The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1864-04-06
RIFLES.
4 woRp no MAnRlsp prorLn.

Il
ant sound to me, especially in my idle moods.
| Like an unopened lettor, there is q mystery
about it, and one waits with pleasurable
exc itement TO see who or what is coming.
Returning homo one day, earlier than
usual, found my wifc had gone out and
while loungins idly over the paper, the
| bell rang.
| waited oxpootaht till Bridget appeared
| with note, containing request frem my
| old friend, DR. Stcarns, to ride out to his
residence in tho country, the next day, to
transact some business that had been long
| pending, and an invitation to bring my wife
and spend the day.
was pleasod--first because wanted
the business completed and, secondly, be-
cause thought needed days recreation.
Butthe next morning everything seemed
TO go wrong. Alice could not accompany
me, and could not get of as early as /
| wished and, consequently, wes peeviah
| and frottul and Alice reflected my humor,
| suppose--as it appeared to me she lad
never been so unamiable.
At length, however, drove away, though
not in a very pleasant mood. II was .
lovely October day, aud as l rode along
noting the tints of the landscape, memory
went back to tho golden autumn when I
woed and won my bride.
How lovely Alice was thenl thought.
Aud how happy We were! But that was
long ago. Yet nature is the same, though
we are changed. Let mo seo we have
boen married three years is II possible it
is no longerH
And felt pang as contrasted tho
past with tho present, to think that we
could settle down into the common place
life we now led.
We had no serious trouble, we didn't
quarrel; but when felt cross, things did'ut
go to suit mo, took no pains to conceal
It, and often spoke harshly to Alice, who
sometimes replied with the same spirit,
sometimes with tears. Yet we were gen.
orally good friends. But the charm, tho
tenderness of our early love had imporcep'
tibly vanished.
Ihad become careless about my appear.
ance at home, and Alice was equally neg.
ligent Her beautiful brown hair, which
she usedto wear in the most becoming
curls, was now usually brushed plainly boz
hind her ears unless she was going out, or
expected company. dismissed the subject
with sigh, at the doctors gate, with the
reflection that it was tho same with all mar
ried people-must he so, in faot---for how
could romance and sentiment find place
among so manly prosy realities l supposed
we were as happy as anybody and yet, Il
was not the kind of life had looked forward
W WIN nO many bAA6ut hbtSipobiOhos
The doctor came cut and greeted me
cordially. In the hall we met AIRS. Stearns,
looking fresh and lovely, in her pink, mus.
lin wrapper, with her jetty hair in tasteful
brads. She scolded me playfully for not
bringing my wife, chatted @ few minutes,
and then hittod away, while tho doctor, re-
marking that his motto was business first
, and pleasure afterwards, led the way to the
library.
!, As wo entered the room noticed vase
OF bright autumn flowers on the table, i'm.
/ parting an air of taste and cheerfulness to
the apartment. | made some remarks about
it, to which the doctor respondeli
"Yes, | am very fond Of flowers, and
love to 500 them in the house and as
spond much timo here, my wife always
y keeps vase of them on the table as long
|, as they last"
, Our business was finished before dinner,
and we walked out in tho grounds, which
5 were quito extensive, and tastefully o..
ranged.
When wo reached the house, Mrs.
. Stearns was on the stops. The doctor, still
y continuing our conversation, gave her the
, flowers, with bow and smile, and holding
; up spray of crimson berries, which he
y had broken of, she bent her head while he
| fastened it among the dark braids Of he's
p. hair. L. w.
1t was triAing incident, yet their man.
, ner arrested my attention. Had been q
, stranger, | should havo pronounced then,
| lovers instead of sober married people. AL
, through tho day noticed the same delicate
attention and doference in their department
, to each othor.
There was nothing of which tho most
. fastidious guest could complain yet while
D showing mo the most cordial attention, they
-, -. al, 49,. -.
! ence, as married people often do.
/ had never visited the doctor before, and
/ was very much pleased with his tasteful
home. said 80, after d!rnor, when we
| strolled into tho woods.
!, "Yes," he said, al think It Is pleasant;"
and he added, " ! believe am contented
man 80 far am not disappointed in life."
How long have you been married, doe
/ tor 7" / asked.
. Ten years.
; WELL | pursued, 'can you tell mo
/. whence comes the bright atmosphere that
, surrounds your homel Tell ME how you and
Mrs. Stearns manage to retain the depth and
\ freshness of your early love, as you seem
i to do. should think the wear and tear OF
! life would dim il somewhat. never saw
. home where my ideal of domestic hap
r piness was realized before, 1t is what
have dreamed Of
The doctor smiled, and pointing to d
/ thrifty grapevine climbing over a neat lat
i tice, and loaded with purple fruit, he said
{ That vine needs careful attention, and If
] properly cared for, it is what you see it
but if neglected, how soon would it be-
come worthless thing. So the love which
+ is to ALL at sone period, the most precious
= thing in life, and which needs 80 much
! care to keep it unimpaired, is generally
: neglected. All! my friend, il Is iittlo acts
y -triles-that 80 often estrange loving
!. hearta. l have always made il point TO
!, treat my wife with the same courtesy that
: characterized my deportmcnt IN the days Of
l conrtship aud while | am careful not to
Q offend her tastes and little predjudicss,
!, am sure that mine viii be equally respected.
0 That night rode homeward, pondering
5 the doctors words and reviewing the years
j of our married life. was surprised at my
+ own blindness, and determined 10 recall the
$ early dream, ii possible.
The next morning at breakfast aston.
ished Alice by a careful toilet, chAttsd
G over the dinner, and, after tea, mfitsd her
: to ride, When she came down III nv IA.
! vorite blue organdie. with her hair 10 Shin.
4 ing curls, thought she never looked love.
! lier.
: l exerted myself, as Of old. 10 entertain
her, and was surprised to find how quickly
| and pleasantly the evening naahad