Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-08-05
Looking out for Wrinkles.
BY t. s. ARTHUR.

household of Mr.. Nicholson, and such storms,
we regret to say, had become rather frequent
in that household. Mr.. Nicholson was a
man of amiable temper, and kind feelings
but with defects of character that were often
particularly annoying to his wife, who made
everything stand around her, as the saying is.
Mr.. Nicholson was apt to forget and neglect,
two faults with which Mrs. Nicholson had no
patience, especially when his forgetting and
neglecting interfered with matters bearing
relation to her daily round of duties.
A thorough business training from youth
up to manhood, and the consequent habits of
order with methodical routine of doing
things insured to Mr.. Nicholson success as a
merchant. Without these important ad-
juncts to business, his naturally easy and ami
able qualities would have sadly interfered
with his material interests. But forgetfulness
is out of the question where punctuality is
strictly observed. 1t was out of his business
where Mr.. Nicholson's peculiar weaknesses
were seen. He was one of the class of men
who keep their wives waiting, and who de-
serve the seedlings they not unfrequently re-
ceive-who forget to execute the little house
hold commissions entrusted to them, and neg
lect, from day to day, and from week to week,
the doing of things absolutely necessary to
be done, in order to secure comfort at home.
Edward" Mrs. Nicholson might say, as
her husband is leaving for his place of
business in the morning "wont you stop
at the store as you 60 down, and tell Mr..
Perkins to send up bag of salt and gallon
Of vinegar"
"Certainly," Mr.. Nicholson answers, and in
way so cheerfully acquiescent, that his wife
feels pleasure in his manifest willingness to
oblige. But scarcely is Mr.. Nicholson ten
PAGES from his own door, ere some matter Of
business intrudes itself, and so fully occupies
his thoughts, that he passes the store of
Mr.. Perkins, and even mods to Mr.. Perkins
himself, without once thinking of the salt
and vinegar. Nor, until salt and vinegar
are thrown upon him from the face and lips
of his aggravated wife at dinner time, is he
again aware that such articles exist.
"It is too badw he may answer; or,
"what terrible memory l havew or, 81
deserve good scolding" But Mr.. Nichol-
son never resents his wife's use of salt and
vinegar in such cases. Her anger is but
passing storm, and he knows that the sky
will soon be clear again. Still, these out
breaks are by no means agreeable, and it is
one of his chief regrets, that Mrs. Nicholson's
handsome face is so often marred by un-
beautiful passion. He tries to be more
thoughtful in regard to her wishes, but hab-
it is strong and he goes on offending.
There had been, as we have intimated, one
of these too often recurring storms in the
household of Mr.. Nicholson. His wife had
said to him one morning-it is little re-
markable, knowing his particular infrmity,
that she so steadily persisted in burdening
him with commissions, not the half Of
of which were ever attended to
edward, won't you stop at Mr.. Black
wells as you 60 along, and ask Mrs. Black
well to send me up that pattern of basque
| lent her? Margaret is coming this morn
ing to make one for me. She can only give
me part of to-day. Now, don't forget it,
please"
"a basque pattern, did you say?" Mr..
Nicholson was always ready to oblige his
wife.
eyes Mrs. Blackwell will know the pat
tern mean. Tell her would have sent
for it, but that have only one girl this week,
and she is so cross that it is almost as much
as my life is worth to ask her to do anything
out of the kitchen"
Hadn't you better send note?" suggest
ed Mr.. Nicholson.
It's not worth while. Mrs. Blackwell
will know what / mean. It's pattern l
lent her few days ago. Now don't forget,
Edward. Remember that Margaret will be
here this morning, and she can't do anything
until she gets the pattern"
III attend to it," said the husband, as he
parted from his wife. But he didn't attend
TO it; and it was foolish thing in Mrs.
Nicholson, knowing his infrmity, to entrust
him with any commission of Importance
Almost past the door of Mrs. Blackwell he
went, without thought of the basque COM
ing into his mind, and he kept on to his store,
remaining altogether oblivious on the subject.
In due time Margaret arrived, as per en-
gagement. Everything was ready for her,
except the basque pattern, and that was still
to be received from Mrs. Blackwell. Mrs.
Nicholson was considerably annoyed by this
delay, and talked out her feelings to Margaret
pretty freely, as women of her peculiar tenn
perament are wont to do on such occasions.
She had two or three theories touching the