Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-06-03
A TALE FOR WIVES.

" Now this Is what call comfort, SAID
Mrs. Harley, as she sat down by her neigh
boris fire one evening !; here you are, at
your sewing, with the kettle steaming on the
hob, and the tea things on the table, expect
ing every minute to hear your husband s
door All if my husband was like yours,
Janet I"
He is like mine in many of his ways, y"
said Janet, with smile, land he would be
still more like him if you took more pains
to make him comfortable
What do you mean?' cried Madge.
''our house is as clean as yours mend my
husbands s clothes and cook his dinner as
carefully as any woman in the parish, yet he
never stays at home of an evening, while
you two sit here by your cheerful fire night
alter night as happy as can be.
AS happy as can be on earth, said her
friend gravely; ,'.yes-and | shall tell you
the secret of it, Madge.'
II wish you would said Madge, with
deep sigh tits misery to live as do now. .
''WeIl, them said Janet, speaking slow
ly and distinctly, L let my husband see
that | love him still, and that | learn every
day to love him more. Lore Is the chain
that binds him to his home. The world may
call it folly, but the world is not my lawgiv
er.
And do you really Think exclaimed
Madge in surprise, ''that husbands care for
that sort of thing
For love do you mean p asken Janet
eyes, they don't feel at all as we do, ia
net, and it DOM take many years OF married
life to make them think of wife as sort
of maid of all work. y
"a libel, Madge,'' said Mrs. Matson,
laughing, Il won't allow you to SIT IN Viii
liam chair and talk so.
No, because your husband Is different,
and values his wifes love, whilst John cares
for me only as his housekeeper.
s'I don't think that" said Janet, sal
though he said to my husband the other
day that courting- time was the happiest of
a man life. William reminded him thar
there is greater happiness than that on
earth, if men but give their hearts to Christ.
| know that John did alter his opinion, but
he went away still thinking of his courtng..
time as of Joy too great to be exceeded.
Dear fellow cried Madge, smiling
throug her tears. Il do believe he was hap
DIV then. / remember | used to listen for
him as I sat with my dear mother by the
fire elongng for the happiness OF seeing him.
Just so, said Janet. DO you ever feel
ike that now p
Madge hesitated. well, no, not exact
ly."
And why not ?"
"Oh, / don't know said Madge; mar
ried people give up that sort OF thing
Love. do you meanY asked Janet,
second time.
mo. but what people call being senti-
mental" replied Mrs. Harley.
Longing to see your husband is very
proper sentiment, replied Janet.
But some people are ridiculous foolish
before others. reasoned Madge.
This proves they want sense. am not
likely to approve of that, as William will
soon tell YOU; all want is that wives should
let their husbands know they are still low
ed.
But men are SO vain,'' said Madge,
that it is dangerous to show them much
attention."
Her friend looked up. "Oh Madge,
what are you saying? Have you then mar
ried with the notion that it was not good Tor
John to believe you love him
No, but it is not wise to show that you
care too much for them.
Say and him do not talk OF husbands
IN general but of yours In particular.
He thinks quite enough OF himseil al
ready assure you. -,
Dear Madge,'' said Janet, smiling,
would it do you any harm to receive llt-
tie more attention from your husband ;,
''Of course not. | wish he'd try; and
Mrs. Harley laughed at the idea.
Then yoas don't think enough of your
self already ? and nothing would make you
vain suppose?'
Madge colored and all the more when she
perceived that William Matson had come in
quietly, and was now standing behind Jan
cts chair This of course put an end to
the convoreot;on M,d1a retired tO her