Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-11-23

morning. She says they are going to the
White Mountains next week. Why cannot
you take me of for little journey? |
should ike the change; | think itwould do
me good I"
Take you journey, after the compli-
mentary things you have said TO me this
morning. shall be very likely to do so.
/ A pleasant trip | should have -
That will do for an excuse; you never
do take me anywhere There's the Dat
ton have been away every summer; and
Mrs. Dutton says her husband would not
think of herat home all summer. She was
surprised when | told her that | had never
been away from home week at time
since [ was married.
Very likely tone of irony, and
Mr. Jaynes lett the ROOM
Now Ellen Jaynes was not disappointed
in the least at the result of her application.
In fact she did not expect her husband to
grant her request, and IT is doubtful wheth
er she would have gone had he given his
consent, for she well knew their means
would not allow such expensive dulgences,
and Ellen was a prudent, economical wife.
but she wanted to show her husband what
other men did for their wives, and what he
did not do.
Ellen Jaynes was woman Of good prin-
ciples and good feelings, though she had
an irrita lie, nervous temperament. In the
good old times, such were called ''cross:''
now. it is genteeily nervous. Well, Ell
len Jaynes was very nervous she had also
a great regard for trifeS, and very httle
power to adapt herself 10 circumstances.
She had, too, vivid Imagination, and hav-
ing hut limited opportunity for studying
her husbands 5 character before marriage,
she had invested him with all possible ez
ceilence; thought she had found a man to
reverence, lean upon, look up 10 in all
things. Of course she was bitterly djsap-
pointed.
Charles .Iayno5 was a man Of good natu-
raj abilities, aud could render himself very
entertaining anI agreeable when he chose;
bat lie had few Of those domestic qualities
which make up the model husband. lie
was not tidyiu MS habits, was often thought
less and lnconsiderate, AID rather Sehshly
fond Of his own case. Such a character
was the very antipodes of Ellen, who was
possessed OF much energy OF character, and
very Industrious withal. As | have said,
she was bitterly disappointed; and, though
she loved Charles, lamenlcd her mistake
in rforr,ir,,y hin, a r,anv- sa.r,F +a.r,
She would, probably, have been quite as
miserable with any other husband, unless
she had governed her own temper; as it
was she endeavored 10 perform the duties
devolving upon her faithfully; yet she was
often troubled by Il e deiinquencics OF Ler
husband They irritated her; she would
fnd fault and complain, which DID not ;uI
prove matters. Such a course never does.
So the years rolled on, and things grew
worse and worse. The husband 5 love grew
cold, and he became more aud more mat
ten'ive, while the cares of the wife kept
increasing, and il Ike ratio, her fretting
and fault finding. A deplorable state of
things most assuredty; yet is it very uncom-
mon2
After the conversation we have recorded,
Ellen had so far freed her mind that there
came a reaction, and we find her now IN her
own room repeatant aud sOrrowfui.
Il am sorry | was quite 50 cross. ] said
some things I wish [ could take back but
Charles does try me so. lie is not what |
expected but that can't be helped now he
is my husband, and might as well make
the best of it. am so miserable, SO un
happy, and it grows worse and worse
What life we are leading Itis all wrong
wrong. We are te live together ill death;
it were wiser to make the best of my lot
After all, things might be worse, Charles
is temperate, aud honest and virtuous but
who knows how long he will be, if we go
on in this miserable fashion? | will begin
to reform; God-helping my efforts, | will
subdue my unhappy temper Fretting at
Charles only makes him worse. | will try
what patience and cheerful endurance will
accomplish - And so Ellen Jaynes formed
her first firm aud good resolution, and what
was better still, she began at once TO fulfil
it. Very many good resolutions ares made
very few are kept; but this was kept.
At thc tea table Ellen made her appear
ance becomingly dressed (She was comely
woman. and with cheerful face; but Mr..
Janyes' brow was clouded and he was not
to be draw into conversation. 1t required
quite an effort to look and speak pleasantly
in the morning, for the husband still re
manned moody and silent; but she remem-
bered her good resolution, and she kept it.
In the forenoon he came into the sitting
room on an errand, again with dirty boots;
but this time Ellen did not seem to notice
them, - | declare | am hungry said he.
careIessly, throwing himself into a chair in
lounginp attitude, which was the special
detestation of his wife
And wet. too, perceive, said his wife
kindly and. rising she went quietly from
the room and returned, bearing a plate with
a tempting lunch in one hand, and brush
in the other. Tie former she placed in her
husband hand with the latter she brush
ed the drops Of rain from his neck and
l.