Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-11-04

all alone"
"No, If il was my place of business - ]
is yours, returned the young man. "Yo'
are used to staying here. All wives be
long Al hone."
"Just remember. my husband. that Prs
vinus TO our marriage, l had pleasant society
all the time. OF course remsined st homt
much of my time; but bad . father and I
mother there, and had brothers and sister
there. and our evenings were happily spent
Finally gave al up for you. left the
old home, and sought home with ny hus.
band. And now, have not right to ex'
pest some of your eompanionship. How
would you like it to have me awsy every
evening, while you were obliged to remair
here alopef"
~Why, should like Il well enough"
"Ah, bet you would not b willing to Try
@Yss, would. = said George. 1t q venture.
"Will yeu remain here every evening next
week. and let me spend my time among my
feuale friends!"
"Certainly will" he replied; aaud l
assure you shall not be % lonesome Is
you imagine"
With this the husband went out. and wss
soos among his friends. He was steady,
industrious man, and loved his vile traly;
but, like thousands o. others, he hsd con-
tracted habit of spending his evenings
sbroad, and thought |: no harm. His only
practical ides of home seemed 10 be, that
it was place which his wife took care of
and where he could eat, drink, and sleep, as
long as he could pay for it. In short. he
house, OF which his wife was landlady; and
if he paid all the bills, be considered bis
duty done. His wife had frequently asked
him to stay at home with her, but she bad
never veutured upon any argument before,
and he had no conception of how much she
missed him. She always seemed happy
when he came home, and be supposed she
could always be SO.
Monday evening came, and George Viii.
son remained true 20 his promise. His wife
put on her bonnet and shawl, and he said
he would remain and akeep house."
"Wnat will you do while am gone!"
Emma asked.
"Oh, shall read and sing, and enjoy my
self generally" RI
"Very well," SAID Emma. 81 shall be
back early"
The wife went out, and the husband was
left alone. He >nsd an interesting book.
aud be began to read it. He read till eight
O'Clock, and then be began to ys~n. aud
look frequently at the clock. The book did
not interest him IS usual. Ever and anon
he would come to q passage which he knew
would please his wife, and iustioetiveiy be
turned as though he would read it a:oud;
bu. shefe was rss,ws5eAe. hear IT. sAt half.
past eight he rose from his chair, and began
to pace the four. and whistle Then be
went and got his flute, and played several
of his favori,e airs. Alter :his he got 4
chess board, and played a game with an
imaginary partner. Then he walked the
floor, and whistleG agsin. Finally, the
clock struck nine, and his vile returned
"WeIl. George said she, 81 am back in
good time. How have YOU enjoyed your
self"
"Capitslly," returned the husband. 81
had no idea il was SO late. Ihope you have
enjoyed yourself"
"Oh, splendidIy!" said his wife. 81 had
no idea how much enjoyment there was
away from home. Home is 4 dull place,
after all, isn'titl
aWhy, mol cant say that It is," re-
turned George, carelessly. "In :sct." he
added, 81 rather like it." ~
aIsm glad of that," retorted Emma, "for
we shall both enjoy ourselves now. You
shall lave nice comfortable week Of it,"
George WINGED at this, but he kept his
and determined to stand it
out
On the next evening Emma prepared to
60 away again.
aI shall be back in good time," she said.
"Where are you goingp her husband
asked.
aOh, can't tell exactly. may 60 to-
several places"
So George Wilson was left alone again,
and he tried to amuse 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, "hoS pleasant
It would oe il she were herer The clock
finally struck niae, and he began to listen
for the step Of his wife. Half an hour
more slipped by, and he became very ner-
vous and uneasy.
al 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
Iate,"
But he happened to remember that he
often remained away much later than that,
so he concluded that be must make the best
of it.
At quarter to ten Emma came home.
"a little late, am not!" she said, look
ing I'D at the clock. "But fell in with
some old friends. How have you enjoyed
YOURSELF"
"Firsr rate" returned George. bravely.-
81 think home is capital place"
Especially when maa ean'havs it all
to himself" added the wife, with sidelong
glance at her husbsnd. But he made no
reply. ..,- --..-.,f..- -..-.
% the next evening Emma prepsred to
90 out as before; but this time she kissed
her husband ere she went. and seemed to
hesitate
aWhe ar think Of going!" George
asked, in Ger tone.
III NAV /. 3 a to see uncle John," re.
Piled Emma. "uoseter, you won't DC
nnsssv. You',l know I'm safe"