Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-12-12
A successful matr:monial Lecture.


Afler having been married some weeks, It
came into the head OF yoang husband one
Sunday, when be had hu, li,i!e 10 occupy hiS
mind 10 suggest TO his wife tha, they should
plainly and honestly state ,he faults that each
had discovered in the other since they hal
been man and wife. After some hesitation
the wife agreed to the proposition, but s,ipu-
lated that the rehearsal should be made in all
sincerity and with an honest view to the bet
terins Of each other as otherwise it wouli be
of no use TO speak Of the faults to which mar
rage had opened their eyes. The husband
was Of the same mind, and his wife asked him
70 begin with her faults. He was somewhat
reluctant, but bis wife insisted that he was the
first to propose the matter, ani as he was at
the head of the house il was his place to tako
the lead Thus urged be began the recital.
lie said:
"My dear, one Of the frs, faults observed
in you after we began keeping house was that
YOU a good deal neglected tho tiaware. Noh
didn't keep it secured as bright as it should
be. Ny mother always took great pride IN
her tinware and kept i, as bright as a dollar
lam glad You mentioned i, dear, said the
wife. blushng lttlei " hereafter You shall
see no speck on cup or pan Pay proceed.
81 have oitea observed" said the husband,
"that you often use your dish-mgs long iimo
without washing them, aud then finally throw
them away. Now. when a, home | remember
that my mother always used TO wash out her
dsh-rags when she was done usiug them. and
then hang them mp where they would dry,
ready for the next time she would need them"
Blushing as before, the young wife promis-
Ell to amend this fault.
The husband continued with a most formil-
able list Of similar faults, many more than We
have space TO enumorate, when be declared
that he could think Of nothing more that was
worthy Of mention.
"Now," said he, "my dear. you begin and
tell me all the faults You have observed in mo
since we have been married"
The young housewife sat 10 silence her face
flushed to the temples. aod great lump came
In her throat, which she seemed to be striving
hard 10 swallow
Proceed, my dear; tell me all the faults
YOU have observed in me, spariug nonel'
Arising suddenly from her seat, the little
wife burst into tears. aud throwing both arms
about her husbands neck, cried
my dear husband, you have not fault in
the world. If you have even one, nay eyes
have been so blinded by my love for you that
as long as we have been married | have never
once observed it. In my eyes you are perfect,
aud all that you DO seems 10 uo u be done IN
the best manner aud just what saould be
done"
"But. my dear" said the husband, his face
redlenug aud bis voice growing husky with
emotion, Just think have gone and found
all manner Of fault with you Now do tell
me some of my faults know have many
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 a single fault that can see. What
ever you DO seems righ, in nay eyes, aud now
that know what good .:or-nothing litilo
wretch | am, shall at once begin the work Of
reform aud try to make myself more worthy
of you"
Nonsense my dear, you know sometimes
90 away and leave you without any wood
cut; stay up town when ought TO be at
home; spend my money lor drinks and ci-
gars when / ought to bring it home to you
Il"
"No, you dout." cried his wife "you do
nothing Of the kind ike to see you enjoy
yourself; should bo unhappy were you to DO
otherwise than just exact as you do"
"God bless you, it'll, wifel" cried the now
snbiugatcd husband; from this you have not
faul, in the world Indeed you never had
a fault; was but jokiog-dopt remember a
word | said !" aud he kissed away the tears
that still trembled IN the little woman's eyes.
Never again did the husband scrutiuize tho
tinware nor examine tie dish-rag-neyer 50
much as mention one Of the faul;s be bad emu
mera,cd but soon after the ueighboring wom-
en- were wont q say
"It is wonderful how neat Mrs.--keeps
everything about her house. Her tinware is
always As bright as new dollar; and ! do
believe she not only washes but irons her dish
ragsw And the ueigbboriog men were heard
to say; VIVA, a steady fellow Mr. has
got to be Of late; be don't spend dime where
be used to spend dollars, aod can neger DO
kept from home bali an hour when be Is not
a, work. He seems almost 10 worship bis
wife"
Two Irshmen, lately landed, were boarding
AZ hotel where they were sorely troubled