The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1857-04-01
The Orderly Wife.

Reader, will you take peep with me into
the interior of a dwelling, in one Of our large
towns? We will look into the parlors. The
folding doors are open, and both are furnished
SO exactly alike, that we feel inclined to rub
our eyes and ask ourselves If we really see
two rooms-we have Slight fear that we are
laboriny under an optical illusion. The ,furni-
ture, though not very expensive, IS choice and
elegant, but IN It's arrangement, more atten-
ton has been given to order than to taste. The
eoms have an orderly, unused look, which de-
stroys every home feeling. renders them chill
ing and gloomy, and unfit for social enjoyment
The chairs, ranged at equal distances, and so
desperately fresh and clean, have a repelling
appearance; the very ornaments have sort Of
books seem to shut themselves tight, with
firm determination never to store brain with
their contents. i
81 On a pleasant afternoon, once upon time,
a lady was seated in one of these parlors, with
some needle work. A door leading to the hall
was open, a window was raised, and the shut
ters thrown back, and the beautifully embroid
cred white curtains looped up; but there was
dust in the street. and the light was only al
lowed to steal through the richly painted, semi
transparent blinds The lady was, as the peo
pie would say, weldressed, that is she was
dressed in the reigning mode, but there was
something in the methodcal arrangement Of
all she wore and in the regularity of every
movement, that made one long to see straight
lines and unbroken angles converted into small
curves Her neck was straight and stiff; her
head had evidently none Of the bad habits Of
lolling head; her elbows held themselves a.
kimbo, like pair Of well-trained, alert elbows,
that never were guilty of friction with any
thing Her hair, parted in a straight line pre-
cisely on the top Of her head, had long been
cured of its natural mobid inclnatian to curl,
and alsthe hairs were now marshacd like so
many horizontal soldiers. Her face was a very
there was fixed expression Of watchfu,,. fret
full anxiety, that darkIy veled all beauty.
"A light firm step sounded in the hall, and
gentleman, with a tall, fine figure, and good
humored, intellectual countenance,7 appeared
at the door, He spoke in a rich voice, with a
gay tone and brilliant smile.
SO, Amelia you have really opened the par
lors for once. and | certainly wish - II
T. Why, Charles, in a hurried tone, you seem
to forget that the foot mat is designed for use.
There's no mud,s Amelia, the walks are all
perfectly dry ...
But there is dust surely ii
He paused, and with a half-impatient, halo
amused look, wi ped the dust from his feet.
Carelessly throwing his hat upon sofa, he
took chair and seated himself near her. His
wife rose quietly, and deposited the hat in its
place in another apartment.
How happensil that these rooms are open
ed?' be inquired, as she returned, looking all
around with somewhat comical expression.
Mrs. B. told me the LIS would call here to-
day; they leave town tomorrow
.Where are Amelia and Mary?' he asked
In the nursery g. II - 1@.
I wish you would send for them; I've not
seen them since morning.. t s.vg s..- .
.Serely, Charles, you would not have those
children brought into these rooms?
why not?' "za ''. --4 .~t
You know very well they would ruin every
thing here in a few moments e.,
Well, let them be brought into. the sitting
room a.
L think the nursery altogether the best place
for them; it is sufficient for them to keep one
room in constant disorder - '% -Ft
L wish rour bump of order was in Jericho.
l should think you would want those children
to have the range of the house. Nothing can
be more refreshing than they are, with all their
music, beauty and grace. / don't care if they
do soil things little, and l am beginning to
hate this funeral order. Let US join them in
the nursery,lf they must be cooped up there
You can, if you choose, but had better
remain here @a D-'~ -"@2* 5@ -7@ @--@n
If those people call, can'tyou be summon
ed Instantly a.sa s-r a .s--
Yes, but don't like to leave these rooms
when they are OPEN .<.
With a light laugh, why if some one should
come in and move a chair a hundredth part of
an inch from its place, you could putit back
in trce.' t-ss,r ....sa. ... .9s. .. .. <se.sgr
looked it over for awhile. He glanced at his
wife face, he was always the first to sue for
peace, because he knew that Amelia would
never propose terms herself, she was too sure
that5rght and reason were on her side.
He spoke with conciating look and tone.
Those people will hardly call tonight, l
think, Amelia -s".s"f@#E }s4 12& =s@s.
4 think MOTT is getting late.'agg au#
! declare he resumed, throwing his book
down upon the nearest chair, / am too weary
even for light reading; my head is completely
snarled with this intricate easel m trying. l be-
lieve music would do me good, will you play
for me?' st.f-s4 asa r--7 pep ss 5sLH
Yes, presently ..,a zs..5 rsz z...sGa s~s7g
He left the room. expecting her to follow;
but she tarlied to put the parlors in order and
place them safely under lock and key, work
requiring some time. sg. zs..rr.s.s q s. s...f
Impatient at her delay, Charles sauntered
TO the nursery, and returned with one rosy
dimpIed, smiling little girl in his arms; and
another rife with all the Eden loveliness Of
childhood dancing BY his side, just as Amelia
was seating herself at the piano. She cast a
look of apprehension and dismay at her off
spring; Of despairiny resignation at her con-
sort; and commenced playing, Charles threw
himself upon as many chairs as he needed for
a convenient couch, and took large book from
a table for pillow. Amelia climbed up be
side him, drew off a large coral necklace and
wound it about his head. Lille leaned against
an ottoman, and with intent look. poutins rose
bud lips, and slightly contracted brow, wearied
her little fingers trying topull the Worsted from
the flowers. Amelia did not see all this, her
|. . 4 L y I III