The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-28
CURED.

CURED.
"Francis, wish you would not ~ In
such horrid position; only think, ypur
feet are in close pI Oximity to those VASES
on the mantle, and next thing yOu viii
knock them Of, and down they viii cone
oil Shivered In pieces on the hearth. !
should think you could Sit in an upright
position in your chair, and not make
yourself such disgusting spectacle; and
then, don't think Il IL very good u.an'
ners for you to turn my paTlOT iOto
smoking room. heartily wish you could
not find another cigar, they are 20 Of
fcnsive; but yOn don't consult my tastes
or wishes oh, mol"
"Scold on, Elsie; with q little more
practice you will make n second MrM Cau'
die; :" and Francis Self raised hts feet
still higher, and gave an extra whin to
his HAVANA.
Remember the time, Francis SEN,
when you would not smoke in my pres
encc; and when you could sit In your
chair Of an evening without raising your
feet to the moon you have forgotten all
that fine regard for my feelings now !"
and Mrs. Elsie Sefft appeared cOnSiderably
piqucd towards her husband. He was
accustomed to similar assaults from Elsie,
and did not apparently grow excited OF
angry over the rebukcs; but, on this oc'
casion, he made q resolve In bis own
mind, rs to the course he should take tn
prevent future attack. He considered
his home place where, after the busy
cares Of the day, he wax at liberty to do
and act In manner that would most con-
tribute to his comfort and that, too, with
out any fOrmality.
But Elsie also had her own peculiar
views Of the matter, and did not heaitnte
to express her ideas whenever occasion
required. She was naturally pOaacssed
Of fretful disposition, and the privilege
to find fault was to her choice luxury.
Francis had always spent his evenings ct
home, since his marriage, but, on the
evening succeeding the One already men.
toned, he took his hat and left iInmedi'
ately after tea.
Elsie sat alone all the evening, often
giving way 10 fits Of impatience ct bis
prOtraCted absence but this was only the
beginning Of sorrow, as he continued 70
abandon his home every evening.
Three months passed In this way, du.
ring which time Elsie had fretted horRelf
to q skeleton; and, as vet she knew not
where or with whom Francis spent th,
long winter evenings. She decided at last
to follow him. This she did eGectually,
three successive evenings and at each
time he went to the same h0usp, eat
down as though he was perfectly At home,
in front Of the fire that was burning In
the CRATE, placed his feet in another chair
beside him, lit his cigar, took newspaper
from hiR pocket, and read without Inter.
ruptiOn. All this Elsie saw by pssplng
through the window blinds No eps vas
In the room with him II appeared 10 be
an apartment he had rented for his own
special use.
Elsie fingered at the window unObserved
the greater part Of three evenings and
this was oil she saw so she was sura her
husband was not in vicious company, but
simply gratifying his own peculiar habit
and taste for freedom. She Snanagea to
return homo in advance Of him every time;
and when he arrived she would always be
engaged with her sewing. and apparently
without a care as to whera ho had been,
and why he was detained so very lsts.
Francis was somewhat disturbed Al her
indifference, but he did not dream that she
was so familiar with his whereabouts and
proceedings. Elsie did not watch him
many more evenings before she took the
liberty to knock for adlniltAncs at bic
door. Francis opened il, and to hisareat
surprise, there stood Elsie. Il was very
cold, dark night. and instead Of express
ing any great degree Of wonder, that she
had found him in his Obscure quariefsS Ae
affectionately enquired, how, IN the dark.
ness Of such night, she dare venture out
so far unprotected.
"Francis, have como to invite you 10
spend the evening with me; and astuFe
you that you are at liberty to sit with
your feet on the mantle piece, or wherever
you choose to place them; and it will DO
pleasure to me to zee you smoke, o., IN
fact, to do whatever you may deem At, Il
you will only stay with mel an 90
lonely all alone"
Francis was affected to tears; there. 90
the two Sat in the bright glow Of the Gre.
light, Elsie promising to ceass her fFsliing
and replning, and Francis assuring her
his home would be the happisse spOt on
earth in such case. Melhinks theacene
was worthy . witness. The room TENT
pOrarily occupied by Francis was proba.
bly, given up to some forlorn bachelor
who had nowhere else t6stay.