Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-10-21
MIscEILAAEousf.
THE FIRST QUARREL.

John ROGERS and Mary Glenn were
g just married, and we're going to house
keeping in the little brown cottage over the
wav. ,aE sH .s
Very proud, very happy, and very loving
we're this young couple, as they walked from
the church to the little house that was to he
their future home. .~s
Many plans were laid aud many resolutions
formed, that were to govern their future lives
John was government clerk on small
salary, but he was very industrious aud accu.
rate in all that he did, aud stood in a fair way
to be promoted
And it had been only by the strictest econ.
omy that enough had heen saved to buy aud
furnish the aforesaid cottage
For John. with wisdom not always met
with among men of his c'ass. had determined
to first have homo for his bride before they
were married. a
Mary was left an orphan at very early age,
but bv dint of hard labor. and much self de-
NAL. had succeeded in giving herself an edu>
cation, and had been for some years employed
as teacher in the public schools of Green.
vile, small town in one of our New England
States
1t was at this place she first met John
Rogers.
But, alasi! for the stability of human hap>
pipess, the loveliest rose has thorus and the
sweetest cup its bitter, and SO it proved with
our friends, for in about six months they
began to find that something besides love is
needed Tor people to live happily together in
this the holiest Of earthly relations.
In that time Mary had began to learn that
John considered himself master, not only of
his home, but also of the woman he called
wife,
And John saw that, although her love for
him remained unchanged, her life in the
school>roon had entirely uufi,ted her to per
form her role of submission in ANYTHING like
the manner he considered proper aud becon-
ing in wife.
"John," said Mary, one morning at break.
fast, "Mrs Seever has invited me to spend
the afternoon Mt her house to-day. May we
expect you at tea time.
"l cau't see what women always want to be
visiting for. IF it was me there would be
very little visiting done. I think woman's
proper place is at home attending to her
family, and not running the Streets" was the
reply.
"But, my DEAR" replied she, remember
that have been out bat one afternoon since
our marriage Knowing your wishes in that
direction l have respected them. Aud you
know that when one stays indoors all day. it is
very pleasant to go out if only to ueighhor's
house. However, you did not answer my
question. You will come, will you not 7"
'No; l do not think it right to encourage,
even by my presence, what | believe to be i'm.
proper. Now don't cry, if there is anything
I detest, i. is woman who is always crvipe
and sniveling," was the unfeeling reply, Sec
ing grieved aud disappointed look over
spreading her face.
s'Thank you sir, for your opinion of me.
It is very pleasant and refreshing, indeed but
since my presence is SO distasteful to YOU. I
will no longer intrude myself upon YOU" So
saying she arose and walked from the room.
The dinner hour that day passed SLOWLY
away, for this was their first enlargement.
and both felt that apology was due from
the other, and that peace could not be restored
until such an apology had been made.
Mary felt that she had done or said nothing
that called forth such an outburst on his part.
And John, though knowing himself to he
in the wrong, still looked for some sign of re-
Cancellation from her; for, said he to himself:
"shall man, beg forgiveness of
woman, and that woman my wife? No never.
1t would be establishing dangerous pre-
cedent"
So the hour passed without any reference
being made By either to the occurrence of the
morning.
AS the hour drew near, Mary started for
the residence of her friend not with any ex>
pectation of enjoying herself, for thi. she fel.
would be impossible. after what had occurred.
But she had promised to be there, and there,
fore felt that she mus. 90.
She had proceeded hut short distance
VIXEN, on turning the corner, she saw car
riage coming at full speed directly tovsrd her
Escape was impossible, for the horses. mad
with fright, reared and plunged, then all was
blank.
When next she opened her eyes she was
lying on her bed in her own room, aud seated
at her side, his eyes filled with love and
anxiety. was her husband.
"Where am I, and how came here 2" said
she, essaying to rise, but failing in the at
tempt.
You have been i'll. my wife," said her
husband, shut you are better now"
"But what is the matter ?''
"You were run over by pair of frightened
horses. and nearly killed. But please God
you will soon be we'll. Not another word
now just try and sleep while sit and watch
with you"
Too weak for resistance, Mary closed her
eyes and was soon in sweet slumber
When John saw that his wife had fallen
asleep, he arose and softly left the room.
And what think you, reader, that this
strong man did? This man who considered
tears sign of weakness aud imbecility. He
went to his room and cried for very Joy, and