Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-10-03
MIscELLANEouS. =
TIE REASON WHY.

-
a-r
Sc Attic" said Mr. 6 raham to his wife, as
~ the door closed upon their visitor, II
do wish you would be more cheerful. You
hardly spoke while Cousin Frank was here.
and looked for all the world as though some
dreadful calamity was about to befaIl YOU. II
you have any regard Tor my feelings, do try
be more like folks"
Mrs. Graham's head bent lower over the
little half finished dress upon which she was
working; but she made no reply. She was
evidently accustomed to such remarks Pres
emily, bursting into tears, she rose and ler,
the room.
"Pshaw - said her husband, as with con
tcmptuous smile he looked after her; THAT'S
always the way. You must speak to woman
j"st so, or shell begin to snvel l say. Kate"
addressing his sister, brght.eyed, wide>
awakc-'ooking woman of some thirty years, Il
used tothink that women were almost angels
but / We come to the conclusion that they are
about as full OF faults as VIC poor devils are"
amused expression on Mrs. Lyman's face
was her only answer
Mr.. Graham sat for some minutes in moody
silence, and then said, reaching Tor his hat
as he spoke: Come. sis, let's 90 over to
Uncle Johns, we'll be to fad smiling
faces there. and can manage, perhaps, to pass
an evening very PLEASANTLY It's a pity that
fellow cant take some comfort at home"
1t was after considerable hesitation that
Mrs. Lyman replied.
'WeII, Charley, just wait until Bcrtic's
jacket is done, for he IS very anxious to wear
1t to school tomorrow aud then, if Nellie is
sslccp''-giancing at the cradle, where lay
the six-months old baby-"I'll 60 with you "
As the clock struck seven the little gar
ment was finished, aud was placed by the kind
aunt where BERTHE cond not fail to see it when
lie first awokc in the morning. Baby was now
Soundiy sleeping. aud Mrs Lyman, after put
ting on her hat and shawl, stepped to the door
ct her sisters Tonm and said. Matte, we are
going to Uncle Johns We shall not be alb
sent long; but do not sit up for us unless you
choose to-"
Very we'll, was the reply, but tho tone In
which the words were uttered told plainly that
the speaker took but little interest in what
was going on about her.
Now Charley" said Mrs Lyman, as soon
as they were fairly in the street Il shouldn't
have consented to come with You tonight.
were it not that wanted, as Aunt Hannah
used TO say, to give you good big piece Of
my mind u"
Why, what for, Kate? What crime am
| guilty Off"
"Ihe crime of destroying your own happi-
ness. and the happiness Of those dearest to
you."
What DO you mean? What can you
mean Z"
81 think. Charley you spoke very harshIy
20 poor Matte tonight. could almost have
cried with her"
"Pcrhaps | was rather cross but. Kate
that woman tries my patience dreadfully
n i
and disconsoa;e though she had not
friend in the world"
There must be cause for it,"
yes, l suppose but think it would puz
z'e n lawyer to fiud out the cause.
Don't you remember when she was other.
wise?"
don't remembery l think do There
wasn't as pretty girl for miles around as.
Matte Staudish was was proud OF her in
my courting-days"
Yes well remember what devoted lover
you were. Our garden was robbed Of its
choicest flowers to be made into bouquets for
Matte. If fruit or confectionery were sent
from the city, the very incest was selected for
that same Matte. The latest magazines and
papers were found on her table, placed there
by my brother Charley In short, nothing
was too good for her"
That's 50, Kate; and those were Jolly
times. l wonder if Matte has forgotten
them ="
Without heading his lat remark. Mr..
Lyman continued: Il had beautiful rose
tree at home, Charley that was given me by
a dear friend As long as | watered it aud
tended it carefully it repaid me with many
fragrant, beautiful blossoms but after it had
been in my possession a few months, | am
sorry to say. shanIeiuIly neglected it, Some
times, for days together, did not go near it
II faded aud dropped. Irenewed my care of
't-but it was too late. Ny rose-tree died,
and learned lesson. Take care, CbsrIsYS
that your Matte does not share the fate Of
my rose. She has peculiarly sensitive ma
ture, and will DOT bear neglect any more than
tender plant will"
But Kate Matte knows that love her
as well as ever did"
Nv hat reason has she TO think so2 I was
reading not long since Of gentleman who
had visited in great many famiies and
among them all, he had found but very few
really happy ones The cause of the uubap-
pine-s. he said. was not 50 much the want of
/ love as the ,ramf nj cnrc In monLfesfh That
| is just where the trouble lies If man
! should tell you that yOu did not love your
wife and children, you would be tempted to