Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1882-01-11
A Story For Husbands.

aud more disposed TO be pleased
with her new home than the little
woman whom Phillip Birney, one
bright, sunny morning, introduced
as mistress of the plain brown house
that stood at the entrance Of the
village of Redfield.
alt is capable OF being made
lovely little place. she observed to
her husband, after quick survey
of the yard, fence and exterior
generally. ~ honeysuckle trained
over that window, and coat OF
paint on the portico would help it
wonderfully. O! Phil, | shall take
such pleasure in making our home
attractive and pretty! l have an
old white dimity dress that belong.
ed to mother-made before they
gorcd the skirts, you knOw-and |
mean to make curtains out of 1t Tor
the up stairs chambers
don't bc tearing up your clothes,
Kate. to furnish the house I'm
afraid there wouldn't be much econ
omy in that was Phillips laugh
ing reply as lie led the way into the
house.
Kate fitted: from one room TO
another. chatting gaiiy OF her plans
as she found something desirable
aud convenient in each apartment
a cosy corner here 10 sew Ill, "a well.
placed shelf there, that cupboard
for her dishes and this one for the
table hnen-to all of which her hus.
band listened with a pleased smile.
"YeS, | shall so much enjoy keep.
ing it tidy and orderly she said
again aud again. ~ the tour OF tue
rooms was finished. And the next
day tue pretty bride began house.
Keeping in earnest. The furniture
WAS cheap and plain, but 1t was
marvellous how CHEEKY the rooms
looked after Kate, with a few grace
ful touches, had disposed of numer.
Gus small ornamental articles taken
from her trunk, which her nlmble
fingers had fashioned before lcav-
ing the home roof. 1t was wonder
inl. too, how much that trunk con
taiacd. Almost every day Phillip
q was called on To admire some new
thing blurght up from its depths
To add brightness ard beauty to III,
little house, until it became quite il
matter Of course IN inquire, whenev'
er new tin pan OF other kitchen
utcnsil was added to their stock, II
il, too. came out of the trunk.
AS time sped 10y, our young house
keeper found full occupation fol-
hands and heart, aud although hel
increasing household duties, and
the charge of the little one that was
huru to them. left their traces OF
her pale face and bowed shoulders
she lost none OF the enthusiasm ano
genuine delight III keeping tn,
house neat and pretty, which hat
characterized the beginning ut he
witrlv career. The lawn WAS dotted
with shrubbcry. planted and caret
for by her own hands. The well
kept strawberry patch. the thrifty
orarcvincs and choice Young frnlti
were also the result Of her industry
unai,lcd save 10y the occasional hell
of the little ones, who were Ia
ottcncr "A hindprancc than an assist
nurp. And all this had been accom-
plished ut n disadvantage, for MI
; Birney was a man who cared yer.
. little for these things, OF ut leas
did not value them at theu rea
worth. He relished the fine cherrle
and berries that added so much I
their bill of fare during tue seaso
of fruits, quite as much as any one
hut he had only II vague idea OF III
labor aud care they cost his wife
He enjoyed coming home IN tn
evening to his clean, orderly dom
:. cile. where he knew always that
palatable meal awaited him; h
realized dimly that the dooryart
with it's borders of sweet alyssul
: and bright phlox, Was one OF III
prettiest sights in the village, br
d he accepted it all as matter
course.
His wife was a model woman
his eyes, aud when he sometime
d noticed, as the truth does fort
itself Oh every mind, that she loo
ed care worn and too old for b
$, wears, it never occurred to him TIL
little thoughtfulDess on bis pa
would save her many weary step
He had not learned that lesson
many husbands need to learn, TN
by exercising a little care wife
labors may be materially lighte
ed.
=, Phillip Birney would have resen
lie ed the imputation fercely had al