The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-03-07


ly he turned as though he would read
il aloud; but there was no wife to hear
it. At half.past eight he arose from
his chair and began to pase the foor,
and whistle. Then he went and got
bis flute, and performed several of his
iavOrite airs. After this he got q d
pack Of cards and played q game Of
High, Low, Jack, with an imaginar
ry partner. Then he walked the floor.
and whistied again. Finally the clock
struck nine and his wife returned.
d Well, George, / am back in good
season. How have you enjoyed your
sclf? ,aa e3asa 70 al sJs x'
! 'Capitally,' returned the husband /
i had no idea it was SO late. hope !
you have had good time.
y %, splendid. 1 had no idea how
much enjoyment there was away from
home. Home is dull place after all,
isn'tit?9 h8TgaaTa sst3ai e33 gl3l 81
d.Why--no--I can't say that it is,'
returned George. I rather like it Is.
I'm glad of that, retortcd Emma,
fer we both shah enjoy ourselves now.
| Yop shall have a nice comfortable
week Of it, eA s91d1 Off aiEG = =
George WINGED some at this, but he
kept his countenancc, and determined
to stand it out. sTxsf{ yi,f4 81
On the nextevening Emma prepared
to 60 away again.
Where are you goingf' asked the
husband.
%, l can't tell exactly. I may go to
seyeral places 3
So George Wilson was left alone
again, and he tried to amuse himself
as before; but he found it hard work.
Ever and anon he cast his eye upon
that empty chair, and the thought
would come, How pleasant it would
be if she were here" The clock final.
ly struck nine, and he began to listen
for the step of his wife. Half an hour
more slipped by, and he became very
uneasy.
II declare, he muttered to himself,
after he had listened some time in
vain, this 10 too bad. She ought not
to stay out so late. !"
But he happened to remember that
he often remained away much later
than that, SO he concluded that he
must make the best of it.
At fifteen minutes to ten Emma came
home. ..
"a little late, amt I?' she said.
looking up at the clock. But I fell
in with some Of my good old friends,
and made time Of It. How have
you enjoyed yourself?"
First rate!'' replied George, brave-
~. II think home . great place"
Especially when one can have it
all to himself" added his wife, with q
side glance at her husband.
| But he made no reply.
On the next evening Emma pre-
pared to 60 ont as before; but this
time she kissed her husband ere she
went, and seemed to hesitate some.
where do you think Of going?'
George asked, in an undertone.
| Il may drop in to see Uncle John, I"
replied Emma. However, you won't
be uneasy. You know / am safe"
| "O-certainly." Il
/ When the husband WAS left 10 his
own reflections, he began to ponder
seriously upon the subject thus pre-
sented for consideration. He could
not read, he could not play, he could
mot enjoy himself in any way while
that chair was empty. It short, he
found that home had no real comfort
without his wife. The one thing need
ful to make his home cheerful was
not present.
II declare" he said to himself. II
!, did not think it would be lonesome.
And can it be that she feels as do
when she is here alone? It must be
so," he pursued, thoughtfully. ut is
. just as she says. Before we were
married she was very happy in he1
childhood's home. Her parents Low.
! ed her, and her brothers and sisters
loved her, and they did all they could
to make her comfortable.
After this he walked up and down
the room several times, and then STOP
ped again and communed with him.
, self
: II can't stand this. I should die il
, o week. IF Emma were only here,
think 1 could amuse myself very we'll
How lonesome and dreary it is. And
walk down by Uncle Johns and see
her face. l won't go in. She shan't
know yet that hold out SO family
George Wilson took another turr
l across the room, glanced once more al
' the clock, and then took his hat, anG
. went out. He locked the door aftel
him, and bent his steps toward Uncl,
0 Johns. It was a beautiful moonlight
9 night. and the air was keen and bra
e cling. He was walking along, with hi,
eyes bent upon the sidewalk, when h
) heard light step approaching him
g He looked up, and-he could not b,
mistaken-sawh his wife. His first i'm
D pulse was to avoid her, but she recog
nized him.
Il George" she said, "is this you?'
1T is,n was the response.
And do you not pass your evening
l at home?"
Il "This is the first time l have bee,
out, Emma, upon my word, and evel
q now have not been absent from tn
q house ten minutes. / merely cam
3 out to take some fresh air. But wher
J. are you gOing?"
t II am going home, George. Will
d you go with ne?''
!. Certainly" replied the husband
It She took his arm and they wake,
'f home in silence.
d When Emma had taken of he
{: things she sat down in her rocking
II chair, and gaxed up at the clock.
e You came home early tonight,
e replied George.
e. The young wife looked up into he
9 husbands face, and, with an express
d sion half smiling and half fearful, sh
= answered:
J. Il will confess the truth, George;
.. have given up the experiment.
le managed to stand it last evening, bu
&c | could not bear it through to-nigh,
When l thought of you here all alone
% | wanted to be with You. Il didn