Connecticut western news., 1871-10-20

evening. My husband has gone to his confounded club, and he writes me that MT. M'Lean is going with him. He adds that he will not be back until eleven, and that he will dine at the club"
 "Peter is coming home to dinner" an- swered Nellie. "I expect him every mo- ment. am just warming his dressing gown and slippers for him; and now you are come, I'll have nice, cozy dinner set here instead of the dining-room, and we'll all have a nice time of it."
 And the lively little woman rang the bell, and gave orders to serve dinner iu the sitting-room.
 st We'll, if MT. MLean can come home to dinner, don't see why my husband can't.n ..... ......
 ooh, business may keep bim later to- day than usual" said Nellie. "Oh no; its nothing of the sort. He says so rather often of late, but it's all 8 fib. Your husband doesn't stay too."
 But he comes late sometimes we have to wait half an hour for him frequently. He says it's the busy season.'
 "So it is, so it is," said. This is the busiest season of the year. am glad to see Peter late to dinner occasionally, for I know then that things are going we'll" "And then, besides, there are so many things to keep business man that we don't think off argued the noble little woman of my choice. '--
 "Oh, that's all gammon, Nellie," said Mrs. Perkins, "and you don't believe it. My husband has said those very words to me thousand times, and called me incon- siderate because I did not credit it." Why, it's business, of course, my dear; if it wasn't for business, you know, they wouldn't go away at all"
 It isn't business which is keeping them tonight, is it 2" s;s -a.s l Nellie had no answer to this. Mrs. Perkins saw her advantage, and would have launched out into further arguments and assertions, and perhaps indulged in a tirade against husbands who neglected their wives, if the servant had not at this time begun to set the table. She was dis erect enough not to talk before the ser wants am sorry she was not wise enough to talk less before us. She had not time to commence her talk after the servant had finished before Peters key was heard in the lock, and Nellie ran rapidly to the door to meet him.
 "Ah, little woman," we. heard Peter say in his cheery voice, tam l late Z"
 "Oh no," she answered s'dinner is not served yet; but it's ready, and you won't be delayed. Here is Mrs. Perkins," she added, as they entered the door. saw Peter drop his arm from about her waist and Nellie took her hand from his shoul- der, as they did so. ''Here is Mrs. Per kins, come to dine with us."
 How dye do, Mrs. Perkins % said Pc ter |" Glad to see you. How dye do uncle? All well I hope2 Any news, Nellie ?'
 "No, believe not. The gas man came with his bill, which I paid-$3.75; and had to have the plumber to open those pipes again. They are such nuisance"
 Well, 1 am sorry, my dear, but don't see how I can improve them. Nothing else 2" ....... -...
 "No, believe not. Here's your chair
 '" If you have finished your domestic af- fairs," said Mrs. Perkins, trying to conceal little the contempt she had for these little things, and also the chagrin she felt that her husband had not como home tc her, twill you tell me if you know where my husband is 2"
 s'I left Perkins at the store deep in ac- counts with old Chamberlain. You re- member Chamberlain, of Chamberlain & Gould, uncle, don't you ASt. Louis peo pie. Perkins has sold him big bill, and is closing up with him this evening. Did n't you get note from him ? He wrote \ by the messenger. He is to take Cham berlain to the club to-night-reception o John Dutton, big English steamship king You know of him, uncle. Pm going my self Can't you come 2"
 had no inclination, and said so.
 "Peter," said his wife, all of sudden eff you are going, you'll want to stay late and you had better take good rest befor' you go. Here are your slippers and gown Your feet must be tired, cased In thos heavy boots all day. Take off your boots and let me have them blacked, and you coat brushed. Pve had your gown airing and you won't catch cold" She did not give him time to demur but while he was vainly striving to 'sedg in word sideways" she went on: 'sMrs. Perkins will excuse your changin
 before her. Won't you, my dear :? o
 course: we are all old married folks now I There! Don't they feel easier now? Le
 me take your coat now. Here's you
 gown. Pm sure you will have good res
 now"
 : "They ore comfortable, 1 must say, Q said Peter, lying back in his easy-chai . and stretching his legs, This is enoug to come home for, without the addition (
 the dinner, which already smell not S
 very far off" -; ', ''It shall be served immediately" sai r his wife. s'You shall not be delayed a :. all. What time do you go to the club 2'
 "1t will be time enough to begin dress
 ing at six or half past"
 il "Oh, then you can chat with Mrs. Pel ii kins an hour before you go. Talk to he f while see that dinner is ready. She t dying to hear you say something abou a MT. Perkins," And Nellie ran for mir d ute or two to the kitchen.
 "Oh, Perkins is all right" said Pete
 thus urged. You know what capit; ,- clerk he was, uncle. We'll, he is bette t partner. He is carrying the concern o n his shoulders, I may say, and he is yer " deep in business matters just now" B. {" So it would seem," said Mrs. Perkin }; if we are to believe the statements of u st business men themselves. You suppol lg each other in your fibs."
 "Fibs! You certainly don't suppos 10 Perkins is fibbing2''
 to "White hes-only to deceive his pol to trusting wife," she returned, trying
 laugh merrily, but not succeeding vel Id well.
 of "When he stays out of an evening, al ,t says he was at the club, or down town ( I necessary business, you don't think he pr really tibbing 2"
 1t "0h, you know you men do flo to If ceive us poor wives ]"
 s. "I worder if Nellie really thinks tn e. of me- Nellie," he added, as his wife can le into the room again, Mrs Perkins is a $, serting that you wives never believe yo ,d husbands business excuses"
 Of course don't,' said Mrs. Perkir q "and don't believe Nellie does"