The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-06-20
A HERO, OR A HEROINE {?
CHAPTER TX.
STUDY OF HUMAN NATURE.

CHAPTER TX.
STUDY OF HUMAN NATURE.
A month had gone, Margaret was astonished
to find how quickly. She was oontented and
happy interested, too, in her various occupa-
tions, and, except for missing Jessie's sympa-
thy and companionship, feeling NO regret for
her former life Such q state of thinga would
have been impossible, had she not been utterly
wearied with the whirl of gayety and the ac-
cumulation of engagements which seemed to
her unavoidable while she remained in New
York. But the complete change was reviving
to her, and, as she said, che had taken mp the
study of human nature, which really meant
that she had become interested in one person,
and that person was Dr.. James. She saw him
q good deal for he came freely to Miss Spell
man's house, he had taken her sleign riding,
accompanied her on expeditions in search of
cossting or skating, played chess with her,
ana isn't her books. ~ y - 81
i Since that occasion, on their firse drive to
Sealing, when "the mistress Of poor mans
household" had been alluded to, that ideal
person was frequently spoken Of with oonsid-
cradle enjoyment of the joke by both parties,
and once Margaret had asked him outright,
what he would consider necessary accomplish
ments in suoh Q person.
~ don't know that q poor doctors wife
would differ from the wife of any other poor
man." he had answered her. 4 have in my
mind q woman not afraid of work, not requir-
ing amusement or excitement, able TO do her
own work; you see 1 cay sb1s-not that 1
would object to her having o servant, or per-
haps two; but she should understand and be
able to explain and direct all the domestic ar.
rapgements of the house. She should wait on
herself; therefore her dress should be plain
and simple. Especially should she know how
to cook and sew, to market we'll, and to be
considerate and cheerful to her servants.
Then, as concerns my professional business,
should think a slight acquaintance with sim
pie medicines and remedies, and where they
are kept in the shop, in case of emergency,
would be useful fortitude to bear the sight of,
and even to suffer, pain and sickness, so as to
set q good example; and, to sRm up cool
head, steady hand, and presence of mind"
When DR.. James had ended this minute de-
scription, he was struck by the extent Of his
and as Margarets eye met his,
they both laughed heartily, and though at the
time she made no comment on his ideal poor
mans wife, she often alluded TO her virtues
afterward, before other peopee, who, of eourse,
could not understand what she meant, while
the doctor, she waS delighted to see, was
slightly embarrassed and at loss for reply.
Margaret had seen. q little of the Sealing
society at few tea-parties, which aimed at
being 80 genteel that they were insufferably
stiff and drowsy. Margaret longed to do some
thing to wake up the young men, who, dressed
in their BEST with the stiHest of collars and
the most surprising crsvsts, sat with folded
hands and feet placed close together, help
lessly, just where they happened to be put
without daring to do more than assent in ss
few words as possible to the stream of conver-
consider it the business of the evening to en-
tertain them. She very nearly proposed
" blind mans buff" on one occasion, but her
courage failed her at the last moment; she
thought it would be q hopeless undertaking to
attempt to infuse life and activity into such
frozen figures. At last, one young woman,
named Mary searle, gave a small party, and
had the independence to propose playing
games and when Margaret warmly seconded
the movement and set the example by suggest
ing "fox and geese" she was astonished to
behold everybody become at once natural and
merry. The young men were metamorphosed,
forgot their feet and hands, and performed
wonders of agility. 1t dawDed upon Margaret
that all this restraint must have been occa-
stoned wholly by her presence, and she did her
best to dispel all respect for "city ways" by
showing that she could romp with the mer-
riest. The evening ended with Virginia'reel'
and from that time the ice was broken, and
Margaret saw the people in their Pleasantest
light-without atectation, simple, kindly, and