Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-07-26

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'Ot course
Then we are exceptions, said Amy, as
they entered the chamber prepared for
Aunt Phoebe. For neither OF us thinks
the other perfect
Amy laughed again a gay little laugh
the sound of which was not pleasant to the
old lady's cara.
How is John !? she asked
'Oh, he's well; and will be so glad to
see you
How does ne get along in business ?
Very well, | believe But he complains
Of being worked half to death
He's young aad strong, said Aunt
Phoebe. And close application to bust
ness won't hurt him
But he comes home SO tired out as to
he right down ill-natured sometimes. And
! don't like that
I'm sorry was all Aunt Phoebe replied.
and then asked for the baby
'Oh, he's sweetH AID glaam of sun
shine irradiated the young mothers counte-
nance. Come he's sleeping in the next
room;' and she drew Aunt Phoebe into
the chamber, where her baby treasure lay.
Isn't he lovely AuntY
Dear angel ? said the old lady bending
over the crib, and gazing with delighted
eyes upon the rosy infant.
'And SO John is little cross sometimes?'
remarked Aunt Phoebe, as they sat togeth-
IN the sitting groom, not long afterwards.
Yes, cross as a bear now and then, if |
must say so, replied Amy.
'Oh, not so bad as that said Aunt
Phoebe. Gross as a bear is pretty strong
language. | can't believe it Of John
Amys face grew serious then fell into
deep shadow.
Whats the matter, dear? You don't
look happy. Nothing wrong, hope 2 and
Aunt Phoebe laid her hand on Amv'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 disordcrly
about the house; and if [ say a word to
him, he gets into huff. Now, if there is
one thing | do like, it is order and neat
ness at home; and John tries me dread
fully. [ don't know what has come over
him.
I'm sorryn
1t was Aunt Phgbe's only remark on
that subject at the time. But she deter
mined to look on with open eyes, and see
where the evil lay, that was casting already
a shadow upon the heart of her niece.
John Will be home in little while
said Amy, as the twilight began to fall
'Ah, there is his key in the door, and
that's 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 down 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 foorp
1t woG't hurt the floor, came to Aunt
Phoebe's ears, in an annoyed tone
'Incorrigible , responded 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 few open,
and John hurried across the room, and,
grasping Aunt Phoebe's hand, said with
warmth:
This is a pleasure! How glad | am to
see you aud he held her hand tightly,
looking fondly into her face
A crowd of questions and answers fol-
lowed 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
off,
John removed his foot without making
any answer. But Aunt Phoebe saw bis
brow gather slightly with a sign of dis
pleasure. They went on talking, and pres.
emily the young man, who had taken seat
near the window, took hold of the cord
which looped back the curtain, and COM
menced running it through his fin
gers.
you'll fray that cord, John, said Amy.
Do let it aloneY
John still kept it in his hand as if 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
a chair which stood near him, and balanc-
ing it upon one leg, he moved it backwards
and forwards with see-sawing motion.