Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-05-11
QDblo Statesr1rart.
EVENINGS AT HOME.

following pleasant story:
The husband, greatly to the ANNOYANCE of
his young wife, had acquired the habit OF
spending his evenings away from home,
and her earnest protest against his practice
resulted in his agreement to stay in every
evening for week, and allow her to be
absent. The result is what might be eX-
ppcted in every case where true and strong
affection exists between the husband and
wife. I ..r .r..... .. ....... -...
Monday evening came, and George Will
son remained true to his promise. His wife
put on her bonnet and shawl, and he said
he would remain home and keep house.
'What will you do when am goneT
Emma asked.
20, shall read, and sing, and enjoy my
self generally" n.l
VERY weli,'' said Emma, 81 shall be back
early"
The wife went out and the husband was
left alone. He had an interesting book. and
he began to read it. He read till eight
o'clock, and then he began to yawn, and
looked frequently at the clock. The book
did not interest him as usually. Ever and
anon he would come to passage which he
knew would please his wife. and instinc..
lively he turned AS though he would read
it aloud; but there was no wife TO hear 1t.
AT half-past eight o'clock he arose from his
chair and began to pace the floor and
whistle. Then he went and got his flute
and played several of his favOrite airs. AT
ter this he got chess bOrad, and played
game with an imaginary partner. Then ne
walked the floor and whistled again. Fin
ally the clock struck nine, and his wife re-
turned.
"Well, George" said she, 81 am back in
good time. How have you enjoyed your
self?' .--sn... ..H
"Capitally," returned the husband; 81
had no idea it was so late. lhope you have
enjoyed yOursef?"
10, spiendidly - said the wife; 81 had
no idea how much enjoyment there was
away from home. Home is such dull
place, after all, isn't it?"
"Why, no, can't say that it is.' return
ed George, carelessly. 'In fact" he ad-
dCd. Il rather like it," .- ....
II am glad of that" retOrted Emma, "fOr
we shall have anice comfortable week Of
it,"
George WINGED at this, but he kept his
countenance, and determined to stand it
out.
On the next evening Emma prepared to
60 off again.
II shall be back in good time" she said.
y
20, can't tell exactly; | may go to sew
eral places"
So George Wilson was left alone again,
and he tried to amuse himself as before, but
he found it difficult task. Ever and anon
he would cast his eyes on that empty chair,
and the thought would come, How pleas
ant it would be if she were here !" The
clock finally struck nine, and he began to
listen for the steps of his wife.
IL declare" he muttered to himself, after
he had listened for some time in vain, "this
is too bad. She ought not to stay out so
late" ...r-r
But he happened to remember that he
often remained away much later than that,
so he concluded to make the best of it.
At quarter to ten Emma came home.
"a little late, am nOt?" she said, look
ing up at the clock. But | fell in with
some old friends. How have you enjoyed
yOurseliW
First rate" returned George. bravely.
81 think home is capital place."
ESPECIALLY when man can have it all
to himself" added the wife, with side
long glance at her husband. But he made
no reply.
On the next evening Emma prepared to
90 out as before; but this time she kissed
her husband ere she went, and seemed to
hesitate about leaving.
"Where do you think of going?" George
asked in an undertone.
"Imay drop in to see Uncle john" re-
piled Emma. "HOwever, you won't be un-
easy. You will know am safe"
"Oh, certainly" said her husband; but
when lett to his own reflections he began
to ponder seriously upon the subject thus
presented for consideration.
He could not read, he could not play or
enjoy himself in any way, while the chair
was empty. In short. he found that home
had no real comfort without his wife. The
one thing needful to make George Wilson's
home pleasant was not present.
II declare" he said to himself ~ did
not think it would be so lonesome. And
can iC be that she feels as do when she is
here alone? Itmust be SO; it is just as she
says. Before we were married she was
very happy in her childhood's home. Her
parents loved her, brothers and sisters loved
her, and they did all they could to make her
comfortable" a- II
After this he walked up and down the
room several times, and then stopped again
and communed with himself.
IL can't stand this" said he, II should
die in week. If Emma were here, think
| could amuse myself very well. How lone
and dreary it is! And only eight o'clock !!
| declare I've a mind to walk down as far as
Uncle Johns, and see il she is there. |
won't 60 in. She shan't know yet that L
hold out so family"
George Wilson took another turn across
the room, glanced once more at the clock,
and then took his hat and went out.
He then locked the door after him, and
bent his steps towards Uncle Johns.
1t was a beautiful moonlight night, and
the air was keen and braeing. He was
walking along with his eyes Dent on the
pavement, when he head light step ap-
preaching him. He looked up, and-he
could not be mistaken-he saw his wife.
His first impulse was to avoid her, but
she had recognized him.
"George," she said in surprise, ''can this
be you?" '. .
? ut is" was the response. Hr#ar ...
sand do you pass your evenings at
homew .'.4 nm. f....-y...,... ..... '..
This is the first time l have been QUIT
Emma, upon my word, and even now |
have not been absent from the house ten
minutes. | merely came out to take the
fresh air. But where are you goingW '..'
81 am going home, George; will you go
with me?" 'n.aI h..
"Certainly," returned George.
81 She then took his arm and they walked
home in silence. ..,.
When Emma had taken off her things,
she sat down in her chair and looked at the
clock on the wall. iprT 9tr moan ..4.
"You are home early Tonight" remarked
her husband. -....,.L ''' ''s.
The young wife looked up into her hus.
bands face, and with an expression half