The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-03-10
AND FAITHFUL. AND VALIANT FOR
,BIDDEFoRD, NE. FRIDAY MORNING.

oieton reads, ana sometimes go 70 sieep ~
the large chair. but can't do that always
and then play at solitaire, but rs never
can get the cards right, I get SO tired that
you can't imagine how delighted ] am to
see the suppcr.tray come in, for then Allen
leaves his books and We have little chat
and after that IL il time to 60 to bed. ~.
"Are you fond Of rsadiDg?" inquired
Mrs. Harris. l'''-
NO." answered Mrs. Middleton, with
the utmost simplicity; "I hate reading
I had rather play at solitaire. I want Allen
to teach me ecarfe, but he won't I think
he uight-dont your" she said appealing
ly. cit is so dull to play alone"
"Well, there 10 your music" continued
Mrs. Harris; "you have not given that up
hope?"
III sing now and them" she answered,
"but Mr.. Middleton does not care for mu
ric," she added complainingly; "and there
is no pleasure in singing, you know, when
nobody is listening"
"Do you never sew?" continued Mrs.
Harris, now quite interested and amused by
the young wiies details. .F
"l used too" she replied, "but now ]
have nothing. got more Of every thing
when married than cain ever wear ont,
and there is no use, you know, in making
any thing else. Iwish did want some
thing" she added, mournfnlly. "for I like
sewing" .t
"You arc we'll off," replied Mrs. Harris,
laughing, "to be without want" but
knowing at the same time that the want Of
occupation was the greatest Of all wants,
she added, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES I teach
you new knitting stitch that have just
learned, and perhaps II may a,nuse you to
knit purse for your husband ?"
"Oh. thank you, exclaimed Laura, with
real animation; III should like 1t Of oil
things" and needles and silk were quickly
produced, and the ladies were soon deep in
the mysteries of putting twos into ones and
ones into twos, and Lauras tones were as
earnest and as eager as II she was really en-.
gagged in matter Of great Importance.
"Oh, thank YOU" sho again repeated, as
she continued her lesson "this is charming.
Now Allen may read aloud as much as he
pleases."
"ls Mr.. Middleton fond Of reading aloud ?"
inquired Mrs. Harris with a smile.
"Yes believe he is," replied Laura re.
suming her knitting ;-"that is, last night
he proposed reading to me, and then he got
quite angry because yawned. But could
not help it; was 80 tired. Hamlet is
enough to mako anybody yawn-is it not ?
There, that is right-now two and then four
again." and Hamlet and Mr.. Middleton were
both quickly forgotten In the purse. ,e
As Mrs. Harris left the house she could
not but smile as she remembered the many
conversations she had had with Middleton,
with whom she had been intimate many
years, upon tho subject Of marriage ard oil
his requirements in wife, and to see what
they had all ended in amused her at the
moment excessively; and her mind fully oc.
suped with the subject, the tirst person she
came upon in turning the corner was Mid
dlston himself. They both stopped. and she
conscious Of the train Of thought just passing
through her brain. looked both amused and
embarrassed as she said with some little hest.
tation-"l have just been sitting an hour
with your pretty little wife, Mr. Middleton.
she has promised to come in and see me
of an evening. wish you would bring her
soon." .ar.s..
Middleton colored, for he knew Mrs. Har-
ris well, and tefe-a.tete between Laura and
his quick.witted hut not very merciful friend
was not just the thing that he would have
chosen, but he could only profess himself
most anxious to secure his wife the society
and friendship Of Mrs. Harris, and promise
to do his share towards promoting an intima.
cy 80 kindly invited by his old friend; and
Middleton walked home under an unpleas.
ant consciousness Of he did not exactly know
what. He found his wife just where Mrs.
Harrishad left her, knitting for dear life. lie
asked some questions relative to Mrs. Harris's
visit, but Laura. never very clear or graphic
in her details, was now quite too much ab
sorbed in her work to give any very satisfac.
tory account Of what interested him 30 much,
and FROM the little he did gather his uneasi.
ness and irritation were not dispclled.
"Do leave of that confounded knitting"
he said, presently, somewhat sharply. ''and
let US have dinner"
"You seom hungry" she said. gaily. as
she rang the bell. "Thsre, is not that pref.
ty?" she continued, as she bald up her work
for his admiration. a. sr'lns'. '..
"What do know about such nonsense3"
he replied, putting aside her hand rather
rudely. "Ring again" av sssI
"why! Allan, what is the matter with
you'" said Laura, looking up surprised.
"lIow cross you are" aiirs7
Middleton fclt that he was, and had The
grace to be ashamed Of his temper. and max
ing On effort, he answered-"Don't you
knov thai hum 0rv men ara slva - orosa lova i