Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-12-12
) EBENSBURG. PA. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER l2, 1860

81 Jonn still kept IL IN his hand as lt he had
not heard her, and still toyed with it in an
absent way.
John. don't you'll ruin that cord
Mr.. Leslie dropped it. without looking
towards his wife, or replying, and still kept
on talking with Aunt Phoebe.
Soon, in his earnestness, the Young man
forgot himself again, Grasping the top of
the chair which stood near him, and balancing
it upon one leg. he moved it backwards and
| forwards with see-sawing motion. Amy's
sense of propriety was outraged again. The
act annoyed her, and she could not repress
her annoyassc- This time she said nothing,-
but reached towards the chair to attempt to
remove it from his hand John did not
choose to let GO, however. Amy drew firmly
on the chair, and he held on to it firmly
Let me have the chair said the persistent
little woman.
DO you wish to sit down on iii? said John,
looking steadily into her face
No, but
But what' asked her husband, knitting
his brows.
why will you play with chairs in that
fashion? said Amy, with slight irritation.
1T makes me nervous to see you
L am sorry your nerves are go delicate
said John Leslie, pushing away the chair
My wife, Aunt, has grown as particular as
an old maid
Aunt Phoebe made no reply. She felt un-
comfortable. For nearly a minute silence
pervaded the room. Then the tea bell rung,
and the scene changed. They were scarcely
seated at the table before John was guilty of
some little breach of etiquette which brought
on him a reproving word from his wife. He
did not seem to notice her.
sWhy husband hoy cap ron do co.., hr,I.
from her lips few moments afterwards
You really seem to be trying yourself
What has he done, childP said Aunt Pho
be, looking across the table in some surprise
at Amy.
Done? Just look at his cup on the table
cloth. a nice stain it will make
Where are your cup-platesr asked Aunt
Phoebe
'Ok, dearl nobody has cup-plates now-a-
days. answered Amy.
That's just it, Aunt said John. Our
Amy has grown excessively genteel. She
won't have cup plates, and I'm not the fool to
burn my mouth with hot tea and coffee. Both
being self-willed, there has, as yet, been no
compromise
Nonsense, children spoke out Aunt
Phoebe. This is a little worse than triiing
The old lady's rebuking tone rather chilled
them. and neither made any additional re-
mark. But the buoyancy of their feelings
was gone, and was not fully restored during
meal time. After supper they all went up
stairs into cosy sitting room. They were
there only few minutes, when John COM
menced drawing off one of his boots, saying,
as he did so:
How my poor feet do ache. They have
been bound up in this tight leather since
morning.
Don't take them off here.' exclaimed Amy.
Why don't you 60 over into our room? Your
slippers are there
But he paid no more attention to his wife
than if he had not heard her The boot just
removed he placed against the wall, and went
on deliberately taking off the other.
There that feels better he said. Il tell
yoa what, Aunt Phoebe, it's no joke to 60 all
day with pair of tight boots on. My feet
feel as if taken out of vice.
w. ell, I'm downright ashamed of you,
john said his wife.
L hope you will never have anything worse
to be ashamed Of he replied, and not in
very kind tone of voice. L think it is pity
if can't take my boots off where [ please in
my own house.
oh. as to that retorted Amy, her face
reddeniDg, you can take them off in the par
lor if you choose, and put them on the what
not for an ornament! | don't care
I'm glad to hear you say that, retorted
John. .-ra-.s
You are? said Amy, sharply.
Yes, 1 shall have some peace of my life
now
Il don't understand you said Amy, show
ing some irritation of manner.
.Oh, it's very plain answered the young
II in he
L can leave them anywhere. Much obliged
to you for condescending so much
And he laughed in mocking way that
was particularly irritating to his wife, who
lost temper, and said great many things to
her husband; and then giving way to pas
sionate food of tears, left the :oom.
rs that right, John?' said Aunt Phoebe,
looking soberly into the young mans face.
is what right?'
Right for you to do what is annoying to
your wife?'
She's no right to be annoyed with trifies
of this kind, he answered firmly.
That is not speaking like kind and sem
sible man, John. Your wife Is neat and or
derly by nature. and cannot help being an
noyed at what is disorderly. Thisi is no place
for your boots
L know it, Aunt. But when 4 mans tired
half to death on coming home. he might be
excused for pulling his boots of anywhere
Yes, if he were more thoughtful of him
self than anybody else. But we won't dis
| cuss this matter now. must go to Amy,
poor child.
And Aunt Phoebe arose and wen. from the
sitting room. leaving John Leslie in no very
| comfortable frame of mind. She found Amy
in her own apartment, sitting on the side OF
her bed, sobbing violently. Aunt Phoebe sat
down beside her.. and taking her hand. said: