Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-02-28
The Husbands Drenm-A Picture of Do
nrsfirifv HiahIY Coloreh.

The Husbands Drenm-A Picture Of Do
mesticity Highly COlOred.
It was the freshest of April mornings, with
2 soft wind, that had rifed all manner of
sweet scents from dimpled billows, purpled
over with young violets, and solitary brook
sides, fIinged with white anemone stars, and
waited them into the city streets, to revive
many a weary dweller among the paving
stones. Mrs. Arden standing at her window,
looked down at the few feet Of earth that the
city people digni6ed with the title of ''gar-
der" and felt the sunny spring influences
even there,
"Whst lovely morningl' said she to
herself, this is the very time to put my
6ahlias into the ground, and take care of the
Tose5-how fortunate that to day will be
comparatively leisure time to mel Women
don't often get released from the domestic
treadmil, and what with spring sewing
company, and house-cleaHing, | have been
literally slave for the last three months.
Once out in the open air among the flower
roots, and feel as though was entering a
new lifeS
-ignorant Mrs. Arden Had she lived to
he thirty years old without knowing that
married woman ought not even to breathe,
without first asking her husband if it was
proper and convenient Mr.. Arden had
laid out an entirely different programme for
his lady. wife; and in be came, discomfort.
edly eyeing the new overcoat he had been
buying.
S'Nellie, can't you fix this overcoat some
hOw2 There is something hitchy about the
collsZ-you can tell where the trouble is,
you are so smart with your needle"
Mrs. Arden took it out of his hands and
looked at it despairingly-theTe was full
tblee hours work about it.
"ADd, Nellie, you wouldn't mind altering
these shirt -bosoms-they' re all in a wrinkle
the pattern was bad one."
'You insisted on having them made ac-
cordi1g to the very pattern, entirely against
1'Well, l know I did," said Mr.. Arden,
rather sheepishly; "Martin said it was good
one, but Martin don't know every thing.'
81 wish you had found it out before the
shirts were made" said Mrs. Arden, petu-
Isutly.
'Isay," interposed her spouse, apparently
rather desirous of changing the subject,
"what are you going to have for dinnerW
81 don't know, I'm sure" was the vexed
reply. Il believe men are always thinking
about eating; no sooner is breakfast over
than dinner begins to trouble them."
81 wish you would make one of those
puddings l like-make it yourself for Susan
always mangles it. We haven't had one for
long time now"
There goes my day of leisure that was to
have put my garden in such beautiful order"
sighed Mrs. Arden.
Oh, pshaw p said her husband contem-
plating his whiskers in the glass, "what do
you care about garden work? A woman
ought to find her chief happiness in domes-
tic duties. don't approve of this everlast-
lasting fdgeiing about fowersps
"Hsrry,S said his wife, "you would not be
at all contented, if your Office work was so
endless that you never got moments time
to smoke cigar or read a book or news
paper" u -.n,,.a NJ A.s.u ,o.,,..,,.,..
but then you are not man."
'No, know / am not" said Mrs. Arden
quickly; 'ff were, my wife should have
little leisure to breathe occasionally"
Nr. Arden went out, shutting the door
with seme vehemence behind him. 81 never
did see such a complaining set as women
are was his internal reflection as he walked
rapidly 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 to
rest and look over his newspaper. But the
balmy wind famed his forehead like narcotic
incense and the sensation of dolce far nisnte
wes inexpressably delighful-the closely
printed columns became a confused blur, and
the first Mr. Arden knew, he was-not ex-
actly asleep, perhaps, but certainly not very
wide awake.
Some thing carried him back to the time
when Nellie was a bride-fresh and bloom
irg as rose. How well be remembered the
blue light of her eyes, and the satin bright
ness of her complexion. She had grown
wan and weary looking since those days
Was il possible that he had been lacking in
care and tenderness? 1t was rather an un-
easy twinge of conscience, for he did love
her, rattle-brained and thoughtless though
be was. He thought of her. sitting alone
4I-ntpl, ka II Iav
the work he had assigned to her, until the
pallOr deepened on her cheek, and the eyes
grew dim and lUstreless-he remembered the
many, many days he had spent in the same
wearisOme occupation. No wonder that the
little garden was sunny spot to her--no
wonder that she loved the flowers, whose
freshness seemed to revive her whole nature.
mn may be very cruel to a woman with
out even beating her, or denying her the ne
Cessities Of life. Suppose she should drift
away from him, like the delicate leaf of
swift running stream. He shudders at the
very idea. She was not strong-the time
might come when a narrow grave and
white besdstone would be all that remained
Of bis little wife. And then-should he not
remember all these things?
He started up from the troubled net work
Of fancy that had woven itself into a vague
dream the sunshine lay brightly on the
floor, ard the finger on the Office clock
Tointed TO the hour of which he usually
went home to dinner. The pudding was
made, the coat in prime order, the unsatis-
factory shirts ripped apart and Nellie,
though pale and tiTed-looking, came to the
door With a smile, to greet her husband.
why, Harry, what on earth have you got
there ?" she exclaimed, as Mr.. Arden came
up the steps, really staggering under the
weight Of two or three blossoming gera-
niums and verbenas, which he had brought
from down town with incredible difficulty.
Thought you'd like some flowers for your
garden, my dear," exclaimed be !" and Nelly
stTaightway gave him pleased, happy look,
which he did not soon forget.
"And now" said be, after dinner, "there
isn't much TO do at the Office to day, suppose
you and devote the afternoon to garden.
work; We can make the place as neat as
apink."
20, Harry, that would be delightfulln ex-
Claimed elaine she, with brightening eyes; "but
20, no matter about the shirts let 'em
walt want 70 see your cheeks a little
TeddeT, my lovep - ~
Mrs, Arden wondered in her secret heart
what bad wrought this agreeable CHANGE
she eia9't know any thing about her hus-
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