The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1882-04-27


and tambled hair.
Maggie started aud glanced hastily frou
tho window. she sa. dosn IA oarvics
usy. rcmariing - shs did 50:
It's nobody but John
Nobody bat john And who 10 yo'
think John wAsg only her husband,
Nobody bat john
A few moments aftervard John fair
burn came into the room where We were SIT
ting. and gave me one Of his frank, eordia
greetings l had known him Tor many
years, aud long before his marriage,
noticed be gave an annoyed glance q, bin
wife. but did not speak to her The mean
ing OF his annoyance and indifference was
plain TO me: for John bad come from d
nea. and tidy family. His mothers
housekeeping had always been notable.
She was poor. but as time and water are to
he lad for nothing g-this Was one Of her
sayings she always managed to hase
things about her clean and orderly.
Maggie Lee had pretty face, bright eyes
and charming little ways, that were very
taking with the young men, and so was
| quite belle before she got out Of her
teens She, bad knack Of iixings ribbons
or tying scarf, or arranging her hair
shawl or dress IN way TO give grace and
charm TO her person. None but her most
intimate friends knew OF the untidiness
that prevailed her room and person when
at home and away from common obserya-
| tion.
| Poor John Fairburn was taken when he
married Maggie Lee, He thought he WAS
getting the sweetest and most orderly girl
| in town. but discovered too soon that he
was united TO careless slsttern. She
could dress for other peoples eyes beoad'e
she had natural love for admiration;
but at home, and Tor her husband, she put
on any old dud and went often looking like
the old scratch, as the saying is.
On this particular occasion of which |
am speaklng-it was after she and John
had been married over year-her appear
ance was almost disgusting. She did not
have on even morning dress; only faded
and tumbled chintz sack above soiled
skirt, slippers down at the heels, aud dirty
stockings. Her hair looked like hurrahs
nest, il any one knows what hat isl don't
but suppose it is the perfection of dis.
order. No one could love such looking
creature. This is simply impossible.
Nobody but John looked at the
bright handsome young man, and wonder.
ed. He ate his dinner almost in sill ence,
and then went back to his work, had
nevere seen him so moody.
What's come over John2 asked as h
went out.
Oh, don't know, his wife answered.
Something's wrong at the shop suppose.
He's had trouble with one Of the men, He
ID foreman, you know.
Are you sure it's only that? asked
looking serious.
That or something else about his work
There's nothing else to worry him.
/ was silent, debating with myself
whether good or harm would come of
little plain talk with Johns wife. She was
rather quick tempered, ] knew, and quick
to take offence. At last yenturel to re-
mark: Maybe things are not just to his
hiking at home.
At homel Maggie turned on me with q
fash of surprise in her face. What do
you mean2
Men like beauty and taste and neatness
in their wives as well as in their sweet
hearts, j said
The crimson mounted to her hair. AT
the same moment saw her glance at
looking glass that hung opposite her on
the wall She sat very still, yet with
startled look in her eyes, until the flush
faded and her face became almost pale.
Maggie, said |, rising and drawing my
arm around her, come up stairs. have
got something very serious to say to you.
We walked from the little dining room
up to her room in silence. then said,
Maggie, ] want to tell you about friend
OF mine who made shipwreck OF happi.
ness and life 1t is sad story; but am
sure it will interest You deeply. She was
my cousin. and her name WAS
Maggie bent forward, listened attentive
Ily, What? she asked, as besitated on
the name.
Helen
Not Helen White, who married John
Harding, aud was atterward deserted by
her husband?
Yes, my poor dear cousin Helen, Its
OF her am going TO tell you.
never knew why her husband went of
As he did. said Maggie. Some said he was
to blame, and some putall the fault on her.
How was it2
Both were to blame; but she the most,
replied John Harding was like your hus-
band, one OF the neatest and most orderly
Of men. Anything untidy in bis honse or
in the person Of his house or in the person
OF his wife, annoyed and often put him out
OF humor; bu, he did not, as he should
have done, speak plainly TO bis wife, and
let her see exactly how he felt, and In what
~ l. Ill H..
so. Helen wonld have tried, as every good
wife should. TO conform herself more TO
10 his tastes aud wishes. But be was
silent. moody sort OF man when things
did not 20 just TO suit him, aud instead OF
speaking out plainly, brooded over Helen's
faults and worried himself into fits Of III
humor. And what wss worse than sll,
grew al length Indifferent. TO his home and