Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-07-12
Aunt Huldah's Way.

:" declare this is too bad, James; Just as
had got through with my sweeping and
dusting, you come in with mud enough on
your boots to fill dust-pan. I'm sure it
would provoke saint"
Cant help it, Can't take my boots of
out doors"
No, indeed, You can't and you needn't
But you can scrape off the mud, and YOU
can be careful of your steps till you change
your boots"
was spending week or two with my
niece, and the above colloquy was in my
presence James was a kind husband; Pm
sure be loved his wife, and would not pur-
posely cause her needless step. But he
was careless. lie would come in with bust
ness so engrossing his thoughts that he
scarcely knew that he had entered the house
until he was spoken to, or stumbled over a
chair OF cricket, or did something that called
forth a quick rebuke from his wife.
Little by little this loving wife and hus
band had come TO have many family jars
too many for peace and comfort. James
thought home was a place where he could
throw off all restraint. II didn't matter
whether he left his hat on the rack or din
ing-table. If he pleased TO tum everything
topsy-turvy, why, that was home freedom.
Harriet was Just as sure that this was her
kingdom. 1t was for her to decide every
thing even TO the peg james should hang
his hat on, and the time and manner Of his
entertaining his friends. If he forgot this
right, and With the cordial grasp of an old
friends hand, said, "Come and dine with
as to-day it was fortunate, indeed if he
did not regret his impulsiye corliality.
Rarely did he escape an open rcproof for not
informing his wife that she would have a
guest at dinner. She had much TO Try her
patience. She was scrupulonsly neat. Her
housekeeping was her pride, and James
made it harder than he knew. At first she
had been proud to show her husbands
friends her skill. Then she grew over-nice
and was very exacting of him. and his easy
ways were looked upon as personal aifrouts
until she began TO delight in inserting a
covert sting in many q remark which sounded
well enough to all but the ears OF her hus-
band
Sometimes | could see the glitter of the
hidden point, and knew that Harriet was lay
ing up sorrow for herself. But what could
do Z 1t is a serious matter to interlneddle
with matrimonial Misunderstanding. But
could not leave this home without an effort
to turn their feet into the better way.
One bright day James invited me TO ride
with him to neighboring village. ! sug-
gested that Harriet should go with us.
{" No, indeed" she tartly replied, "James
would never think TO ask me to ride"
She was sorry the minute she had spoken
for her rudeness. | saw it, and took no
notice of what was only intended for her
husband. The drive was pleasant one. !
enjoyed the beautiful scenery, the bird-music,
everything until noticed that James was
nervous and pysoccupied. Then suspected
that this ride had been planned only to afford
! an opportunity for a "talk." ] kept silent.
" What am | to do, Aunt Iluldah p he
asked, abruptly.
"Do 2" replied, letting my thought meet
his without any pretense of not understand
ing him. 81 think you must do little
more as you used to before you were married"
James looked me squarely in the face, and
calmly returned his gaze.
81 don't understand YOU" he said.
an explain. ] will speak plainly toyou,
now you have asked me-"
saw him vince, as ii he feared lecture,
instead of getting the help he sought
"Well."
al know what you mean. You and liar
riet are travelling over a pretty rough road.
| see no way but for you to talk with her
about it, Just as you would have done about
any misunderstanding before marriage. If
you cannot agree to help each other remove
! the stones or walk hand in hand around
them, You have an unnviting future. That
is all can say about it,
Again we rode on in silence. We entered
the village, but james drove straight through
and on into the country beyond before he
spoke word