Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-08-04

=
II somehow.
The relatives inspected the premises to
their hearts content. They didn't profess
TO care what Charles did, and never med.
died with his affairs, but they all felt in
suited and offended that he hadn't asked
their opinion, and predicted a matrimo.
nial failure. They all agreed they pitied
the wife as she would pity herself after
Charles had practiced his usual neglect
upon her few months.
The day of their coming arrived. /
made myself as presentable as possible for
the sake of my young and handsome
brother
had engaged the services of deft
little housemaid for the future mistress,
and the two of us waited anxiously that
evening to pass our silent judgment upon
the woman who was to rule--Katie in her
way and in mine. The table was nicely
spread in the dining-room and tempting
supper prepared. The tea was in the urn,
and we only waited to hear the carriage
wheels coming up the hill, to pour the
hot water over it.
We were rewarded at last.
Charles introduced me in remarkably
aflectlonate manner, and his little wife re-
sponded in the same tone when greeted
her. AS she walked into the parlor she
twisted her hat off with one hand, twirling
it carelessly about while the other lay low
ingly on her husbands arm. Standing
there under the light, had ample time to
scan her from head to toe. She was a
slight 1.-THE, little woman, Just up to
Charles stalwart shoulder. She was fair,
very fair, with the faintest flush upon her
cheeks, trusting blue eyes and golden hair
My heart misgave me. Next to invad-
ing a multiplied family Charles had COM
mitted the error of selecting one clinging
in her disposition, with no firmness, no
force of character to counteract his way
wardness.
"This is such a cozy, dear little house."
she said, impulsively. DO take me all
over it at once, sister Mary. Charlie says
you arranged it all yourself for us, which
was very nice and kind of you"
Supper is all ready; can you not
wait?'
Anything spoilingH" smiling. eff
not, let us go over the house first
For answer l led her from room to
room. She expressed childish delight
When we entered the dining room, where
the table was spread invitingly, she turned
toward me with tears in her eyes.
How bright everything seems" she
said. " You are very good to me, sister
Mary"
"Then take your seat at the head of
the table, and let us test Katie's Skill"
answered.
She complied, looking so gentle and
pretty as she modestly presided, that a
lump came up in my throat, and l then
and there longed to make voluntary gift
to my brother of some solid advice.
Papa, mamma and the girls would be
quite at peace tonight, did they know
how contented | am sure to be" she SAID
/ fully expected to return to my own
limited quarters next morning. Indeed l
preferred so doing. My solitude was an
old friend, and l did not care to remain
long away from it. But Bessie insisted so
stoutly that should remain few weeks,
and Charles grew so presuming in his re-
marks, that l acquiesced. Observation
had taught me, long before had entered
the age of odd numbers myself, that it
was most comfortable not to live at all
with relations, and not to visit too long.
The best policy was frequent and brief
presentations of myself. Thus was the
welcome ever earnest.
For a'time Charles was the most devoted
of husbands. 1t was " my dear'' and
darling until desperately craved for
good, healthy growl.
Then the novelty wearing away he be-
gan to relapse into his old habits. He
forgot all the commissions for the house
He overlooked the roast for dinner, though
he sacredly promised to order it on his
way down. Then he grew late, later,
latest at meals, and finally overlooked din
ner entirely and came to supper at ten p.
IN. Little Bessie began to droop and grow
moody. She always met his glib excuses
of " business" with forgiving kisses and
smiles, not unmixed with sadness. But
that escaped the bear of fellow. He only
knew she didn't scold. That was too for
eign to her nature to ever be success,
should she resort to that means of alluring
him home. She tried all sorts of attract.
i've and pretty words-I think she cried
once or twice-but all in vain.
One evening we were waiting as usual
Bessie sat before the CRATE poking aim
lessly at the fire, while | sat near her busy
with some mending and listening to the
autumn wind.
d" do wish Charlie would come," she
said.
Z" He will not" I replied, shortly.
" l do not like this way of living" she
went on.
" But it's his way in everything. He
always did 50 and he always will. The
relatives all predicted failure matri-
monially-all through this carelessness of
his"
The blood surged over the fair face for
moment. Then she turned TO me and
said jauntily:
Sister Mary, let us have supper now"
To our surprise, before we were half
through the meal Charles sauntered in. AS
usual, he had been detained, met friend,
had little business with another party"
etc. Charles was at heart generous and
kind, and was always ashamed whenever
he offered his peace offering of polished
excuses.
Bessie was soon on her feet, and had
lifted up her sweet little mouth for the
customary kiss. She did not even look
her reproaches as usual. / was angry
and out of patience. did wish for her
own sake and for Charles future worth
she would be little more decided and
assert her rights.
The next day she went out calling. She
was pretty and girlish enough as she kissed
me good afternoon. Tea time come
apace, but no Bessie Charles overdid
himself and was punctual. We waited
in wonderment. Charles fretted and
frowned. Just as the clock was striking
nine she fluttered in rosy and in the most
exuberant spirits. Dear mel" she eiac-
ulated, shave you been waiting? That's
too bad, now. The fact is, met friend
who was going into the city, and, for
change, | accompanied her. We missed
one train on account of the late arrival Of
ourselves at the depot And we missed
the second because we were enjoying our
selves so much at the Tivoli that we for
got the time"
All this time she had been divesting
herself of her wraps, all unmindful of
Charles sullen fit She walked over TO
him and kissed him, not seeming to OBJ
serve the non return of her afiectionate
salutaton.
Supper was of course somewhat over
done. Charles was accustomed to that
sort of thing but this night he looked
upon it in very bad light.
- It's a shame" !" replied his wife to one
of his fault-fnding speeches; Z" what made
you waltz Never be so silly again"
Supper without youp' CALCULATED
Charles.
81 OF course, when happen TO be out.