The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-11-10
9|Misttellalteo1ts,
EVENINGS AT HOME.

A writer in the Ladies Repository tells the fol-
lowing pleasant story The husband, greatly to
the annoyance Of his young wife, had acquired
the habit OF spending the evenings away from
home, and her earnest protest against this prac-
tice resulted in his agreement to stay in every
evening for week, and allow her to be absent.
The result is what might be expected in every
case where true and strong affection exists be-
tween the husband and wife.
Monday evening came, and George Wilson re-
nained true to his promise His wife put on her
bonnet and shawl, and he said he would remain
and keep house,
What will you do when l am gomez" En-
ma asked 1
-ofOh, Ishal read, and sing aud enjoy myself
generally s~ hcH
The wife went out and the husband was left
alone. He had an interesting book, and he be-
gan 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 a
passage which he knew would please his wife,
and instinctively he turned as though he would
read it aloud but there was no wife to hear it,
At half-past eight O'Clock he arose from his chair
and began 10 pace the floor and whistle. Then
he went and got his flute and played several of
his favorite airs After this he got chess board
and played game with an imaginary partner.
Then h walked the floor and whistled again.
Finally the clock struck nine, and his wife re-
turned
'WeII, George, said she, Il am back in good
time. How have you enjoyed yourselfl'
'Capitally, returned the husband Il had no
idea it was 80 late. | hope you have enjoyed
yourself!'
%, splendidly = said the wife; Il had no idea
how much enjoyment there was away from home.
Home is dull place after all, isn't it
why, no, can't say that it is, returned
George, carelessly. In fact, he added, 4 rath-
er like it,
4 am glad Of that, retorted Emma, for we
shall have nice, comfortable week of it,
George WINGED at this, but he kept his counte-
nance, and determined to stand it out
On the next evening Emma prepared to go off
again. tahh >J l}ab,a
4 shall be back in good time, she said
Where are you going, Emma?' her husband
asked
%, ] can't tell exactly, l may go several pls-
ces' sojaJ 81 saiea 'aa
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 pleasant it would be if she
were here 7 The clock finally struck nine and
he began to listen for the steps of his wife Half
nervous and uneasy.
i declare, he muttered to himself, after be had
listened for some time in vain, this is too bad.
She ought not to stay out so late
But he happened to remember that he often
remained away much later than that, go he con-
cluded TO make the best of it.
At quarter to ten Emma came home.
g "A little late, am not? 2 she said looking up
at the clock. But fell in with some old friends.
How have you enjoyed yoursef2 s
'First-rate, returned George, bravely. 4
think home is capital place. .rla,fas5
Especially when a man can have it all to him
SELF added the wife, with side-long glance at
her husband. But he made no reply. 5..es.@
On the next evening Emma prepared to 60 out
as before but this time she kissed her husband
ere she went and seemed TO hesitate about leav-
ing. II
Where do you think of going? George ask
ed in an under tone.
4 may drop in to see Uncle john replied EN-
ma. However, you won't be uneasy You will
know | m safe
20, certainly, said her husband but when
left to his own reflections, he began to ponder
seriously upon the subject thus presented for con-
sideration.
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. sr. Hs
4 declare he said to himself, i did not think
it would be SO lonesome. And can it be that she
feels as do when she is here all alone? 1t must
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, and her brothers
and sisters loved her, and they did all they could
to make her comfortable
After this he walked up and down the room
several times, and then stopped again and COM
muned with himself. "a
! can't stand this, said be, | should die in
week. If Emma were here, think ! conld
amuse myself very well. How lonesome and
I dreary it is And only eight clock Ideclare
| I have mind to walk down as far as Uncle
| john and see if she is there. won go. in
| She shan't know yet that 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. s.,l...fq Is
| He then locked the door after him, and bent
bis steps towards Uncle Johns. aey
| 1t was a beautiful moonlight night, and the
air was keen and bracing. He was walking
along with his eyes bent upon the pavement,
whens6e heard a light step approaching bim,-
He looked up, and-he could not be mistaken
| he saw his wife. ..#5s..s
| His first impulse was to avoid her, but she had
recognized him.
George, she said in surprise, can this be
you I? .s =, bsasg.r s..
: 1t is, was the response. ss s ssssg
| And do you pass your evenings at home y
This is the first time | have been out, EN-
ma, upon my word and even now ! have not
been absent from the house ten minutes, mere
ly came out TO take the fresh air. But where
are you going !? -, i
T am going home, George; will you go with
me p e.,sss.,r .Ess-
Certainly returned George. ,.e.t,,ssf =,
She then took his arm, and they walked home
in silence. ,.s.s. 81, f.sf ,a.rt basa,
When Emma bad taken off her things, she sal
down in her chair and looked at the clock on
the wall. sI .ss,sSs = -. -