The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-02-27

Sull on nO5plLaDle t0OuBOtS 1nLenJt IN
spite of his wlfe's evident reluctance to 1t;
while she on her part felt as il there was a
world of trouble before her, and thought of
all her lamps with her fresh wicks, etc.
In fact Fanny took things hard. Every
thing in housekeeping was labor to her.
She trusted nobody, she was satisfied with
nothing Servants were her natural
enemies" flies her torments, moth her COR
roding evil, and all the minor ills Of life,
miseries.
She had been married about two years and
wanted to be, and thought she was, very
good housekeeper-and so she was, if
having every thing as bright and nice as labor
and care could make 1t is good housekeeping;
but il the term is meant to go q little fur
ther and include comfort, and as much of
happiness as depends on domestic details,
she woefully missed it. When her husband
came home of an evening wearied with the
tolls and cares of the day, and would gladly
have refrehed himself with a little female
gossip and lively chit chat, she generally
greeted him with grave. anxious face, and
long story of some petty domestic annoy
ance, the history OF some housmaid who
would make up the third story before the
second, or use the brooms and pals of either
indiscriminately; and the man servant, who,
spite of all she could do or say, had certain
ways of his own of arranging his pantries,
that were a source of bitter complaint.
well, dismiss them" said Mr.. Taylor,
impatiently.
where's the use?" she answered COM
plainihgly; "they are all as bad, one as an
other. spent week in going about max
ing inquiries before engaged Tom, and he
had first rate recommendation yet you
see what torment be is. He is so OBJ
stinate;" aud then followed such list of
| Toms moral delinquencies, that the only
wonder was that Mrs. Taylor was able to
keep him for day.
If Toms story could have been heard, it
would probably have been quite as earnest,
and perhaps as reasonable; in which Mrs.
Taylor would have figured as the most peril
nacioas and exacting of housekeepers, sin
terfering," as Tom thought, with what did
not concern her, for If he did his work well.
he had q right to do it in the way he liked
best" So no doubt silent struggle was go
ing on, on Toms part, as well as his mis-
tress's-for human nature is not all on one
side-nor perfection to be bought for any
stipulated sum, let it be what it will, per
month.
Where is Mr.. Harrington" she asked the
next day, when her husband returned to
dinner.
He was engaged to-day" he replied.
and asked him for to morrow"
"Oh, how provoking" she replied; 81
thought you meant to bring him to day."
''I did" be said. "But if the man would
But what difference does 1t maker"
"A great deal, :" she answered evidently
much annoyed. 81 have had the dinner
table set up stairs to-day. and wanted to get
through with it."
well, and 1 wish you would have it so
every day. Fanny" said her husband. "You
know | hate the basement. particularly as
you never will let me bring stranger down
there"
"Now, Charles" she said, imploringly.
chow can you ask it? During the winter
am very willing, but in summer, with the
flies. it is out of the question"
Then, when we have strangers, let them
dine down there" persisted her husband.
"Oh! that Will never do" she replied;
"the room Is nice enough for us when we
are alone; but as to admitting company
there, it is impossible"
at is very hard" he replied, with some
vexation, THAT 1 am not able to ask friend
to dinner when L wish it,"
~ am sure, Charles" she said, the tears
starting to her eyes as she spoke. II never
| object to your having your friends when
| you wish it. You are very unjust"
III you don't object, Fanny, in so many
words" he answered. pettishly, there's al
ways such fuss made about it thatitamounts
to the same thing"
"FusS!" she repeated, much hurt. don't
know what you mean by fuss. | only want
that L am sure, is reasonable enough"
"But tell you L dom always know when
myself" he replied, impatiently.
We'll you need not be angry at my ask
ing" she persisted
II am not angry. he replied, in voice
that rather contradicted his words Tears
were now falling fast from his wife's pretty
eyes; and, half sorry, half angry, he said:
Now, what is the matter, Fanny
You are very uni Just and very unreas0na-
BILE" she replied, weeping.
every unjust and very unreasonable,
Fanny he repeated, in his turn both of
Tended and hurt. l really don't know what
/ have done or said to merit such reproaches
as these"
sit is very hard" she continued, sobbing,
Ito be called fussy and unkind, because |
try to keep things in something like decent
order"
81 did not call you either fussy or unkind,"
he replied.
Something very like It," she persisted,
'you said"
Il said." interrupted he, "that you made
fuss with having dinner upstairs, and all
that. when we have company; and that is all
1 said." he continued, decidedly, and with
some temper; 'for you do make fuss. But
never said you were unkind, FLOR that you
never are"
Fanny, in the midst of her tears. saw that
her husband was in earnest, and felt that
she had better not push the matter any
further. or he might be provoked to assert
his will even more decisiyely, so still bent
upon having her own way, she dried her
eyes. and only said. 'If Mr.. Harrington
dimes here tomorrow you had better ask Mr..
Morgan to meet him."
81 will, +" he replied, glad to turn the con
| verSation. Come, dinner is on the table,"
And they sat down, both rather sorry for the
discussion, and resolved to be agreeable and
| good humored for the rest of the day.
But when peoples tempers have been
ruffled, and their spirits exhausted, it is not
| very easy always to recover their usual tone
Immediately; and Fanny, spite of her efforts
could not be gay, while she still heard the
word "fussy' ringing in her ears; and Mr.
| Taylor did not forget at once that he had
been called unreasonable and unjust" So
after several vain endeavors at conversation
she fell into a languid silence, and he threw
himself upon the sofa, in hopes of nap
until the evening paper came in.
| No furthor alluoi0n m ada 10 NJ uar