The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-07-27
Domestic Iars-

81 should like very much to visit the noun
| tains," said Oliver Mason. He spoke to his
uncle, who was on visit for few days, and
who had been telling him about the delightful
! scenery among the highlands. i know should
enjoy it. l think can make arrangements to
go next week
"I'm sure 1 can't 60 next week" spoke
Matilda, who was Just turning out cup of tea
for uncle Eben.
why not?" asked Oliver. looking up into
his wifes face
Now when Matilda Mason said she was sure
she couldn't go, she spoke from the force of an
old habit. She was notrugged. and being some
what weary from the effects of her day IS labor,
which had been little increased by the pres
enCe of their visitor, she did not feel in the
mood for any great exertion. She did not feel,
just then, as though she should want to visit
anywhere; so she spoke from impulse, and
without much thought But willing to &C
knowledge that she had none. she simply
replied:
''Because I can't."
"But why can't you?" persisted Oliver.
because | don't want to-" She said this
rather emphaticaIly.
you can go if you will, +" returned the hus
band, with a show of feeling.
Il suppose l know whether l can go or
not" was the wife's rejoinder, and she spoke
quite tartly. Il tell you | can't go. If you
wish SO much to go, suppose you can go
alone. You needn't trouble yourself about ine."
Oliver did not dare to say any more. He
was aware that any further remark from him
would only bring something still more bitter
from his wife, and he felt that she had already
! aN,pCec4 ,f bo,. yuaol.,acC
to his uncle 4 cloud was over them. and the
meal was concluded in comparative silence
The husband was unhappy; the wife was I'm.
happy; and uncle Eben was, to say the least
very thoughtful
In the course of the evening the uncle and
nephew were left alone. A dead silence had
lasted for some minutes, when uncle Eben very
quietly asked
"What do you think of the mountains Oil
ver?"
The young man started at the question; for
he was at that moment thinking of the scene
which had transpired at the tea table.
"O-we'll so, guess" he replied, after a
moments hesitation,
''Do you think Matilda will go?"
"Yes-I think so. She'll come around be-
fore that"
Another. season of silence followed. which
was finally broken by Oliver who remarked
with some hesitation in his manner
"Unce I'm sorry that little scene occurred
at the supper-table this evening; but You must
not Judge of Matilda's character by what you
then saw and heard. She is good wile-one
: of the best of women.
5 Il know she is" returned the old man.
"She is indeed, resumed Oliver: land were
it not for that one fault cloud would never
arise upon our domestic Joy"
"She is apt to run off in that way, isn't sEe?
, said uncle Eben,
Yes. She does it often; and these arr
' about the only domestic jars we ever have"
!: They are unpleasant, - remarked the uncle
Very in nnlAosor - ,, u = ~ 7 r''-''.
, eff was in your place | would put stoI
to them, my boy" ST..
! ''If could lead her to break herself of tha
4 habit, I'd give anything"
81 think you could do it"
T "How?"
Just break yourself first"
Break myself" repeated the young man
> regarding his uncle with amazement
Ave" quietly proceeded the latter. Jus
commence by breaking yourself of your .habi
in this matter, and the work will be done"
h "But-uncle-I dom understand. You say
i and heard all that ,ranspired at the supPe
4 table"
Certainly"
), And did you not see that Matilda was be
$ yond all reason?"
k "Isaw that you forced her beyo all reason.
: Il forced her? Uncle Eben don't compre
d hend you, I'd like to have you explain"
s; That's Just what want to do, my boy
s Now listen: Your little domestic jars, as yo
P call them, generally come in the shape of dis
> putes. Isn't it sop
''Why-yes."
Exactly. And you are probably awar
;, 'rhat one person cannot hold dispute alone
y 1t takes at least two to make dispute"
Ave" returned Oliver; "but both may nc
/. necessarily be at fault. You saw how 1t wa
this evening. You saw that / stopped as 500
&c as found where Matilda was bound"
e e II noticed that you stopped after the mis-
= =. chief had been done" said the old man, wit
e significant nod of the head. But don't loo
so surprised my dear fellow, for it is just as
y say. 1t is the most easy thing in the world 70
e us to be blind to our own faults, especial
( where there is fault in another quarter. Z
: course, Matilda did not do right, but that ca
be no excuse for you"
+. go or" uttered Oliver, in tone of resg
nation. II should like to hear you through.
rs Then answer me frankly: Do you not thin
" that your wife has?'' ''Yes-I do"
!; And ARE you not aware that your wife
. easily moved to fretfulness?' Yes
d You know that she is more apt to be over
sensitive when a little fatigued, than other
+ wise?" ''Yes"
g "You knew that she was somewhat wear
= this EVENING""
q II knew she was tired"
Exactly. And now tell me: When sh
: said she was sure she could not go to the mount
aims at the time you bad mentioned, what di
you suppose she meant?'
: Il knew just what she meant. She mean
nothing"
"In Short, Oliver, you knew that she spok
> thoughtlessly, and only from force of habit
], Yes
"And you knew-mark me: You knew
+ that she had no good reason for not being abl
= to go?'' "Of course did"
"Then why did you ask her for reason"
e "Why?-Why-be
"Well--rm waiting for your answer m
boy"
s.Wbv" said Oliver considerably perplexed