Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-10-08
MiscELLAHE Gus.
MANAGING A MAN.

/ ~ sweetest, best and dearest little girl in
HIllsburg and when Tom Carter fell head
over heels in love with her, nobody blamed
him IN the least. And when the parson gave
his blessing, and they went to commence
housekeep ping in a cosy little house on the
south side of the town. everybody prophesied
all sorts of happiness for the pretty BRIDE
And, truth to tell, Nellie Carter was very
happy. 1t is pleasant thing to 90 to house.
keeping for the first time, with everything
new and shiny; and if you have somebody
you love very much for your companion, it
is still pleasautar. Now, Nellie did love
that great big blund ring Tom Carter with
all her might aud main, and there was only
one thing to disturb her perfect pence. She
was the very pink of tidiness, and Tom was
the most careless fellow alive. He kept his
person neat aud nice-but his personal be-
longings anything else. Tom would persist in
tossing his slippers under the parlor sofa, to
have them handy. In vain did she suggest
that the rack in the hall was the place for
his hat and overcoat. Tom would fling his
overcoat, damp or dry. on her pretty bed, and
drop his hat anywhere. In vain did tidy
Nellie make lace for everything, for Tom
invariably tossed everything in some other
place. NV, little Mrs. Nellie was only hu
man. and Toms slovehly ways annoyed her
the peace of her cosy home by scolding, hut
how to cure him she could not tell. She
bore with the patience of an angel, until one
morning alter he had gone to his cffcr. she
went into the parlor, and thern lay Toms
heavy shawl right across the table ruthless
ly crushing beneath it the pretty trihes which
lay unon the marble table.
Now, l can't stand this aud l won, -
said Nellie, as she carefully raised tho shawl
from the delicate treasures and discovered
the ruins of favoritc Bohemian vase.
81 don't know what to do, but this won't
| haze !" she continued, with the little bit of
wifey SNIP which all good wives must have
if they expect to get on at all with that
casional unreasonable animal-a man.
"Somc way must be discovered to euro
Tom of such perfcrms nces as this" went on
Mrs. Nellie as she removed the ruins of her
vase, and all the morning she vert about the
| house with scarlet lirs closely compressed
and little flush in her brown eyes, which
argued we'll for Muster Toms domestic SUBJ
lection.
And when determined little woman says
'must' and 'shal' masculine insrbordina-
tlon might as we'll surrender at once.
Beforc Mrs. Netlie closed her bright eyes
that night she had arranged her plans for
the cam raign against her liege lord, who
slept the sleep Of the innocent at her side.
But she meant to give him one more
| chance.
So, after break fast, when Tom drew on his
boots, and gave his slippers their usual toss
under the sofa, she gently said, Tom, dear,
hadn't you better put your slippers in the
passage of the bedroom.
mo, let 'em alone; they will be handy
for tonight" said Tom.
but, Tom dear, they look so untidy"
''Why, no they don't. a thing looks ss
well in one F'acc as in another. What's the
use Of mans having a home if he can't
keep things where he wants to ?" said rebel
licus Tom.
"What's the of keeping a wife and a
sercant on their feet all day TO pick up things
after you p asked Nellie, without the least
show Of any temper.
"Don't pick 'en up at all. Just let 'em
alone. and then can find 'em when want
'em," declared Master Tom, as he gave her
kiss and took himself of.
And the moment the door closed upon
him NeIie's red lips compressed again, and
, her brown eyes wore the same look as they
had worn yesterday.
"Wsr it is, then !" she said to herself-
''Now Master Tom, we shall see who wins
the field"
She set quietly about the usual mornings
work OF mistress of house where only one
servant is kept, and when Tom came to din
ner everything was in its usual good Or
der.
Then she rose to put away herself to
'open the csmpaign"
First she put Toms slippers where he
always left them, under the sofa.
Then she tossed her shawl upon the piano.
and his best hat on the table
/ Then she brought some of her dresses and
flung them across the chairs aud on the
/ sofa
Her furs reposed in Toms own especiaI
armchair. and her best bonnet kept Toms
! slippers company under the sofs, while her
( own SLIPPERS lay upon the chifonier And
then, thinking that female ingenuity could
make no greater sacrifice than her Sum
day bonner, she took piece of crochet
work, and sat down.
Presently the door opened, and in walked
| Master Tom.
He gave low whistle of surprise as he
! glanced at the uuwonted disorder, and at
! Nellie sitting calmly in the midst with her
| crotchet work, and then came into the
room.
''Hsven't been putting things to rights,
| Nellie 2" he asked.
Ono, no. Why ?" said Nellie looking up
| in sweet Inconsistencies. NJ
! II thought may be you had been, that's
! ALL" remarked Tom dIyly, as he looked
! for place to sit down.