National Republican., 1874-05-09
THE HUSBANDS LESSON.

The ringing OF the door-bell has q pleasant
sound to me, more particularly in my idle moods
Like an unopened letter, there is q mys terry about
I, and one waits with q pleasurable eIcitem ent
to see who or what is coming.
Returning home one day earlier than usual,
found that my wife had gone out and while idly
waiting her return the door-bell rang. waited
expectant until Mary appeared with o note, con-
tanning request from an old friend, George L,
to ride out to his residence in the country the
next day, and to bring my wife with me. was
much pleased, not so much on account Of any
pleasure which it might give my wife, but be-
cause thought needed days recreation, and
in the lovely summer time the country has pecu-
liar charms for me.
But the next morning everything seemed to go
wrong. Alice could not accompany me, and 1
could not get of as early as wished, conse-
quently / was fretful and peevish, and Alice
seemed TO reflect my humor, for she never seemed
to be so unamiable. At length, however, I drove
away, though not in q very pleasant mood. 1t
was lovely day. and as rode along noting the
beauties of the landscape my memory went back
unbidden to the time when wooed and won my
bride How lovely Alice was then, / thought.
And how happy we WERE But that was long ago
No; is 1t possible, we have been married only
three years? And felt sharp pang as 1 con-
trasted the past with the present to think that
we could settle down into the commonplace life
now led.
We had no serious trouble; we did not quarrel
though when I felt cross, or things did not suit
me, took no pains to conceal It, and often spoke
harshly to Alice, who sometimes replied in the
same spirit and sometimes with tears. Yet we
were generally good friends. Still the charm, the
tenderness of our early love had impereeptibly
vanished. i had become careless about my per-
sonaI appearance at home, and Alice was almost
equally negligent Her beautiful brown hair,
which usad n In he unOS ham
curls, was now usually brushed plainly behind
her ears, unless she was going out or expected
company.
dismissed the subject with q sigh, as drew
up at my friends gate, with the reflection that 1t
was the same with all married people-must be
SO, in fact; for how could romance and sentiment
find place among SO many prosy realities? Isup-
pose we were as happy as anybody; and yet it
was not the kind Of life that had looked forward
to with so many bright anticipations. My friend
greeted me with great cordiality. In the hall we
met Mrs. l., looking fresh and lovely in her
pink muslin wrapper, with her jetty hair in taste
full braids. She reproved me playfully for not
bringing my wife with me. chatted few minutes,
and then fitted away, while my friend led the
way TO the library. As We entered the room
noticed Q vase Of bright flowers on the table, i'm
parting an air Of taste and cheerfulness to the
apartment. 1 made some remark about it, to
which my friend responded:
"Yes, am very fond Of flowers, and like to see
them in the house, and as spend much Of my
time here, my wife always keeps vase Of them
on the table as long as they last.'
After dinner we walked out into the grounds,
which were quite extensive and most tastefuIIy
arranged. There was q variety of flowers in
5l9om, and ! p2ticed that L. selected here and
there the fnest until he had handsome bouquet.
when we reached the house Nrs. L. was on the
steps. Hef husband, stIf cohtinlips S our conVer.
sation, gave her the flowers with a smile, Sin.
holding up spray of crimson berries, which he |
had broken OF, she bent her b cad while he fas- |
tened 1t among the dark braids Of her hair.
1t was trifing incident, yet their manher ar |
rested my attention, Had bcen stranger
would have proao6nced them lovers instead Of
sober married people. All through the day no.
uceHr ene same delicate attention and deference
In their department to each other. There was
nothing Of which the most fastidious guest could
complain; yet, while showing me the most cordial
attention, they did not ignore each others exist
ence, as married people too often seem to do.
had never before visited my friend at his coun-
try home, and was very much pleased with It. 1
said SO, after dinner, we strolled out into the
woods.
"Yes, he said, 81 think It is pleasant; and" he
added, 81 believe am a contented man. So far
1 am not disappointed in life"
iHoH long have you been married, 1t" asked.
"Ten years"
SWELL" pursued, "can you tell me whence is
the bright atmosphere that surrounds your homef
Tel me how you and your excellent wife manage
TO retain the depth Of your early love you seem
to dor I should think the wear and tear of life
would dim It somewhat I never before saw a
home where my ideal Of domestic happiness
was realized, 1t is What have dreamed Of, but
have not yet been permitted to enjoy"
NV friend smiled. and Dointinu "a thrifty
grape vine climbing over neat lattice and loaded
with fruit, said: .. ..-
"That vine Heeds careful attention, and, If cared
for, 1t is what you see 1t, but, II neglected, how
soon would It become worthless thipgI So the
love, which to ALL at some period is the most pre-
cious thing in life, and which needs 50 much care
to keep IT unimpaired, is generally neglected.
All! my dear fellow, II is little acts-trihes-that
% oitep estIspge loving hearts. have always
made II point to treat my wife with tho same
courtesy that characterized my department in the
days Of our courtship; and while am careful p~.
to offend heT t.stes md little PssIud..ses am
sure that mine Will Be l9sslfs rs,nsotsd more.
over iPStsad q itss:a..ar her as an tnferlor-ss .
mei,S ms,s,a ,lJund to obey my every behest..l
reallIs fact that she is my equal and, such,
OF our daily affairs as have. BY this means, my
dear friend, We manage to live happily together,
and 70 show 70 those around Us that there is stll
/ in the world such thing as domestic happiness
| and comfort"
That night I rode homeward, pom derIng over
what had seen and heard, and re viewing the
| years of our married life was surpr ised at my
own blindness, and determined, II possible, TO re-
i call the early dream.
The next morning, at breakfast, astonished
Alice by careful toilette, chatted over the din
\ ner and after tea invited her out to walk. When
shscame down, arrayed In my fayorite dress, with
her hair in shining curls, thought she never
/ looked lovelier. I exerted myself as Of old, to
entertain her and was surprised to nd how quickly
the evening passed. y
| resolved to test my friends theory perfectly,
and the result exceeded my most sanguine expec-
tations. For all the little nameless attentions,
| 30 gratifying to woman's heart, and 80 univef-
sally accorded by the lover and neglected by the
husband, hnd myself repaid thousand fold;
and would advise all who are signing over the
non-fulhllment OF their early dreams to 60 and do
likewise, remembering that what il worth using
is worth keeping.