Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-04-11
His Own Medicine.

DR.. and Mrs. Morton had finished
tiifin, and were discussing some private
theatricals, which, followed by ball,
were to take place that evening at the
mess-house of the --th. The subject
was delicate one, for on it they held
decided, but unfortunately divided
opinions. The doctor had a prejudice
against such things, and, though in
most respects very indulgent to his
pretty little wife, objected to her at
tending them. She, however, was
bent on doing so.
"You know, dear, that it is the very
last Of the season, and every one will
be there"
"And you know my rooted objection
to these entertainments, Ada, why do
you urge me?'
"Then when shall l ever have an op-
portunity Of showing off that lovely
pink and silver cloak you got from
Madras on my birthday?" pouted the
young wife.
"Ah, that is deeply important mat
ter" laughed the doctor. eve must
see if we can't get up dance in our
bungalow, little woman continued he
somewhat inconsequently.
"But that won't be bail and the
atricals tonight; and by that time
Daddahbhoy, Rumanagee and the other
Parsees will have their shops filled
with the new-fashioned cloak, while as
yet mine is the only one Of the canton
ment. I really do think, William, you
might let me go. am sure I sit pa
tiently enough through those solemn
dinners and scientific reunions Of
which you are so fond"
"Well, well, as it is the very last of
the season, l suppose I must be amia-
bic for once; but"
"Oh, that's dear, good, disagreed
BILE old thing" said his wife, giving
him kiss and without waiting to
hear more, in hutter of delight she
left the room.
When left to himself the doctor pom
dered their late conversation, and left
by no means satisfied with his share in
it. Still, having consented, he deter
mined to do so with a good grace, and,
on Mrs. Morton presently re-entering
to look for something, he said, "By the
way, dear, when shall order the pa
lanquin for you?"
Still continuing her search she re-
replied rather absently, ooh, any time,
l shall only want it returning; the
Hills will call for me going"
DR.. Morton was taken aback.
49," he exclaimed, "you had ar
ranged to 60 Tith-or without-my
CONSENT"
With a little start, she answered
somewhat confusedly, Well, ! thought
you would be sure to give me leave,
William, and ="
"As you have chosen to act so Who'll
ly independently" interrupted her
husband, angrily, II withdraw the
consent I so unwittingly gave. The
house shall be closed at the usual hour,
and if you do not happen to be at home
at II o'clock, we do not sleep under
the same roof this night" And in
high displeasure DR.. Morton left the
house; nor did he return for more than
a couple of hours, during which his
mood had more than once changed.
The first irritation over, he felt that it
was hard upon his pet to deny her the
pleasure to which but the moment be-
fore he had assented. How would he
bear to spend the long evening oppo-
site that disappointed, wistful little
face? 1t began, too, to dawn upon
him that "the whole cantonment -
which in India, where private life is
more distinctly public property than
in any other corner Of the world, stands
for our esteemed old friend, Mrs.
Grundy-might. as has ever been its
wont, put an unkind construction on
motives it did not understand; might
hint that he was not 50 much standing
by his principles-which in fact, he
had yielded--as avenging his own Of
Tended dignity. The result of all
which cogitation was that if, on his re-
turn home, he should find that she had
accepted both disappointment and re-
buke in a proper spirit, much, indeed
all, dependent on that-she should go
with their friends to the ball; or even
in the probable event of their having
already called, he would show his mag
nanimity by taking her himself. Just
then a carriage drove swiftly past his;
he recognized it to be the Hills's, and
in it could he credit his senses ?-all
radiant with smiles, wrapped in her
new cloak sat his wife, who, in merry
defiance, kissed her hands to him as
they passed.
Both ball and theatricals were de-
lightful, and none enjoyed them more
Ibon tbo ,.nIotiIa and fa acip n n ino Mrs