Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-09-23
She was sitting before the grats one
evening, waiting tea as usual. al pre-
sumo he will come. she said with sigh;


"Yes. indeed lie was very foolish TO
marry. considering his negligence. All
the rcla livos pity you."I went On. in on
effort To condole with her. 'and il il
grows unbearable as they predict it will.
some OF them will blame you"
Perhaps the fire in the CRATE famed up
in her cheeks. At all events they were
crimson. She thrust both hand into her
curls and then said sweetly; 1--WE may
as well have tea. cousin Sebrina."
John came in at half past eleven, over.
flowing with glib excuses. Matte stood
on tiploes and kissed him with more OF
the old look in her face than | had seen
for days. could have boxed her deli.
cate ears After my hint, she might
have taken a decided hand with the
scamp.
was awakened next morning by Mat
ties clear voice twittering a ballad. At
breakfast she informed me that ! must
not go home rs intended. but was TO
promise 10 remain another month. In pity
| did. But. regret il. II isn't necessary
to put in all the agony of those days.
Suffice it TO say in less than week the
house was in q horror OF confusion.
Matte trUtted around under All arch little
hat. finding cougeniaI spirits. She forgot
all her housewife ways; wo lunched and
had "peces in our hands" For little
time | never saw two persons so utterly
delighted with each others shiiilessncss.
Backing and powder. boots aud bonnels,
found place in the sitting room. The
parlor boasted of moro refined articles.
such as collars. cuffs, slippers and laces.
John began to be rather lily supplied
in tho way OF shirts Calling for one Of
these clean articles as Il necessary part of
areception toilet. Matte laughingly said
NOW isn't it so funny? really for
got you needed clean shirt. Six nrc
rough dry in the closet. three forgot to
put in the wash. and the others haven't =
button on. But you will not mind wait
ing. darling. and cousin Sebrina will sew
some on"
1--WE are all ready" replied John say
agely.
As might be expected, we had = late
breakfast next morning. Matte presided
at the table. collarless, hair in disorder.
aud slippers down at the heel. Johns
disposition being slightly ruffled, he in
cliucd 10 carry 1t further and DO dis.
pleased. He blundered over his coffee,
and bade Us good morning.
We were 10 lunch at dinner. Bysop,e
oversight John came home. lie WAS
evidently hungry, and everybody knows
what al abominabie creature hungry
man is. | have long looked for popular
indignation to do away with emotional
insanity" in case of murder; and / am
quite satisfied influenced by hunger"
will be the next plea.
Matte" said he in towering rage,
when | married you, you were neat,
orderly, and endeavored TO please me.
Should husband come 10 such a dinner
as that' Really, madam. il l had need
OF u gridiron, | should as soon look in
your dressing. room rs in the kitchen for
it,
And so he went on full quarter OF an
hour. bubbling over aud fairly liyid with
rage. / expected great scene, but Mat
tie sat very still and placid until he had
paused. because he was too angry to 20
on. Then she arose and going over to
him said:
MY dear John. you astonish me |
most earnestly desire to please you. |
Am merely following your example.
When mari led you, you regarded my
slightest wish. Now you forget to pro.
vide for me. or 10 give me money to
keep me from starving. II | desired
your boots should find one pair under
the sitting.room sofa. and another under
the kitchen table. 1t follows that my tea.
kettle might with propriety be found on
the best bed. When was married, my
father said must pull the same way my
husband did. tried TO be dutiful
daughter. 1 shall try to he dutiiul vile.
| shall tako the path you marked out for
me.n
She smiled as she finished, bat John
saw how firm she was ia the set, red lips.
lie looked ever to mo just as l nodded
approvingy. "She Is right" he gasped,
IL will run TO tho market for u mutton
chop" We had n jolly dinner after all.
and John was reformed man.
The relatives all wonder what course
Johns wife took with him. Far be il for
me to lisp what | know. For OF all
abominable things, the most abominable,
is TO take advantage of being an intimate
in ones family. to blazon about ones
secret ways. But never SEQ n patient
wife enduring husbands neglect and
forever righting what he has uronged,
but feel like sitting down and telling
them about Johns wiie.-Efie Webster
in Chicago Magazine.