Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1868-04-24

"A
dred years hence who will know whethe
l looked well or Ill on this particula
morning9" t4p
As this is one of my fayorite sayings,
looked hard at her, to see whether sh'
was quizzlng me; but she met my gaz'
with an honest indifference Of expression
The charm was working .,.,,.. ......
At dinner / was somewhat Disconnected
to find her still in the wrapper and with
her hair rough, as I have always been Sc
cretly proud of my wife's trim appear
ance. She explained "that she hsd beer
too busy to make toilet, which, after all
was 10 use to nybody;" but she was SC
displeasing to my eyes that l began tt
waver. Should listen to the great mora
principle that woman should not be
fond of dress, or to my own personal weak
ness? and I can really hardly tell bow
should have decided if had not thought
to ask myself what one of the ancient Ro
mans flor whom have always had vast
admiration) would do in my position
And of course, what could he do, if be de-
sired to make parag raph in history, ex'
cept what I did?-apply the "characta
gent" second time. ss' = ~
The following day was Sunday. Not
having spring clothes, my wife had de.
cided not to attend church but she now
appeared in velvet bonnet, winter cloak,
and huge hoop, having most unfortunate.
ly broken one OF more modern shape.
AS long as my clothes are WHOLE" she
said, emphatically, "what difference need
1t make if other women are wearing light
colors, and thin stuffsg There is no law
commanding me to do likewise oe sael
OF course, had nothing to say to this.
Here was the common sense displayed in
wearing what she had, to which had SO
often exhorted her. The charactagent "
was working wonders Still, the weather
was June weather. Mrs. Lumpkin pulled
and perspired. People looked curiously
at her and me, and l thought as much as
possible about the ancient Romans. y - =
That night 1 examined my list; found
Glove Of gossip" next in order, and ap-
piled the "charactagent" accordingly.
That day, unfortunately, Uncle Paget
came to town, and lunched, as is his Gus
tom, with my wife. Like every other
family of any note, we have fine family
quarrel, involving Uncle Paget and con-
siderable sum of money. Therefore after
these visits of my uncle my wife has always
had on hand very pretty stock OF che
saids" and "they saids," including the
incredible things Hannah and Mrs. David
son had done last, in all of which confess
l am considerably interested &c. hearing
that Uncle Paget had been there, waited
for the news. MY wife sat mum; and
when / asked for the news from home,
"They are all well, 1 Believe" she answered
indiferently, and began to talk OF Goals.
T r, my
when Uncle Paget came last Hannah had
screamed after him, "You will repent it
in two weeks time" and had now ex-
pected to hear whether he had repented,
and why, in "two weeks time" as
have always pished and pshawed at Cos
sip, l was ashamed to ask directly, and
waited, supposing that she could not long
keep the tidines to herself. But the
" charactagent" had taken care of that.
And not only was disappointed in this
Paget business, but all those little r'lls OF
gossip that used to freshen our conversa-
ton, as what Che grocer said about the
lady who lived two doors on the left, and
how Mr.. Symonds took his failure, were
cut off which was the more provoking,
as in spite of the scorn with which every
sensible person must regard such informa.
ton, / not unfrequently caught 8 hint
which worked up very we'll In Lumpkin
paper. s.l1 = 80
The next want on my list was want Of
logic. AS | have said, my wife continual.
ly exasperated me by this failing. Did
observe that the Reverend Grearing gave
us well-written sermon?
&c don't think So" cried my wife. HE
is bad man for all his gown"
Uary r1opcihlv NM 6acr. h,,i hn RI N, or,
may write we'll"
"Now, Mr.. Lumpkiu, how can you say
so, when any one can see how i'll he treats
his wifes The poor thing starts.if he only
looks her way" q. -sa.-a-- 49,
And nothing could move Mrs Lumpkin.
Or, she expostulated with me because !
would walk before breakfast and when l
insisted that was the better for it
"Oh yes! go poor Charlie Gray always
said; and yet" she would add with an air
of triumph, he died when he was only
twenty-five" a AT F}#l HOB q ri ~
And it made no sort Of difference to Mrs
Lumpkin that he died because he was ac
cidentally shot. 4 s- 81 ? s-A-A@A
Can you blame me, then, for trying my
next experiment on those unlucky bumps
Of prejudice, impulse, etc, that so disturb
ed the balance of her mind?
" My dear, what are you reading?" in
quired Mrs. Lumpkin, the next morning,
as turned over the leaves of thin
pamphlet between the sips of my coffee.
= "The prospectus of the Washoff Mining
Company" pm IA ryey,.~rrs..
q Now, in the old times, that is before the
days of the Charactagent," Mrs Lump.
kin would have pouted, which she does
very prettily, and then she would have
laughed, which she is fond of doing, be.
cause she has dimples, and then she would
have cried petulantly, "The tiresome
thing!' meaning the pamphlet, and pres
emily would find the "tiresome thing I
snatched from my hand and waved aloft in
triumph. She has done it hundred times
But now she simply said Sab p in judi
.cial tone, as if she were waiting for the
rest of the evidence.
3" Nash gave it to me" explained, some
what uneasily. "He says the mine is 6
good thing
",And wants you to take his share p
queried my wife, sharply.
"Why-yesl that is"
why not keep it HIMSELF"
-" His business leaves him no time TO at
tend to it."
On then, or course, Mr.. Nash mus
find his regular business more profitable
than the silver mine"
81 don't see that"
| do, very clearly, Mr.. Lumpkin. Mr.
Nash is business man. Business mer
stick to what will b. ng the most money
Mr.. Nash sticks to ordinary, trade.
would advise you to doIthe same"
But, my dear, you do not understand
these matters"
"I understand this much" answered my