The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-06-18

Ou WHeu ne 3 UlTou VI SudluS anu SuOu-
dies. Annie isn't brought up to dazzle
and deceive. Her mother has taken
great pains to inculcate in her daughter
qualifications of mind and character
that will make her good wife and
mother. Mrs. Page is an excellent wom-
an, Smith"
"And suppose her daughter is like
her?"
"Well, no, Smith. She can't con-
verse and reason as her mother can, nor
has she her mothers appreciative quail
ties. Annie's mind is less astute."
"Well, she's young yet"
"She's as simple and pliable as lit
tie child. I'm a happy man, Smith"
was delighted to hear him say so,
and told him so, and at the wedding l
expressed it as my opinion that his hap
piness would last. was charmed with
his wife. She seemed such a nice, jolly
little creature, so unaffected and simple
in her manner, and had wonderful
magnetism about her. She was as
plump and round as a little partridge,
with big black melting eyes and pretty
little mouth. can't say was so much
drawn to her mother. She was fine
looking woman, with deep voice, and
something very firm about the contour
of her jaw. Mrs. Page had more of
what they call character in her face than
her daughter would ever have; but /
haven't the admiration for a face with
character that some men have. Robin
son always said that he liked that kind
of a thing, and he certainly had it in his
mother-in-law. Robinson spent the bet
ter part of an hour talking with her that
night, while / was chatting with his
wife. | came away convinced that mar
riage must be a very pleasant thing, with
little wife like Robinson's, and my
bachelor quarters looked exceedingly
dingy and forlorn.
don't know how it was, but took
an extraordinary interest in Robinson's
marriage, and was sorry to see cloud
on the matrimonial horizon before six
months were over.
"We've gone to housekeeping, you
know" said Robinson. 81 was afraid
Annie would want to board at home
with her mother, but Mrs. Page agreed
with me it was better to build little
nest of our own. She took the kindest
interest in everything, and wanted to 90
house-hunting with Annie, and to help
her pick out the furniture. But l had
already secured house, and bought the
furniture from friends of mine in the
business, who would favor me in prices.
AS to bed-linen, carpets, and things of
that sort, got them here in the store at
cost. In Heavens name, Smith, is there
any reason why man shouldn't hire his
own house and purchase mis- own furni-
ture?n
"None whatever" replied, "unless
it may be that his wife desires the same
privilege"
"But she didn't, Smith; Annie said
she was glad to leave it to me. L took
the dear little woman in my arms and
kissed her, and felt my heart ightened of
a heavy load that somehow had rested
there since my last interview with her
mother. But Mrs. Pages manner is yet
very unpleasant, Smith-very. | don't
want to say that she accuses me of rob
bling Annie of any legitimate happiness,
but she conveys some such impression
to my mind, and it makes me feel like q
malefactor. I'm SO fond of my wife
that the thought of depriving her of the
olhduOSb JOy IL lnlSSE1 W uuO.
Well, these little trifles will all come
right, Robinson. 1t isn't as if your
mother-in-law lived with you"
"She's only round the corner, Smith.
thought of that when | took the house,
that it would be so comfortable for
Annie to live near her old home, and
have the attention and advice of her
mother. AS Heavens my judge, Smith,
have tried to take every burden from
my wife. I've opened accounts with
the neighboring grocer, butcher, baker,
and hired an excellent servant. leave
generous margin for sundries, which |
look into rigidly at the first of every
month, and settle with the other &C
counts, when we begin again with
clear, fresh record. A woman certainly
ought to be happy when she has nothing
to do but enjoy herself. I've even per-
suaded her to put all her little expenses
down in my book, so that she knows
where every penny of her money goes;
and, as said before, l take care of the
household expenses myself. The SER
want comes to me every morning for
orders before | go to business, so that
Annie scarcely knows what she's going
to have for dinner. Could man do
more for his wife than that, Smthp"
"Perhaps he might better do less.
Robinson. I'm only miserable bach
elor myself, and know nothing about
women; but the question is, if you're
not erring on the generous side-if
you're not taking too much upon your
SELF"
ga man can't do too much, Smith,
for the woman he adores."
Just then customer came in, and I
was glad to get away. Robinson evil
IDENTIFY had the best intentions in the
world. He loved his wife. He even
esteemed his mother-in-law. I never
saw man work so hard in what he
considered his line of duty, and so ut
terly fail to recommend it to others, as
poor Robinson. But he began to be
brighter and apparently happier. The
anniversary of his wedding was close at
hand, and he was interested in gift to
his wife.
81 was puzzled what to get," said
Robinson. "You see she's got almost
everything, Smith; her wedding pres
ents embraced SO many little adornments
and knickknacks. At last hit upon a