The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1870-07-05
Theory Reduced To Practice.
A TRUE STORY.

ttuu W ilc uut iiluutc, u lOu pituSc.
Such soft, pleading, little voice as
was, such pretty, half tmid-looking wo
man as owned it, sitting there in her Grim
son merino dress, with Il great work-bas
ket over-shadowing it, like the type o
some huge Juggernaut. There was no
a wrinkle in her linen collar, nor a specl
on her white brilliant apron, while ever,
golden thread in her hair lay smooth an,
shining as if it were glistcning satin in
stead of human tresscs.
Mr.. Verdon laid down his book will
ostentatious despair.
What do you want now. Catherine
1t is little singular that man cant gc
five consecutive minutes reading in thi
house, isn't it? No sooner do these nos,
children get off to bed than dozen 0
other disturbances start up 10 distrac
ones brain !"
al am sorry TO disturb, Alec" sal,
the much enduring wife " but / onl,
want to know whether you would prefe
your new shirts made with buttons o
studs ?'
Studs and buttons ~ groaned Mr.
Ncrdon, rather melo-dramatically. "Up
on my word, Catherine, it seems as if YOU
mind revolved on nothing more impor
tant than round of the pettiest house
hold concerns. As if ! cared how you
make my shirts ~
" But you were very much displcased
dear, when | made the collars to youi
last set after an old-iashioned pattern"
"Of course | was! A man don't wan
to go about looking like Mcthusaleh -
&" No dear, but"
" But, my dear Catherine, | am decid
edly annoyed to see you sinking into .
mere domestic drudge
" don't understand you, Alec. Surely
wife and mother should make it hel
first aim to study the comfort of her huS
band and family"
TO certain extent, Mrs. Ncrdon--
to a certain extent, this may be quit,
true. But when Mr.. Peterson asked
your opinion of IS last work, the
other evening, you astonished everybody
by coniessing that you mad not read it.
was ashamed, Catherine confoundcd-
Indignant
" But, Alec, what time do | get tC
read?
Time time you must make time
child Let domestic cares be secondary
to the cultivation Of your intellectual ma
ture. Why, | cannot describe to you
my dear, how deeply mortified | was a
Mrs. Lessons conversation, when every
one was discussing the new literary con
stcllation, by your confused silence
While Mrs. Oglivie-why, she was posi-
lively sparkling in her ready argumen
and charming critical taste
"Yes,' retorted Catherine Nerlon
stung at last into something like retalia
tion, land Mr. Oglivie was there with
ragged shirt-b bosom, and tn" lower buttol
gone from his dress coat
"As | remarked before, my dear, but
tons and shirt1 are not primary consd
Grafton"
And" went on Catherine, "the dress
maker says that Mrs. Ogivic has no NOR
idea of housekeeping than kitten. Suc|
coffee, she says
All dressmaker's tattlc :" interrupt
ted Mr.. Ncrdon, with a lofty flourish o
his left arm. " shouldn't care wha
sort of coffee drank if had wife lik
Laura Oglivic ~
Catherine flushed to her very forehead
but she bit her lip in resolutc seli-control
Il want very much to please you
Alec,' she said very meekly. "Wil yo
tell me how to be intellectual"
Mr.. Alexander Verdon pulled his nous
tache in rather puzzled manner.
Why-phy, my dear, you must rea
all the new works, to begin with-an
keep up the general newspaper current
and take a critical survey fpaintings an
and statues, and and all that sort n
thing, you know"
Yes, but, Alec"
Now, Cathie, really wish yo
would let me read little in peace.
get so little time to cultivate my mind"
Mrs. Ncrdon sighed softly to herse
as she cut the fairy button-holcs dow
the front of Mr.. Nerdon's new shirt.
: " say, Cathie ~
b Mr.. Nerdon rushed tumultuously int
the room where Cathie was sitting, in tn
midst Of a pile of books, deep in som
e late publication, with his matutinal toile
= ! but half completed. and pair of susper
, ders floating wildly in the air, like tn
g reins of runaway horse.
We'll. Alexander ?"
Where are my new shirts ,"
They aren't finished dear !"
" Not finished, Mrs. Vcrdon ?"
No. | wish you wouldn't interrul
j.. me, Alec. What's the use of woman
trying to be intellectual, when you al
e running in and out, with perpetual que
a tions about shaving soap, and stockin.
and shirts Madame de Stael never ha
her mind disturbed about shirts, | a
sure"
But whats fellow to do ?'
All, ah = what indeed p mus,
Cathie in voice so plainly indictive tn
= her mind was far away in some metaph
steal region, that Alexander gathers l
his suspenders and retrcated in dun
despair.
Holes in my stockings big enough
jump through, and the cologne-bottle n
!. replenished. What work !" groan,
l. Mr.. Nerdon. And I've cut my no
y shaving, and no Cathie here to put
a sticking plaster. But | really do thin
p it would be a nice thing to have my wi
y appear like Laura Oglivie. wond
what Oglivie does when he cuts his nose
Of Of Mr.. Verdon finished his toilet and we
down town, with this subject of mary
rs yet undecided in his mind.
pp The city bells were Changing One
he the same day when Mr.. Nerdon ran hr
n riedly up his door steps and entered
A. A. own domicile by the subtle aid of a GO