The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-01-08

was never known to harbor resentment.
But with all these good qualities, Mr..
Ashton had one fault-a fault which
threatened to disturb, and finally to
destroy the comfort of his married life.
If his wife, by extravaganza or bad
management, had wasted his income and
Involved him in difficulties, it is probable
that he would never have spoken an
unkind word to her; but the fact Of Il
button beng missing, or book removed
from its place, would produce lamenta-
ton half indignant and half pathetic,
which rung in Chrisscy's ears, and made
her heart ache long after Clement had
forgotten the circumstance altogether.-
! Strange as it may seem, Mr.. Ashton had
never thought Of this habit, of which,
indeed, he was impertectly conscious, us
fault.
lie thought, indeed, that it was pity
he should be so sensitive, aud sometimes
said that he wished he had not such
love for order and symmetry, for then
he should not be so often annoyed by
the disorderly habits Of other people,
lie said to himself that it was one of his
peculiar trials-that even Chrisscy, per-
feet as she was, did not come up to his
Ideas in this respect, but that his pecu-
liar trials, as he was pleased to call
them, ever became trials to other peo-
pie, he did not imagine. He had, indeed,
remarked, i'll spite Of himself, that Chris
scy's face was not as cheerful, and her
spirits as light as when they were first
married and he regretted that the
cares OF housekeeping should weigh so
heavily upon her; but nothing was fur
Their from his thought than that anything
in himself could have produced the
change.
Mr.. Ashton, exhausted with his days
work, tarned towards home with his
mind and heart full of all that he had
seen and felt. lie said very little during
dinner, but when the tablc-cloth was
removed, and he sat down in his dress
ing-gown and slippers before the fire, he
related to his wife all the events of the
day, describing, with all the enthusiasm
OF his earnest nature, the patience and
holy resignation he had witnessed, and
ended By saying
I" Certainly, religion has power to sus-
tain and console, under all trials, and
under every MISFORTUNE"
" Except the loss Of a button" re-
piled Chrisscy, seriously. "That is a
misfortune which neither philosophy nor
religion can enable ole to sustain"
The Rev. Mr. Ashton started as
though pistol had been DISCHARGED at
lis ear.
Why, what do you mean, Chrissoy?"
'Just what | say" returned Chrissey,
with the same soberncss. Yourself,
for instance you can cndnrc, with the
greatest resignation, the loss Of friends
and misfortune | never saw you runled
by rudcncss or abuse from others, or
! show any Impotence under severe pain
but the loss Of u button from your shirt,
or nail from the carpet, gives you IA
perfect right to be unreasonable, unkind
and-l must say it--unchrlstian.'
Mr.. Ashton arose, and walked up and
down the room in some agitation.
8" did not think, my love-" he said
at last, i'll trembling tone, " that you
would attach so much Importance to a
single hasty word. Perhaps spoke too
quickly, but even if it were so, did we
not promise to be patient with each
others lnfrmitics! l am sure am very
glad to bear with"
Mr.. Ashton paused he was an emil
nently truthful man, and uron consider
alton, lie really could not remember that
he had ever had anything to bear from
his wife.
OF it were only once, my dear hus-
band, should say nothing about it but
you do not seem in the least aware how
the habit has grown upon you. There
has not been day this week in which
you have not made my heart ache by
some such outburst of fretiuncss."
Mr.. Ashton was astonshed but as he
began to reflect, he was still more sur
prlsed to find that his wife's accusation
was quito true. One day it had been
about the front-door mat, the next about
a mislaid review, and then about a lost
pair Of gloves, which after all were found
in his own pocket. He felt that it was
all true; and as his conscience brought
forward one instance after another of
unkindness-real unkindncss-hc sat
down again, and covered his face with
his hands.
"But that is not the worst" con-
tnued Chrissey, becoming agitated in
her turn. " l fear-I cannot help fear
ing--that | shall be led to feel as ought
not towards you. fear lest shall in
time lose the power of respecting my
husband and when respect goes, Gle
ment, love does not last long. This very
moment found myself wishing | had
never known YOU
Chrissey burst into tears, very un-
usual demonstration for her; and Gle
ment, springing up, once more travcrscd
the room once or twice, and then sat
down at his wife's side.
Christiana," he said mournfully, mis
it come to this | have deserved i'll
feel that / havc-but to lose your re-
spect, your love-my punishment is
greater than can bear, Chrissey.'
" 1t was but the thought of moment,"
returned Christiana, checking her sobs
"but | am frightened that the idea
should ever have entered my mind. I'll
| should cease to love Won C1onont I