The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1875-12-02

Z Lima ruled Herbert's home with rod
o. iron. Herbert began TO experience
a sick longing for Essie's gentle pres
i ebce. Lima took him 80 very literally
/ in all he said, and yet he could not
/ rebuke her for doing exactly what he
only wished.
A chair with 2 tiny spot of dirt be-
ing declared absolutely filthy, was up
holstered and vanished at cost OF
eight dollars. A dozen new shirts,
Essie's last labor Of love, being said
to "set like meal-bags," were testOw-
ed upon the gardener, and new set
sent from the furnishing store. Har'
lIy's blocks were burned in the kitchen
fire when Herbert stepped upon one,
said he "wOuld not have such rubbish
in the house" Every. window was
opened after q pettish declaration that
'fthe room was as hot as an oven ;" an
hour later the stove fired up to a
smothering heat because he declared
it ''eold enough to freeze polar
bear"
4 In short, with apparently an ener-
getic attempt to correct all shortcOm-
lings and put the housekeeping upon a
perfect basis, Lima, in one mouth,
nearly doubled her hrOthersi ex-
penses and drove him to the verge
Of distraction, keeping actual ae-
count of every complaint.
But Essie, well and strong again,
was coming home. On the day OF her
expected arrival, Lima, with solemn
| face invited her brother into the sit
| ting-rOOm for few moments Of pri-
Vate conversation.
"Herbert," she said gravely,"I have
"a proposition to make to you. 1t has
really grieved me to the heart to see
how much there Is to find fault with
in your beautiful home"
Herbert twisted uneasily In his
chair ; but Lima continued
"You know that mother is very de-
pendent upon me, Louie having the
house and children TO care for, but 1
think she would sacrifice her own
comfort for yonrs. So if you wish,
Herbert, [ viii come here permanent
ly, to keep things in order for you"
Here Lima was Obliged to pause and
strangle laugh at Herbert's express
sion of utter horror and dismay.
"YOu are very kind" he faltered.
the instincts Of q gentleman bathing
with the strong desire to tell Lima she
would certainly drive him into a lu-
natic asylum by six months more Of
her model housekeeping. -.
mot at all. I A man who has made
an unfortunate marriage certainly
needs sll the aid aud sympathy his
family can give him.. .frt I'd
The last straw was laid on the cam
ePs back. Herbert spoke hotly: "You
are entirely mistaken, LinaI i have
not made an unfortunate marriage. II
ever a man was blessed in q wife, /
am that man." u ffl tE-t
"You amaze me-" Lima cried, in a
well-feigned astOnishment.
al should not see why you should
be surprised. Essie is gentle, loving,
8 model mother, and q perfect home
angel-God bless herr 1o
.Herbert, is that true?"
Certainly it is true"
"I can not believe it," was the slow
response.
"Cannot believe it? Why >"
"Because"--and Lins dwelt impress
lively on the word-''during the nine
years OF your married lie, though WIS.,
iting here frequently, / never heard
HOu OuC nOlQ Vi
or praise to Essie. never saw one
look Of appreciation or appreciation OF
any effort she made for your comfort,
upon your face. Continual fault-fnd-
ing, constant blame have changed her
from happy, wInsou1e girl, to a pale,
careworn woman. Even her last ILL
ness was but the unbroken despair Of
a heart crushed under load of daily
censure and constant striving for the
appreciation never gwen. And you
tell Ee now she has never failed to do
her duty to you. There is a grave er-
ror somewhere" ~
The sadly earnest tone. the face of
thoughtful gravity, sent every. word
home to Herbert Worthington's heart.
He spOkesno word of self defense as
Lima slowly left the room. In the
profound silence that followed, con-
science revived the past, and he knew
that his sister had spoken only the
truth. This habit of fault finding
meeting no resistance to Essie's gen.
tleness, had gained in force, till all its
monstrosity stood revealed in the ex-
perience of the past month.
In the days when Essie lay danger
ously i'll, there had been no self-re-
proach like this in her husbands sOr-
row, He bad given his wife fair
home, an ample income, frequent So
cial pleasure, many costly gifts, and
loved her faithfully, while poisoning
her whole life. -.-
'God help me-" he whispered, ITO
conquer this fault. -Essie shall hear
no more fault-finding, 1 will send her
to her mother and have Lima back.n
Never had wife and mother q warm
er welcome than greeted Essie. The
children were unchecked in their loud
est demonstrations OF delight. But
Lima had to rush into the hall to hide
her merry eyes, when Herbert, kiss
ing Essie, said:
1--WE must let mother have Lima
now, dear. She has been very kind,
and worked hard for my comfort but
there is no home fairy like my Essie. I"
The quick, glad look in his wife's
soft eyes told Herbert that one step
had been taken in the right direction.
As the days glided by, and Essie found
appreciation meeting. every effort to
add to home comfort, word of praise
for every little triumph of cookery or
needle work, her pale face grew bright
with untold happiness. Gradually
the careworn expression was obliters-
ted by one of sweet content, and Her
bert found his own heart lightened by
the cheerful voice, the sunny smile,
the bright eyes of the Essie he had
wooed years before.
And Lima made a visit six months
later, told her mother on her return
Herbert learned his lesson by heart
mother. He appreciates Essie now
at her value, and lets her know it."