Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-07-14

aye uhu more OF NuoA Autl NoiA Nhal
acter in her face that her daughter
would ever have; but / haven't the
admiration for q face with character
that some men have. Robinson always
said be liked that kind Of thing, and
be certainly had it in his mother-ln-
law. Robinson spent the better part
Of an hour talking with her that night,
while ] was chatting with his wife. ]
came away convinced that marriage
must be very pleasant thing, with a
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't
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. | was afraid
Annie would want to board at home
with her mother, but Mrs. Page agreed
with me it was better TO build q little
nest of our own. She took the kindest
interest in everything, and wanted to
60 house-hunting with Annie, and to
help her pick out the furniture. But /
had already secured o house, and
bought the furniture of friend of
mine in the business, who would favor
me in prices. AS to bed linen, car.
pets, 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 his own furni-
tureF
None whatever l replied, unless
it may be that his wife desires the same
privilege
Bat she didn't Smith. Annie said
she was glad to leave it to me. took
the dear little woman in my arms and
kissed her, and felt my heart lightened
of heavy load that somehow had rest
ed there since my last interview with
her mother. But Mrs. Pages manner
is yet very unpleasant, Smith--very, l
don't want to say that she accuses me
of robblng Annie Of any legitimate
happiness but she conveys some such
impression to my mind, and it makes
me feel like malefactor I'm so fond
of my wife that the thought of depriv-
ing her of the smallest joy is misery to
me.
We'll, these little triaes will all come
right Robinson. 1t isn't as if your
law lived with you
She's only round the corner, Smith.
I 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 Heaven is my Judge,
Smith, l have tried to take every bur-
den from my wife. I've opened &C.
counts with the neighbor grocer, but
cher, baker, and hired an excellent ser
want. l leave generous margin for
which I look into rigidly at
the first of, every month, and settle
with the other accounts when we begin
with clear fresh record. A woman
certainly ought to be happy when she
has nothing to do but enjoy herself.
I've even persuaded her to put all her
little expenses down in my book, so
that she knows where every penny of
her money goes; and, as l said before,
l take care of the household expenses
myself. The servant comes to me ev-
cry morning for orders before I 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, Smith,
Perhaps he might better do less
Robinson. I'm only miserable bache-
lor myself, and know nothing about
women; but the question is, if you're
not taking too much upon yourself
"A man can't do too much, Smith.
for the woman he adores.'
Just then a customer came in, and |
was glad to get away. Robinson evil
IDENTIFY had the best intentions in the
world. He loved his wife. He even
his motherin,law. L 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 the wedding was close
at hand, and he was interested in a
gift to his wife.
Il was puzzled what to get, said Rob
inson.
You see she's got almost every
thing, Smith; her wedding presents
so many little adornments
and knicknacks. At last I hit upon a
black silk dress--a. woman can't have
too many, and l can get bargain
down IN the store just now. She said
she'd rather have the money, and buy
it outside; but 1 persuaded her that
would be foolish. So she's coming in
to choose the trimming this afternoon,
and if she comes while I'm out, you'll
take care of her, won't your
with pleasure said. And it so
happened that she did come while Rob
nson was away, and seemed to bring
III the sunshine with her.
told her that her husband had left
1er in my care and begged her to use
ne in any way that suggested itself to
her: that it would be nv happiness to