The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-02-02


What sort Of tea ia this ?" said he,
as he pushed the cup petulantly from him
What is the matter with it 2" asked
his wife, astonshed at such display Of
"sulk" on his part.
d" 1t is too strong of hot water l should
like to get decent cup of tea once in my
life."
"Why John %
" 1t is nothing but dishwater."
g. am sorry it don't suit you"
ut never suits me-" he added, as he
broke open hot biscuit
"Never suits you ?"
q" Mo-" and al the same moment he
threw the brok en- biscuit back upon the
plate. " Saleratus again"
"What is the matter with the biscuits,
John2" asked Mrs. Paley, amazed at the
singular conduct of her husband
There are great junks of saleratus in
it. IF there is anything l detest, it is the
taste of saleratus in bread"
Mary took the broken biscuit and ex.
amined it.
"There is only single speck to be seen
in it. l will cut it out. Pray take an.
other, John"
John did take another, and broke it
open, but perceived another speck Of she
offensive substance, scarcely bigger than
the head of a pin
" Haven't you any cold bread 2" he
asked, as he threw it back upon the plate.
There is none in the house." replied
poor Mary, ready to burst into tears With
vexation.
Give me piece Of the pie, then"
Mary brought mince pie.
Strong enough Of cloves to strangls
fellow" said he. "Strange that I can't
get anything that's fit to eat"
The poor wife could bear it no more.
Her eyes filled with tears, and she sobbed
aloud. John was not disposed to carry
the lesson any further. Mary, as much
as she found fault herself, was extremely
sensitive, and she could not endure the
slightest censure.
Mary, my dear, do not weep" said
he, going to her, and impressing a kiss
upon her cheek.
"What is the matter with you, John 7
You never behaved so before"
81 was only holding up a mirror to
you. You can now tell how feel when
you find fault with everything I do"
II never will again"
my own Mary! Forgive me If I
caused you pain"
"You are too bad, John"
"But no worse than you are almost
every day. Mary thought great deal
that night
CHAPTER III.-THIRD DAY.
The battle had been fought and the vic.
tory won. Mrs, Paley's heart was full Of
tenderness and sympathy. She could not
have realized the pain that her useless
grumbling had caused her husband, or she
never would have INDUCED the habit. She
would not make him unhappy for the
world and now. when the lesson had
opened her eye, she set guard upon her
tongue.
Almost always an habitual grumbler is
an indolent person. A man or woman
whose mind is occupied, has no time to be
discontented. But Mrs. Paloys was O
kind of moral Incidence. She permitted
her noble faculties to sleep for the time
and discomfort stole in while the sentine
was off guard. She had chosen a new
course Of action, but she had to watch
with ceaseless vigilence, just to curb the
disposition to complain. To be indolen
was to lese the battle and fail.
Forgive me, john"
l won't say anoher word, my dear,
he added, with smile that turned it al
into sunshine.
"shall Put some more tea in the tea
potf"
mo, I only said that the tea Il YER,
good"
"Ah see what you mean"
1t is all right you have done nobl,
my dear; by and by you will forget ho,
to complain"
II hope SO, John, for your sake"
And eventually, Mary did overcome tn
habit. She had all the heart of woma
to make her happy-a good home and
kind husband-so that her life might hay
been perpetual sunshine, if she chose
have it 80.
Patience and perseverance will owe
, come all things, and they will overcon
tho vilaat hobit thot auar ol,,pc 10 N o.;