Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-04-17
APRIL II, 1858.

than that IN any other mans house.
well. she had no business to marry
Robert Thompson. she said moodily TO her
sell. her slender wrists aching from beating
over the butter for Hubbard every body
always said he was close and shrewd, and
rophesied that he would bc rich. some day
what did she care for riches. II they didn't
do her any good-didn't make her lie any
isirer or softer? She Was not fitted 10 be
farmers wife--and yet she had loved Rob.
ert Thompson" She said this halt savagely.
as It she was di'gusted and angry with her
self for it,
And yet Robert Thompson was not an
unkind man-only thoughtlcss. lie was a
type of very large class of men-more
especially farmers who do not feel. in them.
@sihetic nature demands Absorbed in his
stock. his crops and bis politics. he did not
realize that his wife needed, and had right
to, few of the things that. with her pecu liar
organism. were as much need OF her being
as the food she ate.
And SO. IA the years ran on, thoy grew
further and further apart he getting more
and more absorbed in gain. and growing
more careless of looks and culture, and
more thoughtless. and less tender in regard
TO his vile 5 tastes. or tolls. while she grew
bitter and despondrnt. and irritable.
Robert Thompson was besides. a little
inclined TO faull-finding. and not being u,
all of 4 sensitive temperament himself. he
did not realize how keenly he wounded his
wife and when, sometimes. she gave back
bitter retort, he wondered what it was that
had ,ourcd her disposition so. for he re-.
mcmbered she used to be called unusually
swee, tempered.
All through the long forenoon Mrs.
Thomp, on had nursel her wrath. Robert
was selfish and unreasonabl lc. and she did
not care who knew it. She "icoulH not
bave the circle NEE, there, and set the table
with that old fashioned china. and that
stained and cracked melberry. no. not Tor
twenty Robert Thompso ons. The rooms
were shabby and ou; OF date enough. mercy
"'N" S'. hN' thVu-ut1 AtNilNtu Np llt
pretty. tasteful homes OF her friends. where
she had met OF "circle dav "
Fifteen minutes before noon, and full that
time before dinner would be ready--for
they were usually little behind, and Mr..
Thompson always wanted ais dinner boiling
hot--Mrs. Thompson saw four tired, heated,
hungry looking men coming up through the
orchard. The table was not set. and she
hurried quickly about it. Just then Frank
aud Charlie, her two boys. came rushing in
from school. each shonti &. Mother. "
Mother" and each wanting something
"righ, Oft She felt tired. and hurrie d
and out OF temper. which was not helped oy
her husbands impatient:
why isn't dinner ready? told you we
were III hurry today II hadn't any.
thing to do all the forenoon bu, get dinner.
Ia 'rv TO do it before nisht"
y bitter retort sprans to her lips, but
just then Charlie cried out:
% mother, mother. j1st look at my new
copy. amt going 20 write a. b. abs. any
'4'p' ~ eplhN W N1lht Nfllbt nttt. lu,I
like Frank. just YOU read it. mother.
The teacher said | must get it by hear; and
always remember t."
Mrs. Thompson glanced up. LAYING III,
plates as she read "A sol, answer turne,t
away wrath. but grieyous words stir ur
anger" Ii was not tha; it was ncw-.hc hal
read it scores Of times but something IN
It's appropriateness. that lcil ike a cool hand
on her hraied pulses.
II will have it ready in moment.
Robert, she said. quietly.
lie looked up evidently he had not ex.
perled just that reply. Tor Il the truth mus,
be told, be had thought more than once
that forenoon OF his wic's request not that
lac thought of granting it. but he cxpc,ted
that she would. as be termed j., 'sulk over
it,"
81 say. boys. be said, a. they wen. into
the cold north room TO their dinner. ut
dont Zee much here a. il did down 20 rhe
meadow \ woman has 81 easy time OF it.
they don't know What hct weather is
Ms. Thompson waiting on the table with
scarlet face. did not reply bat Hubbard
CAV" Jones queer look out Of the corner
Of be eye as he bali glanced 1t her.
WHY hadn't you see the butter in tie
stove, you Nigh: A. we'll don't believe
thcre's any need Of having the butte. ke
this. u it j. warm weather" be growled
II took It out Of the g. lar since you came
m bnt | will 60 down and &c, some more.
i you thing Id better" vas the pleasant
reply
No. never mind Wen, declare Why
diln't ycu boil tbs mea'? It's hard a. a