The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-06-23


he knew wonld plense his wife, and in
sri c'ively he timed as though he would
read il aloud hut there was no wife to hear
it. At halfpaSt eight he rose from hi
chair and hogan to pace the A ,or AID
: whistle. lh he col his flute, and playe,i
sew raj of his favorte airs. After this h.
} ue' chess board and played game with
an imaginary partner. Then he walked
the hpor ana wh-tled again. Finally. tn.
clock struck nine and his wife returned.
"W"f. Georee." said she, II am hack in
good time. How have you enjoyed your
self"
4 "Capitally," returned the husband 81
4 had no idea it was late. hope you have
; enjoyed Yourself"
: e"Oh. splrndidly, said his WIFE, ri had
no idea CIV much enjoyment the was
away from home. Home is q dull place.
after nll--i-n't it,"
''Why--no--I can't say that it is re
{ fnrpef, George earelessiy. "In fact he
tadied, 81 rat her like H."
Elm, giud Of that" reforad Emma, 'for
we shall BOTH enjoy ourselves now. Yon
4 shall have nice, comfortable week of
George WINGED at this, bit he Kept his
co,Intenane6 and determined to Stand il
Il ont.
.Qn the next evening Emma prepared to
60 away again.
II shall be back in good time" she said.
Where are you going r. her husband
"oh. can't tell exactly. Il may 20 to
several pl ices
! Sp George Wilson was left along again,
and he tried to aihnse himself as bafore !;
bnt he found it a difficult task Ever and
/ anon he world cast his eyes npon the
lempty chair, and tile Thought would core
"HOw. pleasant 1T wonfd be if she were
here {" The clock finr1fy struck nine and
lie began to listen for the step of his wife
Half an honr more slipped by. and he le-
came very neTvons and uneasy.
II declare" he muttered to himself, after
he had listened for SOME fine in vain,
"this is too bad. She onhgt not to stay ont
so late !" Bit he happened to remember
that he often remained away much later
than that so he concluded that lie must
make the best of il
At quarter to ten Emma came home.
"A little late. am not 2" she said, look
ing mp at fine clock, But fell in with
, yourself e.
First rate" returned Geyrge, bravely.
Il think home is a capital place..
!, Especially when a man can have it all
, to himself added the wife, with la lside-
long glance at lfst husband; But he made
no reply. -
! On the next evening Emma prepared to
60 ont as before; but this time the kissed
her husband ere she went. and scented to
; hesitate.
Where do yon drink OF going e. George
asked. in an nndertOne.
II may drop in to see Uncle john" re-
piled Emma. However, you won't be
uneasy. You'll know I'm safe.'
''Oh. certainly" said her hnsiand; but
whei,sleft to his own reflections he began
tn ponder seriously upon the subject thus
presented for consideration. He conld not
read, he could not play nor enjoy himself
: in any way, while that Chair was empty.
: In short, he found that home had no real
comfort without his wife. "The only thing
needed to make his home cheerful was NOT
, present.
= II declare" he said to himself, II did not
think it would SO lonesome And can it
be that she feels as do, hen she is here
> all alnneq 1t must he So" he pursued
th"ngltfully; lit is Just As SHE ssys. Be-
fore we were married, she was very happy
: in her childhood's. home. Her parents
loved her, and her brothers and sisters
loved her, and they. did all they could to
make her cOmfortahle"
3 room several tunes. and then stopped again
and ,commnhed with himself.
II can't stand this" said be. II should
die 10 a week. If Emma wefe only here
think Il could an,use myself very well
!. How lonesome and dreafy it is! And Only
| eight O'clock! / tsaclare-rye a, mind to
. walk down as fir as Uncle Johns ma see
if she is there 1t would be d relief if
2 fonly saw her. won't go in. She shan't
know YET chat hold out SO family,
. George Wilson took another tufn across
e the room, glanced once more at the clock
aud then took his hat and went ont. He
!, locked the door after him aud then bent
:, his steps towords Uncle Johns 1t was
: beautiful moonlight night, and the air wa,
keen and braclng. He was walking along
with his eyes Bent. npon fhe pavement
J when Ire heard light step approaching
J him. He hooked Up, and-could NOT IL
t mistaken--saw his wife, His first i'm
r pulse. was to avoid her, but she had recog
nizef Him.
!. George" she said in surprise, SIS thii
! your"
: ..'It is" was the response.
!, end you do not pass your evenings a
!, home2"
':This is the first time + have been ont
y Emma. npon my wtTd and even now
= have not been absent from the house te,
IuluuNCS. uIcICly Ciiine OuJ O Jake IfeSl
air. But where are You going r.
o Il an, going home, George. viii you g
with ME ?"
. Certainly" returned the husband. Sb
- took his arm, and they walked home il
silence. -
1 When Emma had taken off her things
she sat down in her chair and looked a
the clock.
Is lyon have come home early tonight,
remarked Genrge. =,
ID The young wife looked up into her I'm,
q bands face, and. withlan expression, hal
fe smiling and half fearful. she answered, I.
d will confess the truth, George; + hav
- given up the experiment. T managed {
l., stand 1t last evening, but could, not bea
y it through tonight. When l Thought ,
- yon here all alone, wanted, to be wit
", yon, 1t didn't seem right haven't e,
9 joyed myself at ALL I have no home BIZ
re this
e Say you So I" cried George. moving h
ID chair t" his wifes side, and taking one
is her hands. "Then let me make nv &C.
d fession. have stood it not a whit bette
I'd When left the honse this evening, con-
e bear it no longer. l found that this W,
he no home for me. while my sweet wife W.
~ absent. thought would walk down I
/. Uncle Johns and see yonr face, if possibl
80 had gazed upon our empty chairs till n
heart ached" He kissed her as he spol,
H. and then added, while she reclined b