The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-04-08
for the fireside Ghair.
THE RIGHT-HAND ROAD.

George and I-better known as Mr. and
Mrs Ogden-about two years after our mar
riage, settled our affairs in the great metropo-
lis, aud took our departure for the ''far West ="
Georges uncle, when dying, had bequeathed
to him a farm of really can't say how many
acres, situated about fourteen miles from the
village Of Smokieton, which contained mill,
a blacksmith shop, aud one store. As George
was not getting along very nicely-our in-
come amounting to six hundred dollars a year,
and our expenditure to but little less than
twice that sum-he thought it better to try
what he could do on the aforementioned
farm having no doubt of speedy increase in
worldly wealth for, as be said: eve
wouldn't see any one, and SO we need not try
to keep up appearances. very, little plain
furniture would be all that would be necessa-
ry, under the circumstances and, as regards
dress, why-we COULD dress anyhow =
At length we arrived at our new home
and very small one it was, so far as the
house was concerned There was only one
room on the first-foor which I called the
universal room, and corresponding number
upstairs; but afterwards persuaded George
to build partition, increasing the number of
apartments, and decreasing their size in the
same ratio-but have always vowed if COM
PEELED to sleep in the kitchen myself l mould
have spare bedroom in my house. 1t has
never yet been of the slightest use but l
am always hoping it will be and remain true
to my, frs resolves II al .13
I The first year we had very hard work to
make both ends meet, but since then, we have
had much better success. George goes to
liSmokieton about three or four times a year,
for essentials; and sometimes accompany
him, but not often--fera | always have SO
much to do, that find it impossible to give
| up nearly whole day to mere pleasure.
Before came here, l used to promise my
self an unlimited amount of enjoyment in
riding round the country; bat have seldom
/ tried it-never indeed but once, and then my
experience was not of nature to make me
wish very ardently for secon trial. 1t is
about this one ride am going TO tell
s. 4,.,s..s MY. sTo1Y, z Hsf 1s5a ~.
One evening in the early part of Novem-
ber as George and ] were sitting by the fire
he taking Journeys into the land of Nod, and
l mending his clothes--I Suddenly remem-
bered the empty state of our larder and at
the same time noticing my husbands condi-
ton, by a philanthropic and disinterested eff
! fort brought him to life again, metaphor
cally speaking, by asking the following very
natural and seemingly harmless question:
George, when do you intend to go to
| Smokieton % -,,,, ,..,,. .,s4 4a,t.
aWell, my DEAR" replied he, with scarcely
recovered faculties, and in a tone of voice
that showed he thought tia most extraordi-
nary and highly disagreeable inquiry, g what
| in the world do | want to 60 there for ?'' q
1 have often noticed, where gentlemen are
concerned, that to want thing done, which
| is at the same time sensibly inconyenient, is
most exasperating and d;scomposing-I sup
pose because of their natural willingness to
soblfge Therefore, when George answered
me sharply the way described. immedi-
ately concluded that come unseen but unsur-
'mountab e, obstacle interviewed, and that this
and not my simple question ruftied his serene
temper; and therefore mildly explained my
prenis without any attempt at self-justi6-
cation, or any outcry at haishness thus -
because there are great many necessaries
to be procured. In the first place, the wheat
must be taken. to the mill--Eor we are entire
| lv out of flourp And then followed list
of articles of various descriptions, all really
needed and to leave an impression, closed
by mentioning that needed the material for
a new pair of over-alls for him.
George acknowledged quite reasonably the
necessity for going; but added that he did
not think he could, in this instance yield to
necessity. 1 cannot remember what prevent
ed him. but knew his objection was unan-
swerable. ,,4 z5es 4s.f, -s5.s=5s5 lssT
Thereupon bright idea struck me.
.sGeorge," said ], "I'll go.''
He demuredifor a while, saying that he
was afraid j could not find my way = but
soon succeeded in making him look at it in a
proper light, and the result was, that at about
two O'Clock the next afternoon, l was in
Smokieton making my purchase.
had not started quite as early in the