The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-07-13
General Misfellanu.
Husbands and Wives.

Husbands and Wives.
Husbands are often thoush,lessly exacting
and impose such variety of petty duties on
their uncomplaining wives, that the color
fades from the cheek and JOY dies out of the
heart. A little more thoughtfulness and
tender sympathy would change the entire as
pect of many homes. \ contributor to Life
Illustrated tells story which has a good
moral
1t was the freshest Of April mornings with
a soft wind that had rihed all manner of
sweet scents from dimpled hollows purpled
over with young violets, and solitary brook
sides fringed with white anemone stars, and
waited them into the city streets to revive
many weary dwelIer among paving stones.
Mrs. Arden, standing at her window looked
down at the few feet of earth that CITY peo-
pie dignity with the title of garden,
and felt the sunny spring influences even
there.
"Wha: a lovely morning. said she to her
self, "this is the very time to put my dahlias
into the ground and take care of the roses
how fortunate that to-day will be compara-
lively leisure day to me- Women don't
often get released from the domestic tread
mill. and what with spring sewing, company
and house cleaning, have been literally a
slave for the last three months Once out
in the open air among the flower roots and
| shall feel as though was entering a new
life."
Ignorant Mrs. Arden. Had she lived to
be thirty years old without knowing that a
married woman ought not to breathe. with
out first asking her husband if it's perfectly
proper and convenient? Mr.. Arden had
laid out an entirely different programme for
his lady wife, for in he came, discontent-
edly eyeing the new overcoat he mad been
buying.
"Nellie, can't you fix this overcoat some
how w? There is something hitchy about
the collar-you can tell where the trouble is
you're so smart with your needle"
! Mrs. Arden took it out of his hands and
looked at it despairingly-there was full
three hours work about it.
"And Nellie-if you wouldn't mind alter
ing these shirt bosoms-they're all Of a
wrinkle the pattern was bad one"
"iou insisted on having them made accor-
ding to the very pattern, entirely against my
advice"
"Well, l know did, said Mr.. Arden, ra-
ther sheepishlv "Martin said it was good
one, but then, Martin don't know every
thing"
81 wish you had found that out before the
shirts were made" said Mrs Arden petulant-
ly.
Il say interposed her spouse, apparently
rather desirous Of changing the subject
"what are you going to have for dinner ?"
81 don't know, I'm sure" was the vexed
reply, 81 believe man are always thinking "a
bout eating-Eo sooner is breakfast ovel
than dinner begins to disturb them"
II wish you would make one of those pud
dings l lke-make it yourself, for Susan al
ways mangles it. We haven't had one for {
long time now.
There goes the day of leisure that was te
have put my garden in such beautiful order,
sighed Mrs. Arden.
80 pshaw," said her husband contempla
ting his whiskers in the glass, "what do yol
care about garden work A woman ough
to find her chief happiness in domestic du
ties. don't approve Of this everlasting tid
getting about flowers"
Harry" said his wife, "you would not b.
at al! contented if your Office work was ST
endless that you never 60: moments tim
to smoke cigar, or read book or newspa
per-"
"N-no," replied Mr.. Arden hesitatingl!
"but you are not man."
"No-I know I'm not" said Mrs. Ardel
quickly, "but if l were, my wife shoul
have little leisure to breathe occasional
ly."
Mr. Arden went ut,shutting the door wit
some yehemence behind him.
J IL never did see such complaining Sc
6 as women are," was his internal reflection
: he walked down the street.
, Two or three hours steady work soon dis
;. posed of the press of Office business awaiting
him and be threw himself back in chair t