The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-09-18
Select Storp.
THE WIFE'S REVENGE.

THE WIFE'S REVENGE.
No strawberries What in the world
is the reason you didn't order some p
Exclaimed Edward Lester, as he entered
his pleasant home in the suburbs Of Bos-
ton. aYou know, Maria, am very fond
of them, aud you are determined to punish
me in some way it you can.
"Punish you, Edward +? What do you
talk so for p returned the wife, sweet
little woman, full of beauty and grace.
"You know like them very much, y
added the petulant husband
But they taste too strongly of the
money"
Come, come, Maria, no more Of Poor
Richards saws. am heartily sick Of
them"
"You would not have me- pay sixty
cents a box for strawberries, would you p
"Why not z"
" 1t is too much"
"No, it isn't
You cannot afford it,
Yes, | eau. Isn't my salary fifteen
hundred year2'
| do not think strawberries at 60 cents
box, are very profitable" replied the
pretty wife, with pleasant smile.
Edward Lester did not deserve such q
beautiful, sweet-tempercd wife as Maria.
But in spite Of his petulant manner, he
was really an excellent fellow, and loved
the pretty little woman with all his soul,
though it is true he had very singular
way Of showing it. He deserved thrash.
ing for his hasty words, yet, as he event.
ually learned better, it is not worth while
to dwell too long upon the dark side Of h is
character.
The fist year after his marriage he had
boarded, but desiring to have the comforts
of home in all their purity, the young
couple had decided to go to housekeeping.
Edward would have hired large house
at rent Of four hundred dollars year,
ifhis wife had not persisted that such a
dwelling would wear her life out He
then left the matter entirely to her, and
she found nice little cottage seven miles
from the city, at rent of one hundred
aud fifty. The husband liked il very
we'll aud Maria furnished it in very neat
but plain style.
They were at home now, and for awhile
the novelty of the thing kept Edward in
excellent humor. But he was a reckless
fellow, and had no idea whatever of the
value Of money. He always spent oil his
salary, and sometimes little more.
Edward was out of humor because he
had no strawberries, and when he sat
down to the table the tea was too weak,
the bread tasted Of saleratus, and the but
Der was strong. He snarled and growled
iirst at Maria, and then at Bridget, till the
wife was almost discouraged But she
did not yield to the impulse of the mo
mont and get cut of temper. She kept
smiling, however cutting and severe came
lha o..t.o;..y. - H.. l.,ak.n1
After tea he was little Modified, for
there seemed to be nothing more to grum
bic ut, and even eondescended to smile
Edward, | want fifty dollars to-mor-
row. said Maria.
This was rather remarkable request
for the careful little woman to make, for
she was very prudent in regard to her
private expenses.
Certainly Maria" replied Edward, II
hope you are going to buy new silk
~ am
He handed her the money, and hoped
she would dress herself great deal better
than before, for he could afford it.
:" am going to spend as much money
as | can" she replied.
That's right, Maria, do" added the
reckless husband And Edward soon had
reason to repent this advice, for Maria
seemed now to spend all her spare time
in asking for money. He was too reck-
less, or too magnanimous to deny her or
to suggest that she was exceeding the
bounds Of reason.
She was mindless in her drafts upon
him, and 70 supply her demands, for he
had not the courage to refuse her modest
requests, he was obliged 10 curtail his own
private expenses, On several occasions
he had been obliged to borrow money TO
meet her acquisitions upon his purse, and
being an honest man he had 10 cut of
many Injuries in order to meet these
loans.
What had got into Maria She was
cxtrayagaut, and yet she did not seem to
be dressed much better, or bis house 10