The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-06-14
Sci ECTEO ST r 7
EVENINGS AT HOME.

tells the following pleasant story:
The husband, greatly to the annoy
! ance 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 agree
ment to stay in every evening for week,
and allow her to be absent The result
was what might be expected in every
case where true and strong affection ex
! listed between the husband and wife.
Monday evening came, and George
Wilson remained true to his promise
| His wife put on her bonnet and shawl,
and he said he would remain at home
and keep house.
'sWhat will you do when l am gomez"
Emma asked.
80. shall read and sing, and enjoy
myself generally"
Very well, said Emma, Il 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 look 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 instinctiyely he turned as
though he would read 1t aloud; but there
was no wife to hear it. At halfpast
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 be got a chess board. and played
! a game with an imaginary partner. Then
he walked the floor and whi,ticd again.
81 l. 4 IL.
wife returned.
wv ell, George said she, I am back
/ in good time. How have you enjoyed
| yoursell:'
"Capitally," returned the husband, Il
had no idea it was SO late. hope you
have enjoyed YOURSELF?
/ 20, splendIdly = said the wife; Il had
no idea how much enjoyment there was
away from home. Home is dull place,
after all, ism t 1t:
Nv ny, no, can't say that 1t is re
turned George, carelessly. Indeed"
he added, Il rather like it,
Il am glad of that, retorted Emma,
for we shall have nice comfortable
week of it
George WINGED at this, but kept his
countenance, and determined to stand it
out.
On the next evening Emma prepared
to go off again.
L shall be back in good time" she
said
Where are you going, Emma?" her
husband asked
80. l can't tell exactly; | may go to
several places
So George Wilson was left alone
again, and he tried to amuse himself as
before, but he found it a difficult task
Ever and anon he would cast his eyes on
that empty chair. and the thought would
come, "how pleasant it would he If she
were hcre," The clock finally struck
nine, and he began to listen for the steps
OF his wife. Half an hour more slipped
by, and he became very nervous and
uneasy.
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
But he happened to remember that he
often reJuained 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 l not?" she said.
looking up at the clock. ''But l fell in
with some old friends How have you
enjoyed yourself:'
First rate, returned George bravely,
Il think home is q capital place"
ESPECIALLY when man can have it
all TO himself" added the wife, with
sidelong glance at her husband. But he
made no reply.
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 leaving
Where do you think OF going?'-
George asked in an undertone.
Il may drop in to see Uncle John,
replied Emma However, You won't
be uneasy. \ on will know | IN safe
10, certainly" said her husband. but
when left to his own reflection. he began
to ponder seriously upon the subject thus
presented to his 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 wife
The one thing needtui to make George
| Wilson's home pleasant was not present
Il DECLARE. he said to himself. u did
not think it would be so lonesome. And
/ can it be that she feels rs | do when she
/ is here all alone: 1t must be so; it is
! Just as she says DeAofe we were mar
ried she was very happy in her child
/ hoods home Her parents loved her,
! and her brothers aud 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 communed with himself
/ 4 cant stand this said he, Il should
/ uaaE If I
/ think | could amuse myself very well
| How lonesome and dreary it Is: And
/ only eight o'clock. | declare I've a
mind to walk down as far as Uncle
/ Johns and see if she is there. 1t would
/ be relief if | only could see her l
| won't go in She shall not know yet
| that / hold ont so family"
| George Wilson took another turn
across the room, glanced once more at
| the clock, and then took his hat and
/ went ont