Smyrna times., 1867-03-13


drop when she is by, and l luxuriate in my
easy y-chair and warm slippers, and, gazing on
my pretty wife as she fits about the room like !
household fairy as she Isl feel that | am
bleSt among men. but this state Of things is |
not calculated to last. The next evening finds
Jack in his old place; his abominable face more
undeniable9 good looking than ever.)
lie Is fresh, open, and gOod-tempered is
Jack (why in the name of fate shouldn't he
be good d-tempered when talking to my wife p
and his honest eyes (these fellows always have
honest eyes, express unqualified admiration of
my wife. Mine! Let me say it again, it does
me good; my wife, Jack; dozen times over,
mine While she on her part has tonight
discarded the cherry -colOred ribbons, and has
come out all over blue ribbons, Il wish Jack
wouldn't alter his taste in ribbon so often, it
makes our bills high, and is altogether most
bewitching
What am l to do? can't prevent her
looking lovely (and | wouldn't if [ could.) |
cannot stop the>supplics. | can't snip away
those dstracting ribbons. Sooner than resort
to such measures, let all the Jacks ever heard
or thought of, drink my wines, read my papers
( | wish Jack tcOuld read the papers a little
more when he comes here; he knows nothing
about politics., or sing themselves hoarse to
my wife 5 sweet accompaniment! (Still, if |
c0Uid think of any half measure that would
prevent Jack from giving us more than, say,
five evenings week of his valuable time,
should feel it relief)
have an idea! Il dare say my wife does
not think me capable Of it, but l have. Jack
! likes pretty women q have a tolerably good
proof OF this every day of my life y suppose
! introduce him to one. | know one who is,
strictly speaking Though | have never found
any one who thought so,) far more beautiful
than my wife | will take Jack there this very
night and see If she can act as a corrective to
the blue and red ribbons. | mention it to
Jack He doesn't see it, of course q never
expected he would3 but he consents to 90
with me, and he goes. She iOeSnt act as a
corrective to the blue and red ribbons (ofcourse
she doesn't; he's much too far gone for that
Jack says she's not his style" NjS style is
probably at the moment flirting furously with
Dick of my bachelor days. and the evening is
failure.
We both come away in bad humor mot al
uncommon occurrence in my case, by-the-by,
and bear with us invitations to an approaching
ball, to which, of course, she will wish to 90
She does wish to 60; she says it will be de
lightful" When the night arrives, she ap
pears in complete ballroom attire, like "a
g. Vision of light" Jack very kindly remarks.
Talk of her beauty (though it $ really wortl
talking of in her everyday ordinary dress
any dress ever looked ordinary on her. what i
it then to what it is now Well She look
very lovely in her feathery whiteness, and al
: very proud of her. and should be quite willin!
to go to this or any other ball, and see her en-
q Joy herself as much as she could, poor child
# (were it not that, downstairs, waiting for III
e is-Jack.l
,r Jack! In the most dandifed "get up,
)t with the most irreproachable tie, and in h
y hand the most exquisite boquet of white cam,
}; has. CThey are not for me, but perhaps tt
next best thing to present for oneself shOu
Sc be present for ones wife, l say nOthir
We Chiefly because | have nothing to say,) and v
n set off. My wife says, Should | mind goir
ne outside, because her dress does take up
ly much roOm?" don't mind it, and go Ou
u side.
he
,e, They Jack and my wife) are dancing the
H. seventh round dance | feel that tonight
he ther Jack or will go mad land that it won
on be Jack.) | make last effort. | tell my wi
al that | feel unwel, and hint that | should Ill
as to return home. She is goodness itself ST
ce, is so sorry! The heat Of crowded ballroom
ff is the worst thing possible for a headache
he must go home at once; | need not feel the lie;
is uneasy about her Jack will sec her home.
| (Will he? Not if know it, | sit on. The
art they 60 again, galOp the eighth q wish o,
uf- for instance could then be content to sit a
= look on for any length of time. How you
| she looks, how unutterably fair, with her bl
red eyes shining, and her soft hair pushed fir
uld her flushed cheeksD
or The evening comes to an end at last and
= take my little wife home (and listen to her
w. nocent laughter and grlish glee with a thar
full heart, for my darling is as open and
ing pure as the day.) Still must take some III
Nv sures (for Jack sake.)
mt Poor Jack think about all the rest of
yer night, and hit upon little plan to show j
ms that my little wife pretty ways and caress
and manners are natural to her, and insepara
ght from her, and are bestowed on others as frt
len as ON him.
lrry coax Dick Chat is, I mention it to D
at who Jumps at the idea) to come and spend
evening with us. He arrives about
SAINT minutes betyre Jacks usual hour for
ID pearing, and put him and my wife dOwr
sit the piano (Which means that | do nothing
by the kind, but that they establish themselvC
with that instrument, and L don't intertere.) j
)ons arrives. Jack evinces astOnishment, be
ored derment, discontinue. Sitting back on
her music stool, accompanying without book,
sus- her blue eyes are raised above the level of
Is to music desk, is my wife, while over her Il
me, Dick, singing with the greatest expression
and burden of Balfe's popular song: Then "
erSa- remember me. Jack IS SulklneSs ltSeli
ee so night, and provokingly proof against all
out little wifes attempts to flatter him into /
have social state Of mind. He takes his leave G;
get and confdes to me at parting that he thinl
slant shall go abroad 3" for after all, old fellow,
easy says, there is nothing TO be d)ne in
pers, land" l agree with him, and hint til
rings would like to know in what part of the v
teal, he thinks there.is anything to be done,
side, he replies, still sulkiy busy with his g
ming coat. "Its all one | don't suppose til
Years anything to be done anywhere" l re
mt a "Well, goodbye, old chum, ifyou really
saws. it. 1 suppose when you come back you
gone, bringing your, wife with you-some 70
5av y beauty to staftle the natives" Jack ca
1cR n hold of my arm, and in the tone of one
Avn delivers new idea, says, ' But what is
h ber tyY' (rather good that, from Jack, "an
.;onJs = n sides~all women are humbugs."
no ootoJ So Jack goes off land cannot but feel
% rsailu tily glad at Jacks departure.) Absence
Of nc Be very good for Jack, know. Wherea