The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-01-03
COIL can't tell exactly. | may

70 10 etNtldA EAA1tS-
SO George Wilson was left alone
again. and he tired TO amu>e him.
self a. before. but he found It hard
work. Ever and anon he would
cast his eyes upon that empty chair.
and the thought would comc.
How pleasant it would be If she
were here: The clock finally
struck nine, and he began 10 listen
for the step Of his wife. Half an
hour more slipped by. and he be-
came very nervous and uneasy.
Il declare" he muttercd ohm
| self, after he had listened for some
time IN vain. This Is o bad.
She ought not TO stay out % late"
But he happened TO remember
that he had often remained away
much later than that. 20 be con
cludcd he must make the best of il.
At fifteen minutes TO ten Emma
came.
\ little late. amt L." she said,
looking up At the clock. But |
fell III with some old friends. and
we made an evening Of it. How
have YOU enjoyed yourSelf:"
First rate" returned George.
brayely. i think home IS a great
place"
On the next evening Emma pre-
pared to 90 cut as before; but this
time she kissed her husband ere she
went, and seemed to hesitate for a
moment.
"Where DO you think Of going?"
George asked IN an undertone.
Il may drop IN to see uncle
john" replied Emma. "Howcyer,
you won't to be uneasy. You'll
know I'm safe"
"Oh-certainly."
When the husband was lift to
his own reflections. he bag.n To
ponder seriously upon the sgbject
thus presented for consideration.
i declare" he said TO hi nsclf.
i did not think it would be 50
lonesome. And an it be that She
feels as | do when she is here ali
alone =
After this he walked up and
down the room several times. and
then stopped again and communed
with himself.
4 can't stand this. | should
die in a week. If Emma were only
here, | think | could amuse my
self very well. How lonesome and
dreary it is. And only eight
o'clock. | declare I've a mind to
walk down by Uncle Johns. and
see if she is there. 1t would be a
relief to see her face. | won't 90
in"
1t was a beautiful moonlight
night, and the air was keen and
bracing. He was walking along.
with his eyes bent upon the path,
when he heard a light step APP
preaching him. He looked up
and he could not be miStakcn-saw
his wife. His first impulse was 10
avoid her, but she had recognized
him.
George" she said, in surprise,
"is this YOU :"
1t Is" was the response.
"And YOU do not pass your
evenings at home :"
This IS the first time ! have
been out Emma, upon my word,
and even now ! have not been alb
sent from the house ten minutes.
| merely came out to take the fresh
air. But where are YOU going :"
i am going home, George VIII
You 90 with me -"
Certainly" returned the hus-
band. She took his arm, and they
walked home IN silence.
When Emma had taken off her
things, she sat down IN her rocking
chair, and gazed up at the clock.
"lou came home early Tonight"
remarked George.
The young wife looked up into
the husbands face, and, with an
expression half smiling and half
fearful. she answered
q viii confess the truth. George:
| have given up the experiment. /
managed to stand to it last evening.
but | could not bear it through to
night. When | thought Of you all
alone | wanted to be with YOU. 1t
didn't seem right. | haven't enjoy-
ed myself at all. | have no home
but this"
Say You So cried George,
moving his seat to his wife's SIDE,
and taking one Of her hands.
I" Then let me make my confession,
| have stood it not a whit better.
could bear It 10 longer. | found
Il was no home for me while nv
sweet wife was absent. | thought
| would walk down 81 Uncle Johns