The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-08-02
Misfellaueaas.
ABOVE HALF RIGHT.

aAbove half right above half right" ex-
claimed Mr.. Marvin, at the. close Of a very
long reverie, Us he sat by the kitchen stove.
"what is above half right?" asked his
little wife, who was jus, entering TO call him
to tea. Il
"Oh, no matter, Fanny, hut I'm glad if
tea 10 ready-the chill has gone outside, and
that will set mo all right Within"
" But, I insist upon knowing to what
that oracular conclusion REFERRED" said
Fanny. ." E.f ... .... .a
Now witt, the bright face Of his wife.
and the pleasant prospect Of supper before
him, Marrin would rather have been cx-
cused from telling his previous cogita.ions |;
bu, Fanny insisted.
aPour me cup Of tea then, and ir you
arc willing to risk spoiled supper, you
shall know"
aWhat is the mystery ?" said Fanny, as
she passed fragrant cup Of ten to her hus.
band.
aNo mystery at all. I was only draw
ing comparison, as I sat by the kitchen
fire, between Tom Hughes home, manner
Of living, in fact housekeeping arrange.
menls generally, and our own."
sAud who is above half right?" asked
Fanny, quickly, "surely not Tom and
Clara-every,hing at loose ends-perfect
carelessness, not to call 1t slackness, stamp.
ed on everything ou, Of doors and in
Such yard and garden! Sweet flowers,
to be sure, but oyerrun with weeds-walks
neglected - borders broken or altogether
los, and inside, oh dear, could never at
tempt to describe it." ..
~ know il! know it /! but comfort is
what was looking at, Fanny" And Mr..
Marvin laughed in spite Of himself at Fan.
ny's blank look.
"More confusion than comfort, should
say" I
Well, it's all as one feels aboutit Too
much precision is apt to be chilling" and
visions Of linen chairs and ottomans. gauzs
covered pictures, and darkened windows
in his own perfectly kept parlor, would rise
up in contrast with the pleasant freedom Of
his friends less preteutious and moro com
monty used rooms. ...........
40, you got wet to night, and because !
didn't rush, as Clara would have done, and
hurry you into The parlor, wet boots and
dripping overcoa,, umbrella and all, to ruin
the carpet md marble hearth, you sat and
had all thcss fancies over the kitchen firc." "
"Fanny," and Mr.. Marvin's voice assum.
ed harsher tone than usual, "you would
know INV thoughts-a man Is not RESPONSE.
bio to his vito for having them, take il, 20
don't be offended IL I revealed them at your
request. believe love neatness aud or
der as well q any u,an, but I don't love 10
Be- crumped and hamPsrsd q, every turn,
afraid to stay here or sit there. A little use
and a little less ceremony. a little moro
wear and tear, and little less forrnality,
wouldn't h seem little moro homelike ,"
.This letting down Of things I mover
could bear" was tho quiet reply. "Now
tell me candidly, Edward, would you be
willing I shoulj let Alice and Arthur bring
their books and dominoes into tho parior,
to build forts aud railroads on the parlos
carpet, OF let Susie have her dolls and tea
Get there or thump over the piano with her
mercilsss, lat fingers, for the sake Of . jar.
gon Of q noiss, Instead Of keeping them in
tho nursery, and allowing them only TO
como IN the parlof when properly dussed p
'Csndidly. yes; ] would really like Il !
Dsar little things let them 30 happy in ev.
cry room, and not have q paflor seem 10
them % Sunday used to seem to ma;
| should DOT give ibsm an inkstand uucorksd
/ to play with, nor allow rude games, nor