Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-08-12
THE HUSBANDS LESSON.

4uc ItuSuS VI Iiic uOoE UcIt HAS u
pleasant sound to me, more particular
" in my idle moods. Like an unopen-
ed letter, there is a mystery about it,
and one waits with pleasurable excite
ment to see what Is coming.
Returning home one day earlier than
usual, found that nv wife had gone
out; and while idly waiting her return
the door bell rang. Iwaited expectant
until Mary appeared with a note, con-
tanning request from my old friend,
George l., to ride out to his resi-
dence in the country the next day, and
to bring my wife with me. Twas much
pleased, not so much OH account of any
pleasure which it might give my wife,
but because I thought I needed days Q
recreation, and in the lovely Summer
time the country has peculiar charms
for me.
But the next morning everything
seemed to 60 wrong. Alice could not
accompany me, and I could not get of
as early as l wished; consequently
was fretful and peevish, and Alice
seemed TO reflect my humor, for she
never seemed so unamiable. At length
however, 1 drove away, though not in a
very pleasant mood. 1t was a lovely
daS: and 40 I rode along, noting the
beauties OF the hndscape, my memory
went back unbidden to the time when
I wooed and won my bride. How
lovely was Alice then l thought
And how happy We were! But tha.
was long ago. No; is it possible, We
have been married only three years
And felt a sharp pang, as l contrasted
the past with the present, to think that
we could settle down into the common
place life we now lead.
We had no. serious trouble; we did
not quarrel; though when felt cross,
or things did not suit me, 1 took nc
pains to conceal it, and often spoke
harshly to Alice, who sometimes replied
in the same spirit, and sometimes with
tears. Yet We were generally :good
friends. Still, the charm, the tender.
ness of our early love had impercepti-
bly, vanished. I had become careless
about my personal appearance at home
and Alice was almost equally negligent
Her beautiful brown hair, which she
wore in the most becoming curls, was
usually brushed plainly behind her ears
unless she was going out or expected
company.
I dismissed the subject with a sigh
as drew up to my friends gate, the
reflection that it was the same with al
married people-must be SO, in fact; 70,
how could romance and sentiment find
a place among so many prosy realities
I suppose We were as happy as any body
and yet it was not the kind Of life that
had looked forward to with SO many
bright anticipations.
Ny friend greeted me with great cor.
diality. In the Hall we met Mrs. l.
looking fresh and lovely in her pinl
muslin wrapper, with her jetty hair i,
tasteful braids. She reproved me play.
fully for not bringing my wife with me
chatted few minutes, and then fitted
away, while my friend led the way te
the library. As we entered the room
noticed a vase of bright flowers on the
table, imparting an air of taste and
cheerfulness to the apartment. made
some remarks about it, to which my
friend responded:
"Yes;- I am very fond of flowers, and
like to see them in the house, and as
spend much time here, my wife alway:
keeps a vase of them on the table al
long as they last"
After dinner we walked out into the
grounds, which were quite extensive
and most tastefully arranged. There
was a variety Of flowers in bloom, and
l noticed that l. selected here and
there the finest, until he had hand.
some bouquet.
When We reached the house Mrs r.
was on the steps. Her husband, st,l
continuing the conversation, gave hel
the flowers with a smile, and holding ur
spray of crimson berries, which she
had broken of. she bent her head while
he fastened it among the dark braids oi
her hair.
It was a trifiing incident, yet Their
manner arrested nv attention. Had
been stranger I would have pronoun.
ced them lovers, instead of sober mar.
ried people. All through the day
noticed the same delicate attention and
Difference in their department to each
other. There was nothing of which ths
most fastidious guest could complain
vet, while showing ine the most cordia
attention they did not isnore each 9th