Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1871-10-26

"Or course not. should first have to
think you were willing to deceive me, and
that | know you are not"
Mrs. Perkins had no opportunity to com
ment on this revelation Of mutual conf
dence and consideration, for dinner was
served at this moment. think she was
puzzled at this time for reply ; perhaps
she was also confused at hearing herself
thus rebuked out of her friends mouth. So
During the meal, which Nellie, by little
effort, made so pleasant, Peter enjoyed
himself more than usual, and laughed
heartily and repeatedly at her little say
ings and doings. He is very proud as well
as fond of his wife and though often when
only she and / are present he relapscs into
thoughtful silence, and is quite absent
minded, he is always attentive and inter
estcd when company is present, and takes
great care to draw her out and show her
off.
And she Is a woman who shows to adj
vantage, not only in person, but manners
and conversation and on this evening, by
a little effort, had my eyes and ears open,
and / iancied / detected an effort on her
part to be rs entertaining as possible, not
only to Mrs. Perkins, but to her husband.
And wonderfully she succeeded, too
She talked little domestic matters -noth-
ing high.hown and distant and grandilo-
quent, but the little bits of domestic and
social gossip in which all men are inter-
ested, and to listen to which is often a
positive relief after day of dollars and
cents, or dIy-goods and groceries. And in
listening and replying to her and her
friends remarks, with an occasional word
from myself the dinner hour passed rapid
ly away, an hour after that sped quickly
by, and Peters wife suggested to him that
it was time to dress for the club.
"Now, Nellie M'Lean !" exclaimed Mrs.
Perkins, {" think you are really stupid.
Mr.. M'Le0n would have forgotten all about
the club am sure he had already for
gotten it."
And therefore I reminded him of it,"
said Nellie. ~ know Peter wouldn't 90
If he did not expect to enjoy it, and !
wouldn't have him miss an evenings en-
ioyment tor the world. OF course would
like him to stay at home, since | can't 60,
it thought he would enjoy home as
much but know he is curious to see Mr..
Dutt on, and | don't want to see him dis
Will you go dress now, Peter 7
Mrs Perkins will excuse you: won't you ?"
"Oh, there's time yet, my DEAR" said
Peter. "l'll rest awhile longer"
"0h, wise young wife" thought |.
| think Mrs. Perkirs was halfincined to
think so too, from the way she looked at
Nellie as she again sat down by Peters
side, and took his hand in hers, and played
with it while she talked as lively as ever.
1t WAS eight o'clock when Peter M'Lcan
jumped up from his chair and said be real
~ must dress. If could by any means
have stopped the pendulum Of the clock
on the mantle, so that it could not have
struck eight, ] don't think he would have
thought again of the club, for it was the
striking of the clock, and not his wife,.
which reminded him Of his engagement
this time. He did get up this time, and
saying he had half mind not to go at all,
he went out OF tic room, with many apol-
ogies to Mrs. Perkins, to dress. Nellie, OF
course, went with him; aud | had favor
able opportunity Of studying the effect Of
this lesson on Mrs. Perkins.
She remained in deep thought forseveral
minutes She had woman's wit enough to
understand N2llie's tactics, and she was
evidently rejecting on what she had seen
and heard. But, a little fearful that she
did not fully appreciate the moral, VEN
twed suddenly to ask her if she had ever
read or seen the play Of "a Woman killed
by Kindness"
"My goodness! what funny question ~
she exclaimed. "No. What is it about ?"
"Nor Rule Wife and have Wife p"
"No," she said more seriously. "But
why, Uncle John ?"
"They art very clever, sensible things
to come from a man but fancy Nellie
could have told him more about ruling a
husb nd and having husband than he
knew about ruling wives"
"She does get along nicely with Peter"
ste said. doesn't she ~
"Very-Nnd it's just so all the time.
The fact is, Mrs. Perkins, Peter is a man
killed by kindness"
She was silent for moment.
IL know what you mean, Uncle john"
she said at length, half angrily.
81 am glad you do" | answered.
"You mean that Mr.. Perkins amt"
"Well, you know best about that, my
dear; and since you say he amt, believe
you. But think you will find that it's
the easiest way to rule any spirited man
worth having for husband, such as |
think Perkins is"
She had neither inclination nor time to
answer this, for Peter and Nellie came in.
to the room again he dressed very hand.
somely, and with his hat in his hand, He
was making his apologies to Mrs. Perkins
and about to leave, when the door bell
rang. The servant answered the sum
mons, and admitted a gentleman, who
was at once shown to the sitting room.
"Why, it's Mr.. Perkins y exclaimed No
lie.
"Why, Gcorge!" cried his wife, running
up to him and kissing him.
"Hallo, Perkins," said Peter; home
so soon ~
Eyes; came home, found my wife
was here, and posted after her"
But the club! Sit down, sit down.
How about the club? ?"
"Oh, a Swindle! Chamberlain and
went there. The place was SO crowded
that we got late dinner, and not the
choicest at that. When the reception
hour and the distinguished guest came, We
found the place so crowded that we looked
and felt what vulgar fractions we were, go
ing along with many hundred Others t,
make up contemplate whole, The CUES
was little, dried-up old Englishman, ant
nothing like our beau ideal of a great mer
chant. Then the introductions began, ant
the amount Of toadying and stupid, un
meaning and unmeant compliments was s,