The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1881-05-28

diC mubudlly Interested III the same
topics. We sit and talk about domestic
matters for hours together, while Annie
thums over her new piece on the piano,
and Mrs. Page has told me, time and
again, if there's one thing more than
another she admires in my character it's
the interest I take in little domestic
details that most men despise or hold in
utter Indifference. You see, Smith, mar
rage is sacred obligation"
Undoubtedly, Robinson"
"And requires study, Smith. I
wouldn't have been successful buyer
if [ hadn't inquired into all the little
intricacies of our line of business"
You certainly can Judge of a good
article, Robinson"
"Ah, Smith, the one I've secured
now is beyond price. She's just the
kind of goods man wants to rest his
eyes upon when he's tired of shams and
shoddies. 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
woman, Smith,"
"And L 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. Annies mind is less astute."
We'll, she's young yet"
"She's as simple and pliable as lit
tie child. I'm happy man, Smith"
l was delighted to hear him say so,
and told him so, and at the wedding 1
expressed it as my opinion that his hap
piness would last. was charmed with
his wife. She seemed such nice, jolly
little creature, so unaffected and simple
in her manner, and had wonderful
magnetism about her. She was as plump
and round as 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 some
thing 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 I haven't
the admiration for a face with character
that some men have. Robinson always
said he liked that kind of thing, and he
certainly had it in his mother-in-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
a very pleasant thing, with little wife
like Robinson's, and my bachelor quar-
tiers looked exceedingly dingy and
forlorn.
1 don't know how it was, but I took
an extraordinary interest in Robinson's
marriage, and was sorry to see q 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 go
house-hunting with Annie and to help
her pick out the furniture. But I had
already secured house, and bought
the furniture of friends of mine in the
business, who would favor me in prices
no w OOu-ALlCu, CstI pcto dHO vi
that sort, I got them here in tie store
at cost. In heavens name, Smith, is
there any reason why man shouldn't
hire his own house and purchase his
own furniture
"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. I took
the dear little woman in my arms and
kissed her, and felt my heart lightened
of very heavy load that somehow had
rested there since my last interview
with her mother. But Mrs. Pages
manner is very unpleasant, Smith-very.
don't want to say that she accuses me
of robbing Annie of any legitimate hap
piness, but she conveys some such i'm
preston to my mind, and it makes me
feel like malefactor. I'm so fond of
my wife that the thought of depriving
her of the smallest JOY is mistry to me"
"Well, these little trifes will all come
right, Robinson. It isn't as if your
mother-in-law lived with you"
"She's only round the corner Smith.
l. Ul1OuSShG VI WHICH, uOOA lue
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,
I have tried to take every burden from
my wife. I've opened accounts with
the neighboring grocer, butcher, baker,
and hired an excellent servant. I leave
generous margin for sundries, which I
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 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
/ said before, take care of the house
hold expenses myself. The servant
comes to me every morning for orders
before I go to business, SO that Annie
scarcely knows what she's going to have
for dinner. Could a man do more than
that, Smith ?"
"Perhaps he might do less, Robinson.
I'm only miserable bachelor myself,