Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-24
Tales and Sketehes.
TOO DOMESTICATED.
FROM THE GERMAN OF F. eERsrEckrK.
lcoNrrxuED FROM YE.rERDAY.I

FROM THE GERMAN OF F. GERsrEcKER.
lcoNTIyUED FROM YEsTERDAY.
The young people had, since their re-
turn from their wedding tour, lived as
quietly as possible, neither ofthem finding
any satisfaction in those pleasures which
had to be sought beyond their own home.
Wahlborn had no liking for public-house
life; he did not play cards. and he detest-
ed the politics Of the bar-parlor. From
eight o'clock in the evening he was pre-
pared to devote himself to his wife, either
to read or to play with her; but there was
so much to do; every season brought new
cares; SO that if he read to her she must
constantly be getting up, or going out to
superintend the servants. and when she
had forgotten the correction, and in order
to understand what she heard he had to
repeat it to her.
One morning he met with an old friend
whom he had not seen for many years, and
on his return home to breakfast he said to
his wife as they sat at the table:
MY dear, l am inviting to dinner to-
day an old schoolfellow Of mine. You
need not make any special preparation;
have wine in the cellar, and if you will
you--"
! "But, Heinrich" said she, ''this is the
day must have my washing done really
hope"
Washing !" exclaimed Heinrich, alarm
ed. 81 thought you washed last week,
child"
Yes, but it is almost too much for us,
and with only two servants l cannot get
through. | am sure l work hard enough
| "Mors than enough. dear heart" said
her husband. II have often begged you
to employ one or two women, that this
disagreeable washing might be got out Of
the way quickly, if you will not have it
done out of the house,
Heinrich you have no idea what the
cost would he, nor how it would ruin the
clothes; and then | should not like to
trust my washing to strangers, and have
them constantly about me-"
"But we have strangers continually in
! the house already" said he with o sigh.
Il believe the two old charwemen live
with us; and either one or two of the
seamstresses is in permanent sitting"
You like to have your house clean and
orderly" replied Sophie little piqued.
Wahlborn felt strongly tempted to re-
join, but he did not wish to annoy her, and
contented himself with saying
"Then 1t would not suit you to-day,
dear? ?"
| "No; it really will no:. If had only
known couple of days ago-perhaps we
could invite him on Sunday 3'
"He leaves tomorrow.
THAT is unfortunate, but dare say he
will be here again"
The conversation ended here, and that
day Wahlborn dined with his friend at an
hotel.
The doctor, being skillful surgeon was
called a few days later, to neighboring
town to perform a difficult operation. He
expected to be absent three or four days
that he might have the opportunity Of
watching the result. 1t was so favorable
that without the slightest danger he was
able to leave his patient to the care OF
| little too soon for his wife. The whole
house was under water, not excepting his
own study, in which he again found an
ancient lady. with wet apron, busily en-
gagged soaking the floor. and preparing it
for the subsequent application Of brush
and soap. Outside. the weather was as
unpleasant as possible, cold and stormy,
with driving rain, and the disagreeable
draught swept throught the whole house.
in which there was not comfortable
room to be found. With folded hands he
stood on the threshold, gazing on the
scene of desolation around him.
Heinrich" said his wife, little put
out by his unexpected arrival, II thought
you would have remained two days longer,
and l was congratulatiug myself that you
would find all so nice and clean"
"Yes. my child" said he, signing, land
| was congratulating myself on getting
home so much sooner. but-my dear wife,"
said he interrupting himself, ''don't pour
the whole bucket OF water under the sofa,
for my cigars are there, and am afraid
they will be afioat. And the curtains are
down; why, it is only six weeks since
they were washed
They were as black as SCOT, Heinrich.
That hateful tobacco smoke! l was
ashamed of any of your friends seeing
them"
He made no answer, but with deep
sigh went to the sofa, and drew from under
it his cigar-box, which already stood in
water, and moved it to dry place.
But, Sophie" said he at last. "you will
get your death of cold here. If this must
be done, why don't you keep in your own
room ?"
The paper-hangers are there, dear"
replied his wife. The paper looked so
bad, and your birthday falls next week
We must invite your father and mother
and friends, and should not like them to
find us in such plight. What is it you
are looking for, Heinrich ?"
20, nothing, my child, only book
which left here when went out. 1t was
, a treatise on the disease with which was
\ "a. 4 -
Have you not seen itp 1t must have been
here it was bound in green, and was in
rather defective condition"
20. yes, Heinrich" said Sophie, color
ing little. 1T looked so bad that sent
it to the binders that you might find it
right when you"
Good heavensm exclaimed the young
physician. Have you really sent the
green covered book which was on nv
writing-table, and which contained several
notes and memoranda. to the binder'sr'