Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-10-12
The lesson.
A STORY FOR HUSBANDS AND WIVES,

A STORY FOR HUSBANDS AND WIVES,
Are you going out again, dear {" s4ic
pretty Mrs. Hart to her husband, az, ris
ing from the tea-table, he went 10 the
hat-rack. and taking therefrom his hat
twirled it about before putting it
Yes my dear, have an engagement tt
meet a gentleman on business ha replied
buttoning his coat up to his neck
% you always have something 80 take
you out I thought we could have - cosy
evening at home said the wife, with {
slight petulance, though sadly too
why, my dear, what would you have
! Here you have music, the last novel, the
latest magazines; have you not enough tc
amuse you for few hours? You need
not wait up, by-the-by; it will probably
be late before we get throngb,' and touch.
ing her forehead with his lipn, lie was
gone.
Mrs. Hart returned slowly to the sit
ting-room, arranged and ra-arrauged the
furniture, and at length seated her
self in luxurious chair, put her feet up
on the fender, and took up the last novel
Bnt neither golden-haired angel nor ra-
veu-haired sinner had interest for her.
and wearily closing the book, she fell into
sad revery. She spent many evenings
thus, for her husband, fir type Of the
modern Benedict, was business man"
and had little time, or imagined that he
had. to give his wife.
The time piece on the mantle struck
eight an idea occurred 10 rsr, aud ris-
ing hsstily, she rang the he'll f t. her
maid. In a few moments she appeared
Annette said her mistress, tell
Thomas TO have the carriage at the door
in an hour, and then yon come and dress
me; am going out
The girl silently oboyod, sn1 Mrs
Hart, turning the gas low. left the room,
and entering her dressing room. began TO
make her toilet The dark hair was
curled aud braided, the soft silk, covered
with softer lace, swept around her. while
jewels CLEANED upon neck and arrn4 BID
ding Annette tell her master, in 80 he
returned before she did, that she had
gone to Mrs, Elders party, she entered
the carriage and rolled away
Mrs Elders large psrlors were crowded,
and dancing had already begun when
Mrs Hart entered, upon the arm Of her
host. Her hostess met her in the center
of the room, and greeting her cordially.
turned to a gentleman at her side, saying
gaiIv:
Ernest, I will coofde to your care my
friend Mrs. Hart; allow me, my dear, to
present my cousin, Mr.. Cloud; be sure
you return her to me unscathed, as am
responsible for her, snd turned away toI
greet new corners.
DO you like these assemblies, Mrs
Hart p were the Fl st words he addressed
to her, ss they made their way slowly to
a sofa, upon which she seated herself,
while he stood near.
'Only as a relief from utter lonelin 81 :;
a crowd, though not so welcome SIS one or
few choice friends, is still to b prefer
red to solitude,' replied Mrs Hart. un,
conscious that she was giving those keen
blue eyes peep into her inner lie and
2riefs.
Solitude and loneliness for you you
should not know their meaning with a
look that conveyed a holder ftttery than
even did his words
Perhaps should not; if 1 d., it is
probably my own fault she rejoined with
a light laugh.
why your own fault? You do not
look like one to whom society is displeas-
ingP
You fl alter; my tastos are dom, site
and prefer quiet evening at home VIII
books, music, and a choice friend, to these
gay scenes; it may be bad taste i'll me,
but it is true, nevertheless.
Il understand and sympathiza with you,
but it is rarely that lady Whose attrac-
tions fit her to shine in society prefers 70
twinkle by her own Preside for the bene-
fit of one poor mortal
And still more rarely does the poor
mortal for whom she 'twinkles' Appreciate
her self-sacrifce and profit by it, sid a
gay voice at his elbow; and turning, he |
met the bright eyes and mischisVous
smile or Nellie Hart, cousin of Harry
Here is Cousin Helen, moping at her
own Preside, evening after evening, with |
the idea, instilled into her by her excel |
lent mother, that home is 'woman's sphere
that nowhere does she shine to go much |
advantage as in her own home so she du-
tifully dresses, tides up the dressing
room, lays out Harry's wrapper and Slip
pers, meets him with kiss, pours out biz
tea, and, in a word, faithfully performs
all the duties of good wife, as laid down
for her by DR.. Todd and the rest of them
Harry comes in with preoccupiad look
upon his face, touches his lips to HeIen's
forehead Swallows his tea behind the BID.
Ietin, or the Telegraph, and is up and has
bis hat on again before Helen has had
time to say half q dozen words to him
He works b rler than any drayman or
laborer in the city, for, after plodding all
day in that dingy flee, he is obliged,
poor fellow, to attend election for officers
of the League, or bis Lodge requires bis
presence, or there is meeting of the
Gold Board, and between it all, Helen
&C es less of him than che di2 before their
Really, Miss Nell. you seem to know
all about it, Ian hed Mr.. Cloud.
L do know all about it, and have profit
ed 80 well by that knowledge tn 1t when
marry, intend to look out for for
tune. and let love alone
Not you, indeed How about that
young G4len, who fluids you such an in
teresiiog patient, and withsl so delicate,
that be must needs see you at least once
iay p
Nonsense exclaimed Nell, with a
blush and laugh, do you suppose am I
10 far behind the age as to marry a man
whose worldly possessions are limited to {
,is horse, carriage and case of surgical I
Instruments Not /. indeed! Women
who marry for love find after marriage +,
hat they have married for money after 6
III, without knowing it. for they get lit. I
lie else, but am going to do it with my I
yes wide open, and then I shall not be !
disappointed and laughing gayly, she I
eft them.
DO You agree with your merry cousin, g
Hiss Hart p said Cloud. 4
Not entirely. though there is much /