Litchfield enquirer., 1861-12-26
cad and the napkin rings and spoons are not

Pray. stop, motherp said Martha. interposing with face rather nearer to scarlet than white.
 'No; I must say word further. Can thes, things be, and escape your husbands observa tion? Can such things be, and not prove daily offence and annoyance to him? Can sucf things be, and not irritate him, at times into un kindness? He would be more than mortal, my child, were he temper-proof against assaults upo1 good nature, like these.
 Martha was not a fool-though there are toe many in her position, we are sorry to say to whom the word most significantly applies. She saw through her mothers clearer vision the blindness in which she had been, aud the folly of her defective household administration saw that, in holding herself above domestic duties an:l manipulations, she was governed more by pride and indolence than just regard for wifely or womanly dignity saw that to hold fast her husbands love she must do something more for him than to offer loving words for life being real and earnest demanded earnest work from all from the delicate wife as we'll as from the most endearing husband l On the next morning as Edward lifted his cup to his lips, he said with smile of pleasure l What fine coffee, Martha Il don't know when 1 have tasted anything so delicious. Your handiwork, infer 2 And Edward look ed from his wife to her mother. 'No,' replied Mrs. Barton it is none of my handiwork.'
 | But its mine,' said the young wife, who could | not keep back the acknowledgment-her pleas ure in seeing her husbands pleasure was so great.
 Yours Edward set down his cup and looked across the table in real surprise.
 Yes, mine. I made the coffee this morning. 'You diI?' Well, as said, it is delicious! wouldn't give this cup of coffee for all the stuff that has been made in the house since we enter ed it.
 The steak was praised next.
 Did you cook this, also ? asked the husband. I superintended the work was answered. It is only necessary for some people to look at things. and they will come all right said Ed ward, and shouidnt wonder, Martha, if you belonged to the number.'
 There was a compliment and a reproof in the sentence and both was felt.
 Do Ineed to say another word my daughter ?" sad Mrs. Barton, when she was alone with Martha again.
 I think not mother was answered. Since our talk yesterday. have been locking at my place young wife, from new stand point and find that have not understood my duties. Bat they are very plain now; and 1 shall not need another reminder. Young girls fall into strange notions about wife's condition. They thHh oi IL SUHicGuIil9 uloIc tiit1ii useful as invested with more queanly dgni- ty than d homey administration of service in the household. She is to be loved and petted and cared for with nntir.ny devotion and tender ness, but caring for her husband in the unattrac- tive uses of a family in the kitchen, if need be, does not enter some mag ginatons as thing at all included in the relation of husband and wife,
 And codness, irritation, ill-nature and to, often alienation. are the consequences said Mrs. Barton. You felt change in your hus- band. Did not the cause present itself?'
 Not until you pointed it out to me-
 Ca. it be possible that you were so blind, my daughter?
 I was just so blind, mother?
 Do you wonder that Edward was 80 annoyed at times?'
 I wonder that he had so much forbearance,' was the reply. I wonder that he did not speak out plainly and tell me my duty.
 You might not have understood him. said Mrs. Barton. He could not have said all that have said. There would have been the appear ance of a selfish regard for his own comfort. Young wives do not always understand hus- bands reproving words, which are more apt to blind than enghten for they are usually spo- ken under the impulse of chafsd feeling. It is better therefore that should have helped you to see clearly in matters involving so many con- sequences