Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1864-12-07
A CHAPTER FOR WIVES.


''Well, said l, one tine morning last week,
Il have the prospect of a leisure afternoon
IA somewhat unu zual thing with me-and,
all being We'll, viii DO little neediul shop
| ping; cali aud pass an hour with my old
friend Mrs. Ashburton, whom, on account
OF the distance, | have neglected OF late,
and then drop in and take friendly cup OF
tea with my niece, Clara " Nhltt0rd.
Having completed nly household arrange
ments, | accordingly set out after an early
dinner, aud the shopping done, made my
fr,t call. Mrs. A>hburton : warm welcome,
pleasing talk aud cheerful tireslde would
have proved strong temptations TO induce
me to accept her Inyii alton to stay tor the
evening, had | not felt anxious TO see my
niece, whose residence was much nearer my
own.
On arriving al Clara door, | was not
little surprised to see no light in the front
part of the house, Il am afraid they are not
at home | thought, wIth.a regretfui men
tai glance backward To the pretty home PIC
ture had ju-t Left. But [ was mistaken.
4 servant came in answer to my ring at the
door bell, and ushered NE into the dining
room, lit the ga. and Went to summon her
mistress. | had ample time to look about
me before Clara made her appearance, and
could not help admring the perfect order
and good taste hch prevailed in the apart
nent and its furniture. l was the more
pleased TO notice this as my niece, when
married did not promise to become very no
table a. a housewife.
| was beginning to tire of waiting-my
brisk walk over, | felt chilly in the hreieSs
room-when Clara entered fastening Il little
article OF dress evidently just assumed. Her
greeting wa, most cordial, and yet there was
a shade Of regret in her tone When our
first sautatOnS were overs SAID w by,
my dear aunt, did you not eave me know
you We're coming. and | should have been
better prepared TO receive YOU
Surely Clara | replied mo prepara-
ton Is needed before you can be>tow cup
Of tea on 30 near a relative aS | am. Pray
do not make nay friendly cali into Il ceremo-
NOUS visit, or | snail be tempted to run a
way again in place of waiting until after tea,
and begging Mr.. W milford 5 ESCORT alDme.
Pray. dear aunt, do not thluk Gf such
thing | will light this fire i'll moment,
aud ,he room will De warm aud comfortable.
So saying, Clara was about appiyu e
light between the bars Of the CRATE, when i
stopped her.
You must have fire somewhere, my
dear, | SAID, and where you were sitting
when [ arrived, will, | am sure, suit me best,
If | AIN TO disturb any of your arrangements
L VIII leave you forthwith.
Then, if so, aunt, you will have TO ex-
cuse my taking you into the nursery.
Anywhere to warm tiresides, Clara, but
is Whittord from home ?'
NO, aunt; he is here, replied my niece,
her color rising as she spoke.
| augAngiy congratula ed her on her nus
bands liking + T the company OF her hrst
born; but, perceiving no evidence OF lea
sure on her countenance, L asked her II the
baby was well.
oh, YES, quite so, thank you. aunt. To
say the truth, it was my doing that We are
in the nursery tonight, and Frederick is not
too well pleased about it, but 1t saves so
much trouble, and the other rooms have
just been cleaned and put IN order But
do not say word, She added as she open
ed the nursery door.
My nephew advanced an shook me warm
ly by the hand, and then, turning to Clara,
said, Il hope, my dear, you do not intend
to make your aunt nursery guest. If you
do, | shall not wonder If her visits become
still more rare.
ha,tened to assure him that had been
brought there at my own request, and beg
ged that nc difference mig be made; but
quietly ringing the bell, he desired the ser
want to light the dining room fire, and bring
word when it was well burnt. Clara bit her.
lip, and looked red and uncomfortable, White
|, feeling still more 50. occupied lyselt 10
admiring the baby | could, however dis
tinguish easily enough, two or three little
articles which convinced me that a tea equi-
page had just been removed; and certainly
this was not what should have expected to
see at Clara's home, knowing the comtorta-
bic and even affluent income of her husband.
| felt sorry that my unceremonlous visit
should have produced such an alteration IN
the arrangements; for [ could tell by the
production Of sundry keys, etc, that many
articles not in common use were to be brought
ont and the evening meal deferred on
nv account. Besides, felt grieved at Mr..
WhitfDrd..s i'll concealed vexation, not dis
PLAYED towards me, but his wife.