Connecticut western news., 1871-10-20

so that I shan't be disappointed in looking for you, not because you think an apology necessary"
 "That's very true, my dear. Of course I write only because think you will be uneasy"
 "So would, Peter; but not angry, I hope"
 "Nor suspicious, either?"
 "Of 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. I think she was puzzled at this time for a reply perhaps she was also confused at hearing herself thus rebuked out of her friends mouth 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 we'll as fond of his wife and though often when only she and arc present he relapses into thoughtful silence, and is quite absent minded, he is always attentive and inter- ested when company is present, and takes great care to draw her out and show her off.
 And she is woman who shows to ad- vantage, not only in person, but manners and conversation and on this evening, by little effort, had my eyes and ears open, and fancied I detected an effort on her part to be as 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-fown 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 dry-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, "I think you are really stupid. MT. M'Lean would have forgotten all about the club; I am sure he had already for gotten it."
 And therefore I reminded him of it, D said Nellie. "I know Peter wouldn't go if he did not expect to enjoy it, and wouldn't have him miss an evenings en- joyment for the world. Of course would like him to stay at home, since can't go, if I thought he would enjoy home as much but know he is curious to see MT. Dutt on, and don't want to see him dis appointed. Will you go dress now, Peter :? Mrs. Perkins will excuse you won't you 2"
 "Oh, there's time yet, my dear," said Peter. "I'll rest awhile longer"
 "Oh, wise young wife" thought l.
 think Mrs. Perkins was halfinclined to think so too, from the way she looked at Nellie as she again sat down by Peter's side, and took his hand in hers, and played with it while she talked as lively as ever.
 It was eight o'clock when Peter M'Lean jumped up from his chair and said he real ly must dress. If I 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 tho room, with many apol- ogies to Mrs. Perkins, to dress. Nellie, of course, went with him; and I had favor able opportunity of studying the effect of this lesson on Mrs. Perkins.
 She remained in deep thought for rseveral minutes. She had woman's wit enough to understand Nellie's tactics, and she was evidently refecting on what she had seen and heard. But, little fearful that she did not fully appreciate the moral, ven- tured 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 a Wife and have Wife ?'''
 "No," she said more seriously, But why, Uncle John ?"
 "They are very clever, sensible things to come. from a man but I fancy Nellie could have told him more about ruling a husband and having a husband than he knew about ruling wives."
 "She does get along nicely with Peter, J she said. "Doesn't she p "Very-and it's just so all the time The fact is, Mrs. Perkins, Peter is a man killed by kindness"
 : She was silent for moment. I know what you mean, Uncle John, she said at length, half angrily. :" am glad you do," answered. , "You mean that MT. Perkins ain't.'' "Well, you know best about that, my dear and since you say he ain't, 1 believe , you. But think you will find that it's the easiest way to rule any spirited mar worth having for husband, such as ; think Perkins is."
 She had neither inclination nor time to answer this, for Peter and Nellie came in | fn bo ho hoy, somely, and with hls hat in his hand. He was making his apologies to Mrs. Perkins and about to leave, when the door-bel rang. The servant answered the sum-
 mons, and admitted gentleman, wht
 was at once shown to the sitting-room. , "Why, it's MT. Perkins l" exclaimed Mel lie.
 "Why, George ]" cried his wife, runnin, up to him and kissing him. 7 "Hallo, Perkins," said Peter; hom
 so soon?"
 > "Yes; [ came home, found my wifi e was here, and posted after her." t G But the club! Sit down, sit down.
 How about the club?"
 e "Oh, a swindle! Chamberlain and
 went there. The place was so crowded r that we got late dinner, and not tn 0 choicest at that. When the reception y hour and the distinguished guest came, W
 found the place so crowded that we looke d and felt what vulgar fractions we were, go n ing along with many hundred others t is make up contemptible whole. The gues
 was little, dried-up old Englishman, an > nothing like our beau ideal of great mer
 chant. Then the introductions began, an It the amount of toadying and stupid, un e meaning and unmeant compliments was & j. disgusting that Chamberlain, with his usu IT al Western brusqueness, said he wouldn'
 condescend to be introduced, and left. An 5, so did too. Don't you go."
 And Peter did not. He and his wifi