Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-07-31
@Ortest&r 1ailp Spp
THE DAILY SPY.
The Contrary Man.
BY MARY GRACE HALPINE.

IL was matter OF principe Wllh MI OOlu-
stream to be always on the contrary side. In
this respect, he differed from he amiabIe old
lady immortalzed by Dickens; for, whereas
F'everything went contrary" with her. lie went
contrary with everything.
Had he been born in England, and had fit.
ness been all that was necessary, he would,
doubtless, have figured largely before parli-
ament as one OF the "oppostion;" but being
born in republican America, he was obliged
to confine the exercise of his peculiar talent to
a more limited sphere.
To find out what his opinion was upon any
subject you had only to express your own, for
he was sure to take the opposite side. He was
politically democrat-that is, he always vo-
ted that ticket; but, if we may credit his re-
peated declarations, he was opposed to every
principle they advocated. He quarrelled,
persistently, with all their leading men find
ing fault with all they did and all they failed
to do.
He had been a member of the orthodox
church for a number of years; but why he
ever Joined it was puzzle to most of the
brethren. For, according to his own Ian
guage, he subscribed to none of its articles of
faith; strenuously opposing them whenever
they were mentioned with the slightest APP
proval.
He carried this amiable spirit into all the
relations of life. He married his wife simply
because her friends opposed it, and displayed,
afterwards, wonderful ingenuity in finding
out her opinions and preferences, in order
that he might contradict and thwart them, I'M
til after the first few months, she moved about
the house, to whose well ordering she devoted
all her energies, with timid, deprecating
air; as though she really begged pardon for
being there at all.
She rarely ventured to express an opinion
of her own; but when she did she was cut
short by the original observation, 'What do
women know about such matters?" or, ''my
wardrobe is in shocking condition, Mrs. C..
Not a decent collar, or above a dozen shirts
that | can wear. Not very remarkable cir
cumStance, however, when you 1ciH occupy
yourself with matters entirely beyond your
province and comprehension.
In the early part of her married life, she
had inadvertently expressed the belief that, in
purchasing articles belonging exclusively to
her own attire, she could lay out the money
TO better advantage than he. This was enough.
Ever afterwards, at a serious inconvenience
and loss of time, he insisted upon purchasing
everything for her, from a shawl down to a
skein of cotton. He was, as he frequently
asserted, ga martyr to her incompetency !"
spending whole days in penetrating into the
mysteries of dry goods aud millinery, and
bringing home ''such bargins" in the shape of
dingy silks and ribbons, and prints and de-
lanes, of such outre pattern that his wife
trembled whenever sho eo~ him coming lIouIc
with bundle under his arm, for he rarely
would entruSt his precious commodities to the
care of another.
Mrs. Codstream bore this very patiently,
, until, one day, he sent home bonnet of light
blup and nrOtusplV ornamnntpd with foworc
of the same delicate hue. She was dark
brunette, and taking it from the handbook, she
held it at arms length, and surveyed it with
an air OF CONSERVATION
GLOW could you select such color as this
my dear!" she said to her husband who stood
by, regarding it with evident compacency.
81 can never wear it in the world; look like
fright in blue"
Nothing more was needed. From that
time henceforth blue was the color with Mr.
Coldstream. In all its shades, from the dark
est indigo to the lightest azure, it was the
principal color of his wife's wardrobe; meet
ing her every remonstrance with assertion:
"a beautiful color Mrs. c., and so becom-
ing to your complexion" Mr.. Coldstream
had two children, a son and daughter, who
were brought up on the agreeable principle of
giving them everything they didn't want and
natural result of this was that the son left his
home at the first opportunity, and the daugh-
ter determined to do so, as soon as she could
obtain that Indispensable article to enable her
to do so with propriety, namely, husband.
As she was pretty and sensible, and had more
than usual share of feminine tact, her pros
poets in this respect were very encouraging.
"My dear Patty" said her mother to her
one day, sit won't do for you to encourage
Charley Reeds coming here any more; your
father has strong prejudice against him."
Now Patty owned her euphonious name to
the fact thar it was among the few that Mrs.
Coldstream disliked; a dislike that was shared
by the young lady herself, who at one time
made an effort to change to Martha. An at
tempt that was instantly vetoed by her father,
who declared ''that Patty was her name and
Patty it should be-" A fact that he lost no
opportunity of impressing upon her mind
whenever he saw her in the least inclined to
rebel against his authority.
$50 he would have against anyone that any
body else liked" was Patty's rather unfilial
rejOinder. sit is only because he thinks
am partial to him. But I've made up my mind
to one thing, won't give up Charlie!''
And Patty'S eyes grew bright, and she set
her foot down in very decided manner.
"But, my dear, what qciH you do ?" said
Mrs. Coldstream, looking very much dis
tressed. ''Your father declares he shall not
come into the house again. And you know,
as well as | do, how set he is in his way"
81 know he always contrives to be on the
contrary side, whatever happens. You needn't
look so troubled, mother. | won't have any
trouble withafather, if l can help it, if it is
only Tor your sake. But I'll manage to have
my own way tor once in my life, as YOU shall
sec"
Patty smiled as she said this, and thouph
her mother shook her head dubiouslv. ms If
she had little faith in the assertion. she offered
no further remonstrance.
The next day they were all seated topetber
in the family sitting room. Mr.. Coldstream
was in rather melancholy mood; nothing
having occurred for some time with which he
could possibly find any fault, or get up any
contention.
Patty sat by the window, to all appearance
completely absorbed in fashioning some
dainty bit of embroidery, though occasionally
her bright eyes CLEANED out upon the path that
led to the road, with an expectant look.
Suddenly she heard a step. Even before
her eyes fell upon the young gentleman, who
was just opening the gate, the warm color
flashed up from the cheeks to the temples,
probably with anger, for she Immediately ex-
claimed:
81 declared if that disagreeable Charley
Reed isn't coming here again!'
''Hey, what's that" said Mr.. Coldstream,
pricking up his ears, as though like the war
horse, he scented the battle atar off.
"Charley Reed" returned Patty, very com.
posedly threading her needle. 81 really wish