Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-02-23
A wIFE,s MISTAKE.
by MRS. JULIA A. CARNEY.

OF matrimonial life. One hand was laid ca
ressiney upon the smoothly braided hair of
his wife, while the other payfully attempted
TO take from her the condemned work-basket.
IL looked as if it deserved the epithet ever
lasting, for it was filed with a variety of
tasks which it would have puzzled most men
to. even name, far more to classify or define.
Mary hestated for a moment. She was
evidently tempted to accept the invitation.
She had been busted with her housekeeping
tasks all day, sweeping, busting, cooking, ar
ranging and clearing the tables, all these
which seem 80 little in themselves, yet which
make up so wearisome an aggregate. She
was young housekeeper, too, aud had not
yet learned what tasks must be performed to.
day, and what may be properly left for the
rested and refreshed tomorrow what must be
carefully and thoroughly performed, and what
may be more slightly passed over. Early
LETT an orphan with young sister dependent
upon her efforts for support and counsel she
was the very opposite Of her careless and
mirth-loving husband. Only two years his
Junior, one would almost have supposed her
older than he, so much more mature we're her
plans, so much more prudent her counsels.
She had worked harder than was at all
needful that day, and, indeed, the same
might be said Of nearly every day Of her
welded life So much must be done of which
no one but pattern housewife would see any
necessity. Even in her sewing, so many ruff
ties must be hemmed, so many bands must be
stitched at, until at last it seemed as if the
blessed invention of sewing machine had but
added to her labors instead Of relieving them.
She needed now the relaxation to which
her husband had invited her, she needed it
for her mind as well as for her body. Her
own high aspirations were gradually but sure
ly conforming themselves to the wearisome
daily routine, and unconscously to herself
she was now asking little more of life than
time to finish one task and begin another.
She hesitated, almost said yes, when her eye
returned to that work rk-basket-shc must finish
that garment-it was positively necessary, it
would be giving up duty for pleasure. That
thought stabbed her heart. She would never
do that-she must always walk in the path Of
duty, though with weary steps. The dear,
dutifu little woman forgot that it is some
times wife's duty to consult her husbands
wishes.
Harry turned away disappointed and al
most cross while Mary stitched away some-
what nervously, for she knew that her hus-
band was vexed with her.
Presently he exclaimed We'll, Mary, if
we cannot 90 to the concert do let us have
a little music at home. 1t is long time
since you have opened the piano"
Reluctantly laying aside the work in which
she had by this time become so deeply en-
gagged as almost to forget her husbands pres
ence, Mary went to the instrument. Per.
forming few tunes, with listless, abstract.
ed air, she hurried back to her sewing, as If
to make up for lost time.
Harry moodily paced the carpet for a few
minutes, and then put on his overcoat to 60
out.
"Why, Harry" exclaimed Mary in sur
prise you are not going out at 50 late an
hour, surelyw
81 do not see any use of my staying here.
| cannot sew !" rejoined Harry with a bitter
irony in his tone as he closed the door.
Mary was not unloying, she had imagined
1t her duty to be very industrious and eco
nomical, as they were Just beginning in life
with only clerks salary. The tickets to
the concert would have been useless expense.
she reasoned, and then there was her even
ing's work at home.
A long evenings work It was, too, for the
" wee sma' hours" stole on and yet her hus-
band came not. She remembered now with
perfect dlstinctness that on one or two occa- !
sions when she had refused to 90 out with
him, or been particularly dull or sober at
home, he had gone out as if vexed, and re-
turned late She remembered, also, and it |
now seemed strange that she had not thought
of it before, that he had returned seeming
unusually merry, and with all traces of his |
yexation gone.
AT length her husband came. Alas, suspi-
clon was now reality
Half reeling, half dancing into the room,
he executed a series of fantastic bows before
his dismayed wife, whom he addressed with
mock courtesy:
" Good evening Oh good evening, Mrs
Industrious | really was in hopes you had
done with that work-basket, and would be |
ready to play me tune when | came home.
Come let me help you; I'll sing if you'll
play. Come
81 won't go homo TIL morning "
And thus he ratified on over perfect med.
ley of bachanalian songs and choruses, until
literally out Of breath, he closed with Cap
tain Jinks, of the Horse Marines" Then
Mary arose and quietly lighting his night
lamp, assisted him to his room and to his
couch, where his wild noise having now given
place to an apathetic stupor, he was soon in a
heavy sleep.
Mary returned to the stting-room and re-
sumed her sewing. 1t seemed as if every
pulsation Of her heart was stilled all hope
all light all joy had gone out of her life, yet
still the needle came and went. Perhaps the
Father only knows, it was all that saved her
reason in that night of despair. 1t came and
went steadily, and the garment with its beau
tiiul embroidery lies now amid the wardrobes
of petted child, who can never know the tale
of suffering wrought into its graceful leaves.
1t was nearly dawn before the work was
laid aside, before the overstrained nerves gave
way, and Mary laid her sad burden at the
feet of JESUS
No word of reproach met the ashamed and
penitent husband at his awakening. 1t was
the first time Harry Lee had ever drank to
such an excess, and from that hour he alb
jured the fatal cup. He had been too easily
led away by his fondness for amusement and
mirthful company, and Mary had learned too
late the lesson, that there are other econo-
mics besides those Of domestic life.
A group of happy children have now come
to make home cheerful but Mary has done
with rufiies and embroidery, or rather has
learned to give them their true place, and has
time to help make music in those once silent
rooms They have both learned wisdom from
their First Mistake"
"A newly-married lady in Chicago COM
planned to her ma that on hei reception day
her card basket was overrun with circulars
from lawyers, announcing terms for divorce.
So absurd, you know Ma, before our honey
moon is over" "True, dear" replied Ma,
(who has been twice divorced) but I'd put