M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1858-11-11

OHi oh"ll lSau auu SluSi anu Sh'
Joy myself generally"
every WE'LL" said Emma. 81 shall
be back early"
The wife went out, and the husband
was left alone. He had an interest
ing book, and he began to read it.
He read till eighto'Clock, and then be
began to yawn, and look frequently
at the clock. The book did not inter.
est him as usual. Ever and anon he
would come to a passage which he
knew would please his wife, and in
stinctively he turned as though he
would read it aloud, but there was no
wife to hear it. At half-past eight he
rose from his chair and began to pace
the floor and whistle. Then he got
his flute, and played several Of his
Itavorite airs. After this he got a
chess,board and played a game with
an imaginary partner. Then he walked
the floor, and whistled again. Final.
| " the clock struck nine and his wife
returned.
"Well, George" said she, 81 am
back in good time. How have you
enjoyed yourselfp
"Capitally," returned the husband.
81 had no idea it was late. hope you
have enjoyed yourself"
"Oh, splend:dly!" said his wife. 81
had no idea how much enjoyment there
was away from home. Home is dull
place, after all-isn't itp
"Why-no-I can't say that it is"
returned George, carelessly. sin
fact" he added, Il rather like it,"
"Tm glad Of that" retorted Emma,
"for we shall both enjoy ourselves
now. You shall have a nice, COM
Portable week of it."
George WINGED at this, but he kept
his countenance and determined to
stand it ont.
On the next evening Emma prepar-
ed to 60 away again.
81 shall be back in good time, she
said
"Whcre are you going'" her hus,
band asked.
ooh, l can't tell exact y. may
90 to several places"
SO George Wilson was left alone
again, ard he tried to annse himself
as before; but he found it a difficult
task. Ever and anon he would cast
his eyes upon that empty chair, and
the thought would come, GLOW pleas
ant it would be if she were here!"--
The clock finally 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.
81 declare" he muttcred to himself
after he had listened for some time in
vain "this is too bad. She oughi not
to stay out SO late!" But he happened
to remember that he often remained
away much later than that, so he con,
cluded that he must make the best OF
Il.
At a quarter to ten Emma came
home.
"a little late, am not9" she said,
looking up at the clock. "But ! fell
in with some old friends. How have
you enjoyed yourself"
First rate" returned George,
bravely. 81 think home is a capital
place!"
Especially when a man can have
it all to himself" added the wife with
a sidelong glance a: her husband. But
lie made no reply,
On the next evening Emma pre-.
pared to 60 cut as before; but this time
she kissed her husband ere she went,
and seemed to hesitate.
"Where do you think Of going|
George asked, in an unde1tone.
81 may drop in to see Uncle John"
replied Emma. However. you won't
be uneasy. You'll know I'm SAFE"
"Oh, certainly" said her husband;
but when left to his own reflections he
began to ponder seriously upon the
subject thus presented tor considera-
tor. He could not read; he could
not play; nor enjoy himself in any
way, while that chair was empty
In short, he found that home had no
real comfort without his wife. The
one thing needed to make home cheer,
iul was not present.
81 declare" he said to himself, 81
did not think It would be so lonesome.
And can it be that she feels as | do,
when she is here all alone! 1t must
be So" he pursued, thoughtfully. sit
is Just as she says. Before we were
married, she was very happy in her
childhood's home. Her parents loved
her, and her brothers and sisters loved
her, and they did all they could to
make her comfortable"
After this he walked up and down
the room several times, and then stop.
ped again and communed with him
self.
tII .o,sL otooJ ,l;o y oo;1 bo HI