The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-05-21
HOME COMFORTS

arose from tile Supper-taple ana LOOK Ill:
hat.
"Oh-I'm going out" was the careles:
response.
But where?"
what odds does it make. Emma.
shall be back at my usual time"
The young wife hesitated, and a quick
flush overspread her face. She seemed
to have made up her mind to speal
plainly upon = subject which had lair
uneasily upon her heart for some time
and she could not let the opportunit.
pass. 1t required IN effort, but sh'
p%ersevered.
LET me tell you what odds it make;
to me- she said, in a kind, but tremu
lous tone. "IfI cannot have your com
pany here at home, l should at least fee
much better if l knew where you were.
But you know that | am safe
Emma, and what more can you ask?"
Il do not know that you are safe
George. l know nothing about yor
when you are away"
Pooh! Would you have it that | an
not capable of taking care of myself"
You put q wrong construction on my
words, George. Love is always anHiou:
when its dearest object is away. If
did not love you as | do, | might not b'
thus uneasy. When you are at youl
place of business l never feel thus, be
cause | know l can seek and find you a
any moment; but when you are absen'
during these long evenings, l get tt
wondering where 20" are. Then 1 be
gin to feel lonesome: and so one thought
follows another, until l feel troubled
and uneasy. Oh, if you would stay will
me a portion of your evenings"
"Aha-I thought that was what yol
were aiming at" said George, with {
playful shake Of the head. "4ou woulc
have me here evenings"
"Well-can you wonder at it," re
turned Emma. q" use to be very happy
when you came to spend an evening
with me before we were married: and
know l should be very happy in YOU
society now"
"Ah," said George, with a smile
Those were business meetings. w
were arranging then for the future"
And why not continue to do so, my
husband? I am sure we could be a:
happy nsw as ever. If you will remem
ber-one of I'LL plans was to make :
home"
And haven't we got one, Emma?"
1--WE have i place in which to live,
answered the wife, somewhat evasively
And it is our home" pursued George
And" he added, with a sort of conf
dent flourish, "home is the wife's pecu'
liar province. She has charge Of it, anc
her work is there; while the duties O.
the husband call him to other scenes"
"Aye-I admit that, so far as certain
duties are concerned" replied Emma
But you must remember that we boil
need r]elaXations from labor; we neeC
time for social and mental improvement
and enjoyment; and what season have
we for this save u evenings? Why
should not this be my home evenings, ~
well rs in the daytime and in the night?'
"Well-isn't it?" asked George.
How can it be if you are not here;
What makes a home for children, il it b'
not the abode of the parents? Wha
ho.,le can a husband have where there j!
no wife? And-what real home comforts
c;n a wife enjoy where there is no hus
band? You do not realize how Lonesome
I am all alone here during these lon
evenings. They are the very season.
when | am at leisure to enjoy your com
panionship, and when you would be a
leisure to enjoy mine, if it is worth EN-
joying. They are the seasons when tn
happiest hours of home-life might b.
passed. Come--will You not spend :
few of your evenings with me?"
You see enough of me as it is" sale
the husband, lightly.
ALLOW me to be the judge Of that
George. You would be very lonesome
here. all alone"
mot lift was my place Of business, q
t is of yours" returned the young man
"You IRE used to staying here. All
wives belong at home"
Just remember, my husband, that
previous to our marriage, l had pleasan
society all the time. Ofcourse l remain
ed at home much ofmy time; but I ha(
n father and mother there-and l hat
brothers and sisters there; and our even
ings were happily spent. Finally l sav'
II up for You. l left the old home, ant
sought 4 home with my husband. Ant
now, have | not q right to expect >om'
of Your companionship? How woult
yoL like it to have me away every even
ming, while yoM were obliged to remain
were all ~alonep"
"Why, | should like it well enough
try it"
Yes would" said George, at
venture.
"Will YOU remain here every e~venin!
next week, and let me spend then
amon1 NV fpmalp friends
Certainly | will; and I assure you
shall not be so lonesome rs you imagine
With this the husband went out, and Wa:
soon among his friends. He was a steady
industrious man. and loved his wife
dearly; but, like thousands of others, 1t
had contracted i habit Of spending hi:
evenings abroad. and thought of no harm
His only practical idea of home seemed
to be, that it was q place which his wifi
took care of, and where he could eat
drink, and sleep. as long as he could pay
for ii. In short, he treated it rs 4 sor
of private clearinghouse, of which hi!
wife was landlady and if he paid all thu
bills he considered his duty done. Hi!
wife had frequently asked him to stay a
home with her, but she had never ven
tured upon any argument before, and 1t
had no conception of how much sh'
missed him. She always seemed happ.
when he came home, and he supposet
she could always be so.
Monday evening came, and George
Wilson remained true to his promise
His wife put on her bonnet and shawl
and he said he would remain and "keel
house."
"Wha will you do while I am gomez
Emma asked.
"Oh-I shall read, and sing, and enjoy
myself generally"
Very well. I shall be back in goo(
season."
The wife went out, and the husband
was left alone. He had an intercstin:
book, and he began to read it. He reat
till eight O'Clock, and then he began tc
yawn, and referred frequently to the
dial. The look did not interest him a:
usual. Ever and anon he would come
to a passage which he knew would
please his wife, and instinctively ne
turned as though he would read it aloud
but there was no wife to hear it. Al
half-past eight he arose from his chair
and began to pace the floor. and whistle.
Then. he went and got his flute, and per-
formed several ofhis favorite airs. After
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