Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-11-13

ECU W ICludtA A0AS NAOAS
"Why, I should like it well enough"
sAh, but you WOULD not be willing tt
try it.
Eyes, I would = said George, at q ven
ture.
..Win you remain here every evening
next week, and let me spend my time
among my female friends p
"Certainly / will, !" be replied "and
assure you | shall not be SO lonesome as yol
imagine "
With this the huss.na sent out, and was
soon among his friends. He was steady
industrious man, and loved his wife truly
but like thousands Of others he had contrac
ted . habit of spending his evenings abroad
and though it no harm. His only practica
idea Of home seemed to be that it was a place
which his wife took care Of and where he
could eat, drink, and sleep, as long as he
could paw for it. In short he treated it as
sort Of private boarding house, Of which his
wife was landlady; and ifhe paid all the bills
he considered his duty done. His wife had
frequently asked him to stay at home with
her, but she had never ventured upon any
agreement before, and he had no conception
of how much she missed him. She always
seemed happy when he came home and he
supposed she could always be 50.
Monday evening came, and George Will
son remained true to his promise. His wife
put on her bonnet and shawl and he said he
would remain and keep house,
"What will you do while I'm gomez" EN-
ma asked.
ooh. I shall read and sing, and enjoy
myself generally"
The wife went out and the husband was
left alone. He had an interesting book and
he began to read it. He read till s o'clock
and then he began to yawn and look frequent
| ly at the clock The book did not interest
him as usual Ever and anon he would
come to a passage which he knew would
please his wife, and instinctively he turned
as though he would read it loud, but there
was no wife to to hear it. At half-past eight
he rose from his chair and began to pace the
floor and whistle. Then he went and got
his flute and played several Of his favorite
airs After this he got chess board and
played a game with an imaginary partner
Then he walked the floor and whistled again
Finally the clock struck nine and his wife
returned.
.'Well, George" said she, Il am back
in good time. How have you enjoyed your
self?"
"Capitally," returned the husband q
had no idea it was 50 late | hope you have
enjoyed yourself I"
s..oh, splendidlyn' said his wife. Il
had no idea how much enjoyment there was
away from home Home is dull place
after all, isn't it -
Pm glad of that" retorted Emma, ssfol
we shall both enjoy ourselves now. YoJ
shall have nice week of it."
George WINGED at this, but he kept his
countenance, and he determined to stand il
out
On the next evening Emma prepared t
50 out again.
II shall be back in good time" she said
"Where are you going?'' her husband
asked.
ooh, I can't tell exactly. I may go tc
| several places.
So George Wilson was left alone again,
and he tried to amuse himself as before but
he found it difficult task. Ever and anon
he would cast his eyes upon the empty
chair and the thought would come, chow
pleasant it would be if she were only here y
The clock struck nine and he began to listen
for the step Of his wife, Half an hour more
slipped by, and he became very nervous and
| uneasy
II DECLARE" he muttered to himself,
after he had listened for some time in vain,
this is too bad She ought not to stay out
SO late"
But he happened to remember that he Of
ten remained away much later than that, SC
he concluded that he must make the best Of
it.
At a quarter to ten Emma came heme.
"a little late, am I not?" she said, look
| ing up at the clock. .sBut | fell in with
some old friends. How have you enjoyed
yourself?"
First rate returned George bravely.-
Il think home is capital place"
ESPECIALLY when man can have it al
to himself" added the wife with sidelons
glance at her husband But he made NJ
reply.
On the next evening, Emma prepared t.
60 out as before; but this time she kisset
her husband ere she went, and seemed t,
hesitate.
"Where do you think Of going ?" Georg'
asked in an under tone.
Il may drop in to see Uncle John "repliet
Emma. However, you wont be uneasy
You'll know I'm safe,''
-"Oh, certainly" said her husband bu
when left to his own reflection, he began t.
ponder seriously upon the subject thus pre-
sented for consideration. He could no
read he could not play-nor enjoy himsel
in any way, while the chair was empty Il
short, he found that home had no real com
fort without his wife. The one thing need
ed to make his home cheerful was not pres
| ent
II Declare" he said to himself, Il di
not think it would be so lonesome. An,
can it be that she feels as l do when she i
here all alone? 1t must be so,'' he pursue,
thoughtfully; is just as she says. Befor
we were married she was very happy in he
childhoods home. Her parents loved her
and her brothers and sisters loved her, AM
they did all they could to make her comfort
able"
After this he walked up and down til,
room several times and then stopp cd again
and cormuned with himself