nota whitmore charitable. lda's fac
was little shadowcd; but she was cheer