Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-12-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
MORE NICE THAN WISE.
DY MARGARET LYON.


A carriage stopped at the door, the bell
was rung, and few moments afterwards
Amy Leslie had her arms around the neck OF
dear good Aunt Phoebe 3
oh! 1 am so glad to see youl ] am so
glad you've GOMEZ exclaimed Amy, her face
glowing with pleasure. 1s
The old lady kissed her niece tenderly;
then held her off and looked at her with
motherly tenderness.
Not bit changed! 1t is two years since
you were married. and your cheeks are as
round and blooming, and your eyes as bright,
as when I last looked into them. A happy
wife, 1 see. And why not? John Leslie
was always good son. and have no fear
about his making good husband He was
pet of mine, you know
Yes, remember said Amy. as she drew
her arm within Aunt Phebe's and led her up
stairs. He was your pattern young man.
But he isn't perfect. You don't know any
person until you've lived with them
Aunt Phoebe stopped and looked up into
Amy's face little curiously.
oh, you needn't fix you sharp eyes on me
after that fashion, said Amy, laughing
Men are no more perfect than women
Husbands should be perfect in the eyes of
Il
And wives perfect in the eyes of their hus-
band?'
OF course
Then we are EXCEPTIONS said Amy, as
they entered the chamber prepar ed for Aunt
Phoebe. For neither of us thinks the other
perfect
Amy laughed again gay little laugh-the
sound of which was not pleasant to the old
lady's ears.
How is John?' she asked
oh, he's well; and will be so glad to see
you:'
How does he get along in business?'
Very well, [ believe. But he complains
of being worked half to death
He's young and stroEg,' said Aunt Phoebe
And close application to business won't
hurt him.
But he comes home so tired out as to be
right down ill-natured sometimes And
don't like that -
Pm sorry was all Aunt Phoebe replied,
and then asked for the baby.
oh, he's sweet and CLEAN of sunshine
irradiated the young mothers countenance.
'Come; he's sleeping in the next room;' and
she drew Aunt Phoebe into :he chamber,
where her baby treasure lay. 'Isn't he love-
ly, Aunt? r..
Dear Angelr said the old lady. bending
over the crib, and gazing With delighted eyes
upon the rosy infant. IL
And So John Is little cross sometimes?'
remarked Aunt Phoebe, as they sat together
in the sitting room, not long afterwards.
Yes, as cross as bear now and then, if 1
must say so,' replied Amy.
'Oh, not so bad as that, said Aunt Phoebe
Gross as a bear is pretty strong language. 1
can't believe it of john
Amy's face grew serious; then fel! into
deep shadow.
What's the matter, dear? You don't look
happy. Nothing wrong, hope?' and Aunt
Phoebe laid her hand on Amy's arm and
looked at her rather anxiously.
oh, no nothing very wrong. But and
Amy paused.
But what? Nothing very wrong Then
there is something wrong?'
well, the truth is, Aunt Phoebe, John
isn't as amiable or good tempered as he used
to be. He's careless and disorderly about
the house, and if 1 say word to him, he gets
into huff. Now, if there is one thing l do
lik, 1t is order and neatness at home; John
tries me dreadfully. 1 don't know what has
come over him.
I'm sorry
1t was Aunt Pbebe's only remark on that
subject at the time But she determined to
look on with open eyes, and see where the
evil lay, that was casting a shadow on the
heart of her niece
John viii be home in a little WHILE said
Amy, as the twilight began to fall. 'Ah.
there is his key in the door, and that is his
step in the passage; and she went out to meet
him, closing the room door after her.
Aunt Phoebe listened as they moved along
the passage to where the hat rack stood.
There" she heard her niece say in rather
an unamiable tone: don't throw your hat on
the chair in that way. Why don't you hang
it up?
John made some reply. but she did not
hear it distinctly. His voice struck her as
being little rough.
On that lower peg again. Don't you see
that your coat touches the foor?'
1t won't hurt the foor,' came to Aunt
Phebe's ears, in an annoyed tone.
'Incorrigiblep respon ded Amy.
A few moments of silence followed. Then
she heard her niece say:
Aunt Phoebe is in the parlor.'
In the next instant the door flew open. and
John hurried across the room, and, grasping
Aunt Phobe's hand, said, with warmth:
This is pleasure! How glad I am to
see youp and be held her hand tightly, look
ing fondly into her face
A crowd of questions and answers followed
each other closely on both sides, in the midst
of which Amy broke in with:
Don't put your foot on the round of that
chair, John; you'll rub the varnish of
John removed his foot without making any
answer But Aunt Phoebe saw his brow
gather slightly with sign of displeasure.
They went on talking. and presently the
youg man, who had taken seat near the
window, took hold Of tho cord which looped