The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1859-08-12
HOME COMFORT 5.
BIZ eYLvANUs CO BIB, JR.

"But where"
What odds does it make, Emma? ]
shall be back at my usual time
The young wife hesitated, and quick
flush overspread her countenanCe. She
seemed to have made up her mind to speak
plainly on subject which had lain uneasi-
ly upon her heart for some time, aud she
could not let the opportunity pass. 1t re-
CURED an effort, but she persevered.
Let me tell you what odds it makes to
me-" she said, in kind but tremulous
tone. "If | cannot have your company
here at home, should at least feel much
better if knew where YOU were"
but you know that | am safe, Emma,
and what more can you ask"
Il do not know that you are safe,
George. | know nothing about you
when you are away"
''Pooh Would you have it that | am
not capable Of taking care Of myself
"You put a wrong construction upon
my words, George. Love is always anX-
ious, when its dearest object is away. II
| did not love you as DO, might not
be thus uneasy. When you are at your
place Of business, never feel thus, because
know | can seek and find you at any
moment; but when you are absent during
these long evenings, get to wondering
where you are Then | begin to feel lone
sorr e; and so one thought follows another,
until feel troubled and uneasy. Of
you would stay with me portion Of your
evenings
Aha thought that was what you
were aiming at" said George with play
ful shake Of the head. you would have
me here evenings
"WeI-can you wonder at it," return
ed Emma ~ used to be very happy
when you came to spend an evening with
me before we were married; and | know
should be very happy in your society
now"
"Ah," said George, with smile, "those
were business meetings. We were ar
ranging then for the future"
And why not continue so to do, my
husband" | am sure we could be as happy
now as ever. Ifyou will remember-one
of our plans was to make home
"And hayn't we got one Emma3'
eve have a place in which to liye?" an
swered the wife somewhat evasively.
''And it is our home" pursued George.
"And," he added with a sort Of confident
flourish, "home is the wi.es peculiar prov
nce. She has charge of it, and all her
work is there: while the duties of the hus-
band calls him to other scenes"
AVE admit that, so far as certain
duties are concerned" replied Emma =
"But YOU must remember we both need
relaxations from labor; we need time for
social and mental improvement and en- oy-
ment; and what season have we for this.
save our evenings? Why should this not
be my home evenings, as well as III the
day time, and in the night."
"Well-isn'tit ?" asked George.
Glow can it be if you are not here?'-
What makes home for children, if it be
not the abode Of the parents! What home
can husband have where there is no wife?
And-what real home comforts can a wife
enjoy where there is no husband! You
DO not realize how lonesome [ am all alone
here during these long evenings. They
are the very seasons when am at leisure
TO enjoy your companionship, and when
you would be at leisure to enjoy mine, if
it IS worth enjoying. They are the sea
sons when the happiest hours ofour home
life might be passed. Come-will You
not spend a few Of your evenings with me2'
''lou see enough Of me as it is said
the husband, tightly.
ALLOW me to be the Judge of that,
George. You would be very lonesome
here all alone
Not if it was my place Of business, as
it's yours" returned the young man.
You are used to staying here All wives
belong at home"
Just remember, my husband, that pre-
vlous to our marriage, | had pleasant so
ciety all the time. OF course remained
at home much of my time; but | had a
father and mother there-and had broth
crs and sisters there. and our evenings
were happily spent. Finally gave up all
for YOU. left the old home, and sought
home with my husband. And now have
| not right to expect some of your com
Panionship' How would YOU like it tc
have me away every evening while YOU
were obliged to remain here alone:"
"Why-I should ike it we'll enough
"Ah-but you would not be willing tC
Try it"
YES would" SAID George at a ven
ture
"Will you remain here every eveuir.
next week, and let me spend them among
my female friends
Certainly | will; and assure you
shall not be 50 lonesome as you imagine
With this the husband went out and
was soon among his friends He was
steady, industrious man. and loved his wife
truly. But, like thousands of others, h,
bad contracted habit Of spending hi.
evenings abroad, aud thought Of no harm
HIS own practical idea Of home seemed
to be, that it was a place which bis vii,
took care OF, and where he could eat, drinl
and sleep as long as he could pay for it
Ia short, he treated it as sort of board
ing house, Of which bis wife was landlady
and If he paid all the bills he cousidere,
his duty done. His wife had frequeutl,
asked him to stay at home with her, bu
she had never ventured upon any argument
before, and he had no conception how
much she missed him She always seem
ed happy when lie came home, and sup
posed she could always be SO.