Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-06-08
Theory Reduced to Practice.

me one minute II you please y
Such a soft, pleading little voice as it was,
such "a pretty, half timid-lookiug woman as
owned it, sitting there in her crimson merino
dress, with a great work-baskot over-shadow.
ing it, like the type Of some huge Jugger-
naut There was not wrinkle in her linen
collar, not a speck on her white brilliant
apron, while every golden thread in her hair
lay smooth and shining as if it were glisten-
ing satin instead of human tresses.
Mr. Nerdon laid down his book with osten-
tatious despair
What do you want now, Catherine 1t
is a little singular that a man can't get five
consc iutive minutes reading in this house,
isn't it ? No sooner do these noisy children
get off to bed than dozen of other disturb
ances start up to distract ones brain :"
am sorry to disturb you, Alec said
the much enduring wife, " but | only want to
know whether you would prefer your new
shirts made with buttons or studs ?"
Studs and buttons !" groaned Mr. Ver-
don, rather fundamentally. Upon my
word, Catherine, it seems as if your mind
revolved on nothing more important than a
round Of the pettiest household concerns. As
if cared how you make my shirts !"
But you were very much displeased dear,
when | made the collars to your last set af-
ter an old-fashioned pattern"
"Of course was A man don't want to
60 about looking like Methusaleh !"
No dear, but"
Btt my dear Catherine, am decidedly
annoyed to see you sinking into a mere do
nestle drudge"
don't understand you, Alec Surely a
wife and mother should make it her first
aim to study the comfort Of her husband and
family"
"To certain extent Mrs Verdon--to a
certain extent, this may be quite true. But
when Mr.. Peterson asked your opinion Of
rs last work, the other evening, you
astonished everybody by confessing that you
had not read it. was ashamed, Catherine
nfounded-indignant.
But, Alec, what time do | get to read 2'
"Time time you must make time child
Let domestic cares be secondary to the cult
vation Of your intellectual nature. Why,
cannot describe to you, my dear, how deeply
mortified | was Mt Mrs Lessons conversation
when every one was discussing the new liter.
AIRY consultations, by your confused silence
While Mrs. Ogiyie-why, she was positively
sparkling in her ready argument and charm
ing critical taste
Yes, retorted Catherine Verdon, stunl
at last into something like retaliation, ant
!, Mr. Oglivie was there with a ragged shirt
bosom, and the lower button gone from hi
dress coat"
"As | remarked before, my dear, button
and shirts are not primary consideration"
&" And" went GU Catherine, " the dress
maker says that Mrs. Oglivie has no NOR,
idea of housekeeping than kitten. Sue
coffee, she says -"
All drcssmaker's tattlel" nterrupte,
g Mr.. Verdon, with lofty flourish of his lei
t arm shouldn't care what sort Of coffe
d | drank, if had wife like Laura Oglivic
: Catherine flushed to her very forehead, bu
' she bit her lip in resolute self-control,
= want very much to please you, Alec,
f she said meekly. "Will you toll me how t
5 be intellectual" 4"
e Mr. Alexander Verdon pulled his moustach
in rather a puzzled manner.
Q Why-why, my dear, you must read a
the new works, to begin wth-and keep u
= the general newspaper current--and take
$ critical survey Of paintings and statues, and
It and all that sort of thing, you know"
c Yes, but, Alec"
It Now, Cathie, really wish you would Ii
me read little in peace lget so little tim
# to cultivate my mind ~
= Mrs. Verdon sighed softly to herself as sf
e cut the fairy button-holes down the front
: Mr.. Alexander's new shirt.
It l say, Cathie !"
c Mr.. Verdon rushed unanimously into ii
If room where Cathie was sitting, in the mid
n Of pile of books, deep in some late publci
d ton, with his matutinal toilet but half con
d pleted, and q pair Of suspenders floating will,
1t ly in the air, like the rens of runawa
70 horse.
,e well, Alexander 2"
lr "Where are my new shirts 2n
is "They aren't finished dear :"
" Not finished, Mrs. Verdon2"
" No. | wish you wouldn't interrupt III
Alec. What's the use of womans tryiI
g to be intellectual, when you are running
10 and out, with perpetual questions about sha
D, ing soap, and stockings and shirts MADAM
i shirts, | am sure"
'n " But what's fellow to dot"
Sc All ah what indeed2 2" unused Cath
Cd in voice so plainly indicative that her mi
rs was far away in some metaphysical regic
o. that Alexander gathers up his suspenders a
I'll retreated in dumb despair
rs Holes in my stockings big enough
iy jump through, and the cologne-bottle not
ne plenished. What work !" groaned Mr.. VI
e. don. And I've cut my nose shaving, a
IN no Cathie here to put on sticking past'
nc But | really do think it would be nj
y thing to have my wife appear like Laura Og
ih vie. wonder what Ogliyie does when
&c cuts his nose -
y. Mr.. Verdon finished his toilet and We
cd down town, with this subject of marvel }
he undecided in his mind.
IN The city bells were changing One on Z
r. same day when Mr.. Verdon ran hurriedly
he his door steps, and entered his own donnie
by the subtle aid Of convenient little aigl
key
to Catherine Wife Cathiew
on But no white aproned household fairy u
al him on the stairs, with gold brown Gu
Or, tucked neatly back of her ears, and brig
ed eyes sparkling welcome.
of She must be down in the Kitchen" v
ap his thought, as he ran down three steps a
wo time, and presented himself before the sm
of damsel of twelve who was the only domes
no that economical Catherine VerdoD kept.
he Where's your mistress, Polly ?"
of Sure, sir, she's gono to see picture 6
lp- lery, she told me, down townW
at And when is she coming back 7"
pc manded Mr., Verdon, biting his lips with
yo- ward vexation
l "she said she mightn't be back befi
ico night"
Of " "Where are the children2"
ne. "Gone to their grandmama's, in Yorkvi
D | sir"
alf "And what am | to do for dinner2"
I'M. "Sure, sir, I.don't know"
u "Here's pretty fix !" grumbled Mr.. V
don to himself, as he stamped desparin