, 1878-06-14
Husbands and Wives.
MRS. CHARLOTTE Il. FISHER.

10 NOT say the husband Is always 10
blame. The wife often makes home un-
happy; too often both are in fault. Yet
l think the husband is more apt to be-
come careless and neglectful of little at
tentions soon after marriage than tie wife
is, A trusting, loving girl gives up her
freedom forever and goes out from under
the sheltering roof of the old home to
bless and brighten the new. Goes to be
his own in sickness or health, for "better
or worse" until one of the twain shall
rest from all earthly labors.
Before marriage he was all attention
rs to his personal appearance; eager to
crafty her every wish. He admired the
rosebud she selected to wear on her bos-
ON, but thought his own chosen rosebud
much loveler. He admired the dress she
wore, the ribbon in her hair, truly she
could do nothing to please him that failed
of its object. And he told all his love
and admiration in actions, and what was
still ploasanter, in words.
Now they are welded, both sure of the
others love. The days are full of light
and Joy, she knows shadow can never
darken their home, for is she not his dar-
ling; his own happy little wife and does
he not tell her so every day? She does
not believe any change comes after mar
riage unless it is greater and more per-
feet love and trust. Years pass. Have
they carried the bloom of life with them9
He has business to look after, but he loves
his wife just the same, she will not be-
lieve otherwise Yet, sometimes when he
goes to his work, with only hasty kiss
and never once noticing the lily buds in
her hair, or that she has on his favorite
jewels, sometimes, / say, feeling of dis
appointment clouds the joy in her heart.
The full glory is dimmed. He continues
to grow more neglectful. She wears the
colors that used to please him she strives
to beautify his home in every possible
manner, but he speaks no word OF praise.
He even finds fault with her once in
while; but what pains her most is his
constant indifference, and he has, too, a
habit of putting her second instead of
first in nearly everything. Occasionally,
when he does happen to notice her he
wonders at the worn face and quiet man
ner; and, doubtless thereby, she has be-
come very careless Of home enjoyments
and love. Does he never remember the
many times gentle woman has stood be-
side him, lifting the hair from his brow
Or parting it with soft fingers, or caress-
ingly laying a white hand on his hand9
He used to kiss that same hand; holding
it in both his own, and say many kindly
things. Now she fingers near him, but
he never lifts his eyes from his book to
the face beside him, or finds one little
word of endearment for his wife.
Oh, if the walls of her room could
speak, would they not echo the words
that had so often been spoken to them:
"Ohl God, what have / done9 What
have failed to do, that life is not as it
once was2 Obi how have / frighted
away all the tender words; all the caresses
that once were mine9 Oh why did / not
die when every word and action we're
full of love2 Be.ter-far better to have
gone away from earth ere the bridal roses
faded than to have lived until my heart
calls out vainly, day and night, for the
glory of departed daysw--Rural NeU
Yorker.