Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-11

From the Galaxy.
JOHN WEIGHS WIFE.

tfeSt uniaSnlOQaDle quarters OF Inllduei-
phia, and her house was the most attrac-
tive in It, There were trees and foun-
tain in front, and wisteria trailing its
purple blossoms up over the white marble
and brick and through the open windows
you caught a glimpse of lace curtains, pic
lures, and flowers. "And there's not a
better kept house in the city," she thought
with SIGH as she neared the gate. 1t
was always in neat, delicate order, and
the table was daintily set forth whenever
John chose to bring friend home. Johns
income was large enough for them to live
in easy comfort, and it needed but three or
four hours of work day for him to earn
It, His wifes eyes grew still more troub-
led as she opened the gate of the front
yard. "He ought to be satisfied she SAID
to herself, as Jenny came toddiing down
the path to meet her, all white embroidery
and blue ribbons. Her mother held her
tightly by the hand, gave her spasmodlc
kiss, ran up to her own room, and walked
straight to the glass, looking at the neat
partridge-like figure and good-tempered,
sensible face.
There is no reason why he should not
be satisfied" she said tartly, nodding to
herself in the glass. The tears stood in
gloves, folded them up carefully, and be-
gan to dress for dinner. The neat black
silk showed every curve of her pretty fig
ure. The lace ruffles at her wrists and
throat were yellow with age and quality
Mrs. Winnifred was connoiseur in
lace.) Her shining hair lay in satiny
folds. She had been down to see that the
soup, the roast fowl, the pudding, each
-, to- I,,f bn Hoo Ell,
turned the gas down, and cut and folded
ready for Mr.. Welch, beside his easy chair.
hold more complete home to welcome
for him there. If he chose to be discon-
tented with either love or home, it was
sheer rebellion against Providence.
She sat down to wait; got up, took out
feather buster, hidden for her own use in
closet, whisked at the bronze candelabra,
put it away, and seated herself again
There was Mr.. Welch's step in the YES
tibule, his latch-key turning in the lock-
She waited inside the library door, her
cheeks red, painting little. 1t was so
many evenings since he had come home
in time for dinner-sometimes had not
old times were coming back? But she did
not run out to meet him; she always
waited for him just foot or two inside
the library door.
John WEIGH was coming home in time,
with something of the feeling of the prodi-
gal son. He had stopped outside strange
ing or swine," as his wife would have
5,,kk ol .a furr
of virtue that brought him in; and now
he wanted little applause,
stimulant of some sort--as a reward. Ii
Winny had even scolded viciously or cried
it would have given relish to the dinner.
But she kissed him OH either cheek. with
the same decorous little peck which she
had given him since their wedding day.
You are quite chilly, DEAR" she said
ut really feels like frost. Any news to-
day for your little wiley P"
Mr.. Welch replied no. that there was no
news, and that it did feel like frost very
much indeed He was grave courteous
man, mindful of the feelings of others
habitually; the vagabond blood within
that drove him to "riotous living or swine"
had needed strong temptation to bring it
Quit ran through depths which Winfred
had never sounded He took up the pa
per and began to read. She had laid the
paper there for him to read; yet her heart
wrenched her with sharp pang as he did
it. He must know how bitter his neglect
had been to her. If he loved her. he
would have some word of apology-some
little sign that he did know. and was sor-
nv; but she made no sign-took out her
tatting (she always tatted in the parlor;
- mir f., prt0 of
and gave little chirping answers to the
bits Of information about the Ross case or
church scandals which he read aloud.
II am SO thankful" she said at last,
THAT my childhood was passed in a vii
lage where those new fashioned ideas of
saffinities' and divorces were never heard
Of. Almost every woman in Springville
was a member of the church. You re-
member, dear ?"
"Oh, yes, / remember them" drily.
They were insured to dwell in decencies
forever, undoubtedly
Little Mrs. Welch's heart was full. 1t
was in Springyile that John had courted
and married her. Had he forgotten?
1.-The way OF living there was SO order
ly and pious,' she chartered on. "When
two young people were engaged they
were looked upon as almost married. |
never knew an engagement broken in
Springville: and as for marriage hus-
bands and wives grew old together with
out Earring word. The only couple who
ever disagreed was Sims. the drunken
cobbler, and his Wife,"
"A veritable Acadia" said Mr. Welch
gravely. Come; dinner is served, my
dear"
1t had been his habit when they were
first married to fondly require an account
from her at night of every minute of the
day. The poor little woman, in her
anxiety to entertain him, began to give it
now as usual.
You don't ask what your little busy
bee, has done to-day to improve the shin
ing hours dearP"
II shall be very glad to hear. But,
Winifred, could you not rid yourself of
that habit of making trite quotations? A
quotation should have novelty and wit to
give it edge, and really you have worn
Watts hymns threadbare."
There was sudden choking in his wife's
throat. She half rose to her feet; the
food Of passionate reproaches which had
filled her heart SO long, trembed on her