The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1874-08-07
M iSc eIIaneou 8 =.
NOBODY BUT JOHN.

Some one is coming" said I, as the
clack of the shutting gate fell on my cars,
and looked at Maggy's soied, untidy
dress, and tumbled hair.
Maggy started, and glanced hastily from
the window; then sat down again in care
less way, remarking as she did So
"It's nobody but John"
Nobody but John! And who do you
think that nobody was9 Only her hus-
band.
Nobody but john
A few moments afterwards John Fair
burn came into the room where we were
sitting, and gave me one Of his frank, cor
dial greetings. | had known him for many
years, and long before his marriage. no.
ticed that he gave an annoyed glance at
his wife, but did not speak to her. The
meaning Of this annoyance and indifference
was plain to me; for John had come of a
neat and tidy family. His mothers house
keeping had always been notable. She was
poor; but as slime and water are to be had
for nothing,"-t was one of her sayings
she always managed to have things about
clean and ord;rly.
Maggy Lee had pretty face, bright eyes
and charming little ways that were very
taking with the young men, and so was
quite a belle before she got out of her teens
She had knack of fixing her ribbons, OIL
tying her scarf, or arranging her hair
shawl or dress in a way to give grace and
charmao her person. None but her most
| intimate friends knew of the untidiness that
pervaded her room and person when al
| home and away from common observation
Poor John Fairburn was taken in when
| he married Maggy Lee. He thought thai
he was getting the tidiest, neatest, sweetest
and most orderly girl in town, but discov'
cred too soon that he was united to a care
| less slattern. She could dress for Other
peoples eyes, because she had natural love
of admiration but at home, and for hel
husband, she put on any old dud, ant
went looking often alike the old scratch,
as the saying is.
On the particular occasion of which
am speaking-it was after she and John hat
been married over a year-her appearance
was almost disgusting. She did not have
on even morning dress only faded an(
tumbled chintz sack above soiled skirt
no collar-slippers down at the heels, ant
dirty stockings. Her hair looked like ,
hurrah's nest, if any one knows what tina
isl don't; but suppose it is the perfec
ton of disorder. No one could love sucl
a looking creature That was simply i'm
possible.
"Nobody but John" looked at tn
bright, handsome young man and wonder
ed He ate his dinner almost in silence
and then went back to work had ncve
seen him so moody.
"What's come over John ?" | asked a
he went out.
ooh, | don't know" his wife answered
"Something wrong at the shop, I suppose
He's had trouble with one ofthe men. He
foreman you know"
"Are you sure it's only that ?" l asked
looking serious
That, or something about his work
There's nothing else to worry him."
was silent for awhile, debating wit
myself whether good or harm would com
of little plain talk with Johns wife. Sh
was rather quick tempered, knew, an,
easy to take offence. At last venture,
the remark: maybe things are not jus
10 his liking at home"
"At homer Maggy turned on me wit
flash of surprise in her face. "What d
you mean r.
"Men like beauty, and taste, and neat
ness in their wives as well as in thei
sweethearts," l said.
The crimson mounted to her hair. A
the same moment l saw her glance at
looking glass that hung opposite to her o
the wall. She sat very still, yet with
startled look in her eyes, until the ilus
faded and her face became almost pale.
"Maggy," said /, rising and drawing m
arm around her, "comc up stairs. hov
something very serious to say to YOU"
We walked from the little dining-rool
and upto her room in silence. then sale
"Maggy, want to tell you about dea
friend of mine who made shipwreck {
happiness and life. 1t is sad story but
am sure it will interest you deeply. ST.
was my cousin; and her name WAS"
Maggy bent forward, listening attentiv,
ly. "What 2" she asked as hcsitated o
the name.
"Helen."
mot Helen White, who married job
Harding, and was afterward deserted l.
her husband z"
Eyes; my poor, dear Cousin Helen.
is of her am going to tell YOU"
~ never knew why her husband went @
as he did" said Maggy. "Somc said
was to blame, and some put all the fault G
her. How was it ~
"Both were to blame; but she most"
replied, "John Harding was, like your hu
band, one of the neatest and most orderly
!. men. Anything untidy in his home, or
, the person of his wife, annoyed and ottt
put him out of humor; but he did not,
he should have done, speak plainly to Ii
wife, and let her see exactly how he fe
and in what he would like change.