Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-05-31

sence. In case there was nothing else, tn
crotchet or tatting needle filed mp all in
tervals.
Abominable crochct-horrid tattng,
Frank would say to himself until all tn,
paraphefnalia Of tides and lampmats, wall
baskets and sofa pillows, became inexpress
lbiy odious TO him. If Mary would onl,
Knit up the raveled sleeve Of care which
bring home daily. with kind personal atten
tions-if she would give me herself. and lei
me rest my weary head ON her heart NC
dolbt She loves me. but that love doesn't
satisfy me want sympathy; ! want hei
10 60 with me above these low-hunr skies of
care and petty ambition into the clear light
OF those early, happy days, when We read
and talked So much together
otlrrm co.
\ year or two after the opening of our
story, Mrs, Mewin, worn with constant con
hnement, accepted the invitation Of an old
sohoolmate, and taking Minnie went to Yer
mont 20 pass the warm days Of summer
The other children remained at home with
q tired housekeepcr who wonld he sure Ia
look after them carefully. Frank mad his
club, aud would occasionally come TO Yer
mont and pass the Sabbath during Mrs
Merwin's stay lie had known Mr. hanks
the husband Of his wife's friend, in former
days, and had professional interchanges oi
courtesy and business with him, as they wer,
both lawyers, but hitherto there had been nc
visiting between the families.
On her arrival at her friends house. Mrs
Merwin was most cordially received, and
made TO feel quite at home. The years that
had separated them since they left school
dwindled into nothing. aud they soon We're
nierchanging thought and feeling as ia long
years before, when they walked arm in arm
about the playground Of the old academy,
or rambled in the park adjoining IT, Both
had children whom they loved and were
proud Of both had indulgent and intellect
nal husbands; both had beautiful homes.
But Mrs. Merwin was not slow TO perceive,
as they sat together sewing, in the cool morn.
lngs that her friend was far above her in
sweep Of thought and grasp Of intellect.
She was mortified that Of many subjects
that came up naturally in the course Of con-
versation she was quite ignorant, and though
She could talk fucnily in regard To- carpets
and curtains, embroideries aud dress-the
latest discoveries Of science: the latest
achievement of art the last new books, she
knew absolutely nothing about, aud was
dumb when they were mentioned How did
Mrs Banks manage TO keep up with the age,
and she so far behind it Their children
We're nearly the same IN number; their
household cares not widely different; their
husbands IN the same profession. Here was
a mystery, aud she watched for its solution.
She noticed that at night the young chill
dren were put To- bed early, before Mr.
Banks came home, so that the house was
quiet for though men who have worked
with their muscles all day may love to frolic
with their little ones when they come home
men whose brains have been taxed during
all the business hours of the day enjoy the
most perfect stiffness, and require IT, She
noticed too, that the sewiugmachine, the
work basket, even the knitting work, was in
visible after nightfall, and however awry or
difficult the household arrangements had
been during the day, nothing but serenity
and cheerfulness shone in the evening par
lors. While those of the children who were
permitted to appear at the table amused
themselves IN the dining-roun read quietly
in the parlor, Mr.. and Mrs. Banks gave
Themselves wholly to themselves and their
guest. The news of the DAY was discussed,
the last new book reviewed or some impor-
tant discovery rehearsed, while at intervals
the conversation dropped into that pleasant
small talk which makes up so much Of social
interchange. Occasionally they passed the
evening at concert or prayer-meeting, but
MIR. Banks was never at the club, and rarely
away from home after nightfall.
Many sad msgivings had Mrs. Merwin as
she contrasted the perfect mutual inter
change between the husband and wife whose
guest she was, and her life with her hus-
band and as she reviewed the years, little
by little light dawned upon her mind She
saw how gradually she had allowed unneces-
sary industries to enoroach ON time that
might so much better have been devoted to
intellectual culture. What availed il now
that Mollie and Henry and Willie had been
so elaboatoy dressed in their babyhood
II they had worn PLAN attire, instead OF
that ON which She had spent so much time
and thought, how many hours she might
have given to reading aud keeping up with
her husband To be sure, her parlors were
exquisitey onamented with variety Of
fancy work wrought 10y her hands; hut
when she listened to the utterances Of her
friends, rich as they were with the varied
accumulaions Of those intellectual treasures,
the law Of whose existence is increment, she
felt poor indeed in all the resources most
earnestly to be desired. Was it not posi-
BILE that She and Frank might he all to each
other, what these two friends We're 2 At any
rate, she would talk with Mrs. Banks and find
out. il She could, Just how she had so per-
fectly won and kept her husbands heart. and
how, with all the cares of a growing family,
she had managed to keep her mind bright
and full
80 one day as they sat together, she intro
duced the subject cautiously, lest Mrs, Banks
might suspect that she and Frank were not
so near 10 each other as they might be.
don see where you get so much time
To- read aud md out everything, said Mrs
Merwin you seem to he as fresh rs If
you mad but Just left school, while have for
gotten almost everything ! knew, aud yet
| don see but that you have as many cares
as have.
neglect good many things, said Mrs
Banks "my tidies are all bought, while |
daresay you knit yours yourself my chill
drens clothes are perfectly plain, and so are
my own. I've often wanted to ask you where
You got so much time TO make all the pretty
clothes Minnie wears
"Oh, ! make them at night after the chill
dren are quiet Frank is away Mt the club,
and have all the evening 10 sew"
Alr. Banks doesn't ike TO have me sew
or knit when lac is at home; he says il doesn't
seem as though was entertaining him when
! am intent on the needle, and so I've never
done il except when compelled to by stress
OF circumstances.
And you always devote yourself TO him
as YOU have done ,iuce ! have been here 2"