Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-04-11
Matte Hunters Confession,

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Matte Hunters Confession.
Matte had fiery temper, but that
was her worst fault.
When she married Marsh Hunter
people made big eyes, and said:
"She'll make his life warm business
for him.
But Matte thought differently.
"I1l show them what triumph love
will work. I'll teach them I'm not the
vixen SEEM" and so she married
him.
The wedding was very pleasant af-
fair-something to look back to as long
as they lived. Matte looked very sweet
in her white swiss and apple blossoms.
Her long, jetty curls trembled and
shone in the brilliant lamplight; her
eyes sparkled like twin stars, and her
soft cheeks were mantled in softer
bushes as she leaned trustingly ON the
strong arm of the stalwart man who was
to be her guard and guide through
life.
The honeymoon was rich with the
pleasures of new-married life to the
humble pair; but the time soon came
when the bride must leave the old roof
tree for the untried realities of home
of her own. That was the first sorrow
the trial of leaving home and mother
but it was feeting, for in the excitement
OF setting up" housekeeping in the
white cottage on Squire Blackburn's
farm, the little sorrow was drowned.
TWAS very funny, and Marsh laughed,
and Matte laughed, when Just they two
sat down to the little new table, and
ate from the new dishes on the new
cloth the wholesome viands prepared by
Mattie's own hands and cooked on the
new stove. Everything was new and
strangely sweet.
Everything went on nicely, and Mat.
tie was triumphant. But all things
earthly must change. Happiness does
not come unalloyed. The weather grew
warm and the kitchen hot, and one Of
the hottest days Of the season, Matte
had the headache, and the supper must
be ready at five o'clock. Matte tried
to get it ready. but burnt her wrist to a
blister on the stove then she burnt the
bread in the stove. Then she looked at
the clock, and saw it had stopped, and
looking out at the door she saw Marsh
washing his hot face and hands in the
water-trough.
Is supper ready ?" he asked, and she
blurted out something, and they had
their first quarrel I Oh, dear me the
FIRST quarrel How sorry it made the
poor, sick little woman. But Marsh
looked sullen, and went off to the field
without kissing her.
They never talked that quarrel over,
simply because each was too proud to
breach the subject. After that, quar-
rels came oftener and easier. They did
not mean to quarrel, but somehow
angry words would come mp.
After awhile q little boy came to their
houselIeld, audit seemed for month or
two good deal like the well-remem-
bered honeymoon but Mattic's wretch
ed temper would fly to pieces again, and
the happiness was spoiled.
ITS curious we can't. get along
without so much quarreling," said
Marsh. one winter day, after he had lust
put on q heavy back log"
Matte felt the tears in her ewes in n
moment, and her heart softened toward
Marsh. and she was about to confess
her failings and ask his forgiveness,
when he continued
" II is all your hateful temper. Mat
tie; you know ii is"
That was enough; and what was
meant to be a reconciliation was simply
another quarrel.
Oh dear me! It is nv wretched
temper-l kss0H il is" sobbed Matte
after Marsh went ont s. but he needn't
have said so. Oh
II 4 only wasn't SO blunt" said
Marsh to himself, with a sigh. as he
sauntered toward the stable.
80 things went from bad to worse
LATHE mistakes were magnified into ter
rIbie wrongs. The neighbors had their
NIL OF gossip about the matter; and
finally, one day. when Marsh was away.
Matte thought the thing over.
4 am q wretched little nuisance. p
she SAID mentally :" don't know whv
am 20 either but / can't hel,p il =" she
said. sdespairingly, her lips auiyerinu
and her eyes filing with tears. .:T'vs
q great mind to take Neidie and 90
home, and stay there. Nv shame
couldn't be greater than it isl"
She clasped the baby close in ber
arms, and the big tears fell fast on his
curly head. Her heart seemed bursting
within her, but she wrapped the chilli
"a " hef shaEl. and with quickening step
me ned tho place and hurried across the
nroM covered feids to her mothers.
What's the matter, child q" asked
n n mother 81 Matte, pale and SILVER