The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1874-12-24
A Matrimonial Lecture!

Alter hevlng been married some
weeks, it came into the head of young
husband one Sunday, when he had little
to occupy his mind, to suggest to his
wife that they should plainly and
honestly state the faults that each had
discovered in the other since they had
been man and wife, After some hesita-
tiOn the wife agreed to the proposition,
but stipulated that the rehearsal sheuld
be made to all sincerity and with an
honest view to the bettering of each
other, as otherwise it would be of no
use to speak OF the faults to which mar
riage had opened their eyes. The hus-
band was Of the same mind, and his
wife asked him to begin with her faults,
He was somewhat reluctant, but his
wife insisted that he was the first to
propose the matter, and as he was at
the head Of the house it was his place
to take the lead. Thus urged, be began
the recital. He said
"My dear, one of the first faults /
observed in you after we began keeping
house was that you good deal neglected
the tinware. You didn't keep it secured
as bright as it should be. My mother
always took great pride in her tinware
and kept it as bright as dollar.
81 am glad you have mentioned it,
dear" said the wife, blushing little !;
hereafter you shall see no speck on
cup or pan. Pray proceed"
81 have often observed, said the hus
band, "that you often use your dish
rags a long time without washing them,
and then finally throw them away. Now,
when at home I remember that my
mother always used to wash out her
dish rags when she was done using
them, and then hang them up where
they would dry, ready for the next time
she would need them"
Blushing as before, the young wife
promised to amend this fault.
The husband continued with most
formidable list of similar faults, many
more than we have space to enumerate,
when he declared that he could think Of
nothing more that was worth mention.
"Now," said he, my dear, you be-
gin and tell me all the faults you have
observed in me since we have been mar
ried "
The young housewife sat in silence
her face flushed to the temples, and
great lump came in her throat, which
she seemed to be striving hard to swal-
low.
Proceed, my dear tell me all the
faults you have observed in me, sparing
none -
Arising suddenly from her scat, the
little wife burst into tears, and throwing
both arms about her husbands neck,
cried
"My dear husband, have not fault
in the world. If you have even one,
my eyes have been so blinded by my
love for you that as long rs we have
been married | have rever once OBJ.
served it. In my eyes you are perfect,
and oil that you do seems to mo to be
done in the best manner and just what
should be done"
"But, my DEAR" said the husband
his face reddening and his voice growing
husky with emotion "iust think have
gone end found all manner of faults
with you. Now do tell me some of my
faults / know | have mony-ten times
as many as you ever had or ever will
have. Let me hear them"
"Indeed, husband, it is as | tell you,
You have not single fault that | can
see. Whatever you do seems right in
my eyes, and now that l know what a
pood-for nothing little wretch l am, l
shall at once begin the work Of reform
and try to make myself more worthy of
you"
"Nonsense, my dear, you know some
times go away and leave you without
any wood cut; [ stay uptown when ]
ought to be at home; l spend my
money for drinks and cigars when |
ought to bring it home to you I"
"No you DON'T" cried his wife; "you
do nothing of the kind. like to see
you enjoy yourself; should be un-
happy were you to do otherwise than
Just exactly as You do y
"God bless you, little wife ?" cried
the now thoroughly subiugated hus-
band; "from this moment you have
not fault i'll the world Indeed you
never had fault; / was but jokiug-.
don't remember a word l said ?? and
he kissed away the tears that still
trembIed in tho little wolan's eyes.
Never again did the husband scrutin'
jzp the tinware nor examine the dish
rag-never so much as mention one OF
the faults he had enumerated but utsoon
after the neighbor women were won't TO
say:
"It is wonderful how neat Mrs. =
keeps everything about her house. Her
tinware is always as bright as a new
dollar and do believe she not only
washes but irons her dish h'ragsT And
the neighbor men were heard to say (:
"What steady fellow Mr.. - has got
to be of late; he don't spend a dime
where he used TO spend dollars, and can
never b. kept from home hall an hoar
when he is not at work. He seems al
most 10 worship his wife,