Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-07-15
fnr Husbands and tEiues.
"MY FORTUNE Is MADE.r
A STORY FOR YOUNG WIVES.

Of the band-box" Cora was a belle. and
had many admirers. Among these was
young man named Edward Douglass. saw
from the first that if Douglass pressed his
suit, Cora's heart would be an easy conquest
and so it proved. | warmly approved my
friends choice, and called her husband q
lucky man. But visit which | paid to
Cora one day, about six weeks after the
honeymoon had expired, awoke some unpleas-
ant doubts. Cora wore soiled and rumpled
morning wrapper her hair was in papers
she had on dirty stockings, and a pair Of old
slippers down at the heels
Bless me, Cora" said I, what is the
matter?"
why do you ask Is my disha5ille ra-
ther on the extreme p
"Candidly, think it is, Cora,r was my
frank answer.
3" Oh, well no natter" she carelessly re-
Iplied, "my fortunes made"
g. don't clearly understand you" said J.
I'm married, you know"
" Yes; | am aware of that fact"
4" No need of being so particular in dress
now"
"Why not ~
" Didn't just say7' replied Cora. my
fortunes made. I've got a husband, aud he
doesn't want to see me rugged out in silks and
satius all the time Edward has more sense
than that, ilatter myself"
Z" Street or ballroom attire is one thing
Cora; and becoming home apparel another.
We look for both in their place"
Thus | argued with the thoughtess young
wife, but my words made no impression.
When abroad she dressed with exquisite taste,
and was lovely to look upon; but at home
she was careless and sloyenly.
The habits Of Mr.. Douglass on the contra
ry, did not change. He was as orderly as
before, and dressed with the same regard to
neatness The slovenly habits into which
Cora had fallen annoyed him seriously.
When he hinted anything on the subject, she
did not hesitate to reply in jesting manner,
that her fortune was made, and she need not
trouble herself any longer about how she
looked.
Douglass did not feel very much compl-
mented, but as he had his share Of good sense,
he saw that to assume cold and offended
manner would do no good.
" If your fortune is made so is mine" he
replied on one occasion, quite coolly and in
differently Next morning he made his ap-
pearance at the breakfast table with beard
Of twenty-four hours growth.
" You haven't shaved this morning, DEAR"
{ said Cora, to whose eyes the dirty looking
face of her husband was particularly unpleas-
, ant.
, No." he replied earelessly; /" it's a seri-
: Gus trouble to shave every day."
." But you look so much better with a
: ceanly shaved face
7 Looks are nothing--ease and comfort
= everything" said Douglass.
Cora argued, but in vain. Her husband
went off to his business with his unshaven
face.
al don't know whether to shave or not"
said Douglass the next morning, running over
his rough face, upon which was beard of
forty hours growth. His wife had has
tily thrown on wrapper and with sipshod
feet, and head like mop was lounging in
large rocking chair, awaiting the breakfast
bell.
For mercy's sake, Edward don't 90 any
longer with that shockingly dirty face" spoke
up Cora. IF you knew how dreadfully you
looked"
> Looks are nothing" replied Edward,
/ stroking his beard.
"Why, what has come over you all at
once ?"
Nothing only it is such trouble to
i shave every day"
" But you didn't shave yesterday"
Z" / know; | am Just as well off to-day,
though, as if | had So much saved at any
rate"
e On the following morning Douglass appear
ed not only with long beard, but with
1 bosom and collar that were both soiled and
o rumpled.
t "Why, Edward How you do look /"
s said Cora "You've neither shaved nor put
on clean shirt"
a. Its no matter. look well enough
: This being so very particular in dress is waste
n of time, and I'm getting tired of it,"
? Gradually the declension from neatness
S went on, until Edward was quite match for
e his wife, and yet, strange to say, Cora had
S not taken the hint, broad as it was.
: About six months after their marriage we
; invited few friends to spend social evening
e with us. Cora and her husband among the
v number Cora came alone, quite early, and
f said that her husband was very much engag-
5 ed, and could not come until after tea. My
r young friend had not taken much pains with
! her attire.
e About an hour after tea the door Of the
: parlor opened, and in walked Mr.. Douglass.
!. And what figure he did cut His uncomb-
y ed hair was standing up in stiff spikes in
i hundred different directions; his face could
Q not have felt the touch Of a razor for two or
c three days, and he was guiltless Of clean linen
e for at least the same time. His vest was
n soled his boots unbaeked, and there was an
n unmistakable hole in one of his elbows.
= "Why, Edward" !" exclaimed his wife, with
!, look Of modification ard distress, as her
e husband came across the room, with a face in
which no consciousness Of the figure he cut
could be detected
!. "Why, my dear fellow what is the mat
! ter ?" said my husband frankly
5 The matter2 Nothing's the matter,
n believe. Why do you ask 2" And Edward
o looked down at himself, felt his beard, and
S run his fingers through his hair. "What's
the matter2 Is anything wrongi'
}, You look as If you'd just walked up from
e nap of a week with your clothes on, and
: came off without washing your face or comb
, ing your hair said my husband
y "0hw Aud Edwards countenance bright
Q ened little. Then he said, with much gray-
a ity of manner, " I've been extremely hurried
of late, and hardly thought it worth while to
!, go home and dress up. | knew we were all
: friends here Besides, as my fortune is made,
land he glanced with look not to be mista-
ken towards his wife, don't feel called up
on to give as much attention to mere dress as
: formerly"
P turned towards Cora. Her face was like
$ crimson. In a few moments she rose and
went quickly from the room. followed her,
and Edward came after W pretty soon. He
: found his wife in tears, aud sobbing almost
hysterically.
. "pye got carriage at the door," he said
1 to me, aside, half laughing, half serious
so help her on with her things, and we'll re-