The Portland daily press., 1868-08-01
Miscellany.
THE WIFE'S VICTORY.

THE WIFE'S VICTORY.
The feryid June sunshine was beating re-
lentlessly down on the sloping roof above the
low-ceied room where Jessie Rayburn sat
with weary fingers and aching head, watching
the sparkle OF the sand in the shadeless stretch
of ground called, by courtesy, "lawn" and
thinking to herself that these cramped accom-
modations in "the country were but poor
substitute for her roomy city house, when 'ile
nurse entered the room.
Jessie and her children had been oal,siiea
to this dreary solitude by her huspahu; nalpn
Rayburn, on the plea of economy ne was
always preaching economy 10 MS wife, but
never practiced it himself. Jessle's best
friend, Mrs. Kate Venner, knew Ralph Ray
burns selfshness well, and had tried to make
Jessie understand it, especially when he
growled about her asking tor a Sl0O lace shawl
which Kate had recommended to her; but
Jessie never could see it.
PLEASE, ma'am, telegraphic Dispatch
twenty-five cents to pay. The boy has
brought it from Portersville."
Jessie hurriedly placed the money in the
woman's hand, and opened the missive. 1t
was from Mrs. Venner.
If you will take the noon train to the city, and go
at once to your house, you will find the cew to my
enigmai attf KATE"
Jessie hesitated moment-the telegram
was so vague, and the notice so short, that
she was almost inclined to treat the whole
matter as one of Kate's freaks. But woman's
curiosity prevailed-and when the train steam
ed into New York that evening Jessie Ray
burn, in traveling-dres of cheap gray mate
rial, and blue veil drawn over her face, was
one of the tired and dusty passengers.
1t was quite dark-in fact, the bells had
s. lust climpd niua-and Iascia tOta llv
accustomed to traversing the streets OF the
great metropolis so late, and by herself New
ertheless, in spite of the little thrills OF terror
that ran through her veins, every tima
chance passenger brushed by her, she reached
her own door in safety.
10 her surprise the house was brilliantly
lighted, and the parlors populated by dozen
or 50 OF gentleman, whose fragrant cigars
hlled the summer evening air with spicy
souvenirs of Havana and Cuban groves
Dear me, ma'am," calculated Ellen, as her
mistress glided quietly upstairs, "who would
have thought of seeing you? The masters
got party, ma'amr' ~ s lH2
IA party, Ellen ?" fGH
.1 "Yes'm-theres French gentleman down
stairs in white apron, and lots of champagne
I and hot-hOuSe strawberries, and"
"Yes,-that will do, Ellen. Don't mention
to anyone that have arrved-it might dis
turb your master"
g one went INTO her own room. Upon the
dressing bureau, just beneath the flaming yell
low gas-light, lay slip of pa per-a receipted
tailor's bill for summer suit-only seventy
five dollars
Jessie calmly read over the few lines, and
put the bill in her pocket. 4
ylF NAV find occasion to refer to it," she said
to herself
A nalt- emptied box of cigars stood on the
table-odorous ..Colorados," whose cost she
mad often heard her husband mention as a
proof of the rise in prices generally. ST
x. "Cigarsp pondered Jessie. Il wonder if
It is economy to smoke cigars at fifteen dol
lars box!" - i
She descended into the dning-room noise
less and selt-possessed. An agile waiter was
decorating the elegantly spread board, with
brilliant bouquets ofroses and heliotrope, while
superb epergne that occupied the centre of
the table was all in sparkle with cut-glass
and flowers. Nodelicacy was spared-from tt e
steaming bottles of champagne to the fragrant
strawberries hali-buried under white and
crimson roses, and the pyramids of colored
cream. The waiter stepped forward as she
entered.
what can do for madame?Y E
Il wish to know the probable expense of
this entertainment" said Jessie. firmly. GI
am Mrs. Rayburn."
- The man bowed profoundly.
seven dollars a head, madame-the cham
payne, OF course, is extra-a dozen bottles at
eight dollars"
And how many guests were inviteda'
Twelve, madamep'
"And attendance?o
Attendance, madame, is Included"
Jessie Rayburn withdrew, a curious smile
upon her lips.
Let us see," she pondered, as she once
more went upstairs, taking refuge in the de-
serted nursery. champagne, ninety-six dol
lars supper, ninety-one; total, one hundred
ana elghtyseven. think begin to see the
cleW to kato Venner's enigma"
The little mantel clock had chmed eleven.
the next morning, ere Mr.. Rayburn saunter-
eo sleeplly down into the dining-room The
yawn that had partly escaped his lips chang
ca suddenly into an exclamation of undis-
gulsed surprise as he saw Jessie sitting at
work by the window.
"Jessie! Wife! How came YOU here ?p he
CALCULATED, looking guiltily round at the debris
OF broken bottles, faded flowers and half
smoked cigars.
II came to select that lace shawl, dear,n
said Mrs. Rayburn, composedly.
But" Mr.. hayburn's face had flushed
scarlet Rea - -,
Listen to me, Ralph. have been anus
ing myself. by making a partial estimate of
. your expenses during the past week-'a wo-
mans idea of economy being really so ue,y
crude"
Ralph WINGED visbly.
-" That have taken some pains to ascer-
= tain mans idea." s F
"Jessie," interrupted Ralph, hurriedly, "it's
very fine morning, and Of course you don't
want to be too long away from the children
suppose we go down town and buy that
lace shawl, and-and any other things you
may requirew f =.
= Mrs. Rayburn was consummately skiIlful
little tactician. Instead of exulting in the
victory she had smanifestly achieved, she
quietly tied on her bonnet, Slipped her arm
through that of her lord and went smilingly
down Broadway.
From that moment, Ralph Rayburns do
mestic harangues were heard no more.