National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-12-01
NOBODY But JOHN.

NObVbI ~ JOuNs
"Some one is coming,n said |. as I'll
clack of the shutting gate fell on my ear
and | looked at Maggies soiled untid
dress, and tumbled hair.
Maggie started, and glanced hastily froi
the window; then sat down again in
careless way, remarking, as she did so
"It's nobody but john
Nobody but John And who do vo
think that nobody was Only her hu,
band.
Nobody but John.
A few moments alterward John Fair
burn came into the room where we wer
sitting, and gave me one Of his frank, cor
dial greetings. | had known him Tor man
wears, and long before his marriage
noticed that he gave an annoyed glance a
his wife, but did not speak to her. Th
meaning OF this annoyance md indifference
was plain to ne; tor Johl had come of 1
neat and tidy family. His mothers house
keeping had always been notable. Sh,
was poor but as time and water are t
be had for nothing'-thi> was one Of hel
sayings 49, she always managed to have
things about clean and orderly.
Maggie Lee had a pretty face, bright
eyes, and charming little ways that were
very taking with the Young men, and SC
was quite a belle before she got out of her
teens. She had knack of fixing her rib
bons, or tying her scarf, or arranging her
hair, shawl, or dress in way to give grace
and charm to her person None but her
most intimate friends knew of the untid
ness that prevailed her room and person
when at home and away from common
observation.
Poor John Fairburn was taken in when
he married Maggie Lee. He thought that
he was getting the tidiest, ncate>t, sweet
est and most orderly girl in town, but
discovered too soon that he was united to
a careless slattcrn. She would dress for
other peoples eyes, because she had nat
ural love of admiration but at home and
tor her husband she put on her old duds,
and went looking often like the old
scratch" as the saying is.
On the particular occasion of which
am speaking-it was after she and John
had been married over a year-her appear
ance was almost disgusting. She did not
have on even morning dress only a
faded and tumbled chintz sack above a
soiled skirt-no collar-slipptrs down at
the heels, and dirty stockings. Her hair
looked like a hurrar's nest; if any one
knows what this isl don't but sup
pose it is the perfection of disorder. No
one could love such a looking creature.
That was simply impossible.
Nobody hut john | looked at the
bright, handsome young man and Won
dered He ate his dinner almost in silence,
and then went back to his work | had
never seen hlm so moody
What's come over John p ] asked as
he went out.
ooh, | don't know" his wife answered.
Something wrong at the shop | suppose.
He's had trouble with one Of the men.
He is foreman, you know"
" Are you sure it's only that y asked,
looking serious.
THAT, or something about his work.
There's nothing else to worry him"
| was silent for awhile, debating with
myself whether good or harm W uld come
Of little plain talk with Johns wife.
She was rather quick tempered, ! know,
and easy to take oilense. At last | ven
tured the remark.
"May be things are not just to his lik
ing at home"
"At home - Maggie turned on me with
fash Of surprise in her face. What do
you mean 2"
Men like beauty, taste and naatness
in their wives as well as in their sweet
hearts," said
The crimsonmountcd to her hair At
the same moment | saw her glance at a
looking glass that hung opposite to her on
the wall. She sat very still, yet with a
startled look in her eyes, until the flash |
faded away, and her face became almost |
pale
Maggie said |, rising and drawing
my arm around her, "come up stairs.
have something very serious to say to
you"
We walked from the little dining room
and up to her chamber in silence. then
said:
maggie, | want to tell you about
dear friend of mine who made shpwreck
OF happiness and life. 1t is a sad story,
but ! am sure it will interest you deeply.
She was my cousin; and her name was"
Maggie bent forward, listening atten-
lively. "What 2" she asked as ] hesi-
tated on the name.
IIelen.n
"Not Helen White, who married John
Harding, and was afterward deserted by
her husband %
Yes; my poor, dear cousin Helen. 1t
is OF her | am going to tell you"
al never knew why her husband went
on as he did," said Maggie. "Some said
he was to blame, and some put all the
fault on her. How was it ~
Both were to blame but she most"
! replied. "John Harding, like your hus-
band. was one of the neatest and most
orderly of men. Anything untidy in his
home, or in the person of his wife, annoyed
and often put him out Of humor but he
did not, as he should have done, speak
plainly 70 bis wife and LET her see exactly