The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-07-28

penetrated his brain. "She will find fault
with me when carry this leg of veal
home. 1t will be either too large or too
small, or too fat or too lean, or too good
or too bad. 1 will cure her." -rf
Mary did find fault with the veal-it
was too fat and too large, and too good
for persons in their circumstances. But
John held his peace, and sat down to his
supper. aa. ISL aaas
a /" What sort of tea is this ?" said he. as
he pushed the cup petulantly from him.
: What is the matter of it z" asked his
wife astonished at such display of "sulk"
on his part. ~
{" 1t was too strong of hot water.
should like to get a decent cup of tea once
in my life" - -s...-
(" Why, John !"
" 1t is nothing but dish-water."
" | am sorry it don't suit YOU"
"lt never suits me-" he added, as he
broke open hot biscuit. - u
" Never suits you Z" s. grs4 =
" No" and at the same moment he
threw the broken biscuit back upon the
plate. sa -. a,tr
" Saleratus again" @
q. /" What is the matter with the biscuit,
John :" asked Mrs. Paley amazed at the
singular couduct of her husband.
ea"" :" There are great junks of saleratus in
it, If there is anything | detest, it is the
taste Of saleratus in bread. "
Mary took the broken biscuit to exam.
inc it. s.E
"Tbore is only single speck. to be
seen in tt viii cut it ou:-pray take
another John. -r..- -.
John did take another, and broke it
open, but perceived another speck of the
offensive substance, scarcely bigger than
the head Of a pin.
" Haven't you got any cold bread ?" he
asked, as he threw it back upon the plate.
" There is ano4e in the house," replied
poor Mary, ready to burst into tears With
yexation. -...L. .-......s-..F-.s.....s
'sGlye me piece of pie, then"
Mary brought nice piece. E-s
" Strong enough of cloves to strangle
fellow said he. Strange I can't get
anything that's fit to eat"
The poor wife could beor it DO more
Her eyes filed 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 kiss
upon her cheek. sa--.r -, ii. -4
g What is the matter with you John?
you never behaved so before" !, -.f.r-s
g | was only holding up a mirror for
you You can tell now, how I feel when
you find fault with everything l do"
/" I never will again" vas ~
/" My own Mary! forgive me if | cauE-
ed you pain s.-rs
I" You are too bad, John" -
as" " But no worse than you are almost
every day" "q.s a.r r-rs, 80 esI
% Mary thought great deal that p;ytr
y. CHAPTER IIG.-THIRD DAY go
The battle had been fought, and tle
victory won. Mrs. Paley's heart was full
cf tenderness and sympathy. She could
not have realized the pain that her use
less and ceaseless grumbilng had caused
her husband, or size would never have in
dulged the habit. She would not make
him unhappy for the world: and now,
when the lesson had opened her eyes, she
set guard upon her tongue
Almost always an habitual grumbleri is
an indolent person. A man or woman
whose mind is occupied has no time to bo
disconnected. But Mrs. Paley's was
kind Of moral Incidence. She permitted
her noble faculties to sleep for the time,
aud discomfort stole in while the sentinel
was off guard. She had chosen new
course of action, but she had to watch
with ceaseless vigilance, just to curb the
disposition to complain. To be indolent
was to lose the battle and fall.
=" Forgive me, john" s. s aa
:. 4" [ won It say another word, my dear"
he added, with smile that turned it all
into sunshine. sac a 3
!" Shall put more tea in the teapoty'
/" No, | only said that; the tea IS very
good" e $50
e" "Ah!I see what you mean"
II is all right; you have done nobly,
my dear, and by and by you will forget
how to complain.
" | hope 50, John, for your sake"
And eventually Mary did overcome the
habit. She had all the heart of woman
to make her happy-a good home and a
kind husband-so that her life might
have been perpetual sunshine, if she chose
to have it so. -
Patience and perseverance will over
come all things, and they will overcome
IL Il. La