Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-05-16

CT, wis Itlhts,eu III ~ nlOncnt. she
picked up and replaced the scattered APP
Iarel, folded the snowy cravats, warmed
her husbands overshoes, and saw that the
beautiful little communion service, pre-
scented by lady of the parish, and con
secrated 10 such sufferers rs Maggie Car.
penter, was i'm readiness. Before he left
the house Mr.. Ashton had forgotten both
his frctfulness and its cause. He kissed
his wife, thanked her for her trouble and
strobe away with his usual elastic steI
and pleasant face.
Chrissey watched him from the door
till he turned into the next street, and
then went back To the iireside and to heI
own reflections.
This frctfulness and tendency to be
greatly disturbed at little matters was
almost her husbands only fault He
was self.sacrifcing to the last degree,
faithful and indefatigable as an apostle
in all his professional labors, liberal to a
fault, and in his administration of parish
matters wise and conciliating To ali. He
could bear real injuries with the greatest
patience, and was never known to harbor
resentment.
But with all these good qualities Mr..
Ashton's one fault threatened 10 disturb
and finally 10 destroy the comfort of his
married life. If his wife, by extravaganza
or bad management had wasted hisincome
and involved him in difficulties, il is prob
able that he would never have spoken an
unkind word toher; but the fact of but
ton being missing, or book removed
from its place, would produce lamenta-
ton half indignant and half pathetic,
which rung in Chrissey's ears, and made
her heart ache long after Clement had
forgotten the circumstance altogether.
Strange as it may seem, Mr.. Ashton had
never thought of this habit, Of which he
was but imperfectly conscious, as a fault.
He thought, indeed, that il was pity
he should be so sensitive, and sometimes
said that he wished he had not such a
love for order and symmetry, for then he
should not be so often annoyed by the
disorderly habits Of other people. He
said to himself that il was one of his pc.
culiar trials--that even Chrissey, perfect
as she was, did not come up to his ideas
in this respect; but that his peculiar
trials, n ho was pleased to call them,
ever became trials to other people, he
did not imagine. He had remarked, in
apite Of himself that Chrissy's face was
not as cheerful, nor her spirits as light as
when they were first MARI III; and he
regretted that the cares Of housekeeping
should weigh so heavily upon her; but
nothing was further from his thoughts
than that anything in himself could have
produced the change,
Mr.. Ashton, exhausted with his days
work. turned towards home with his
mind and heart full Of all he had seen
and felt. lie sld very little during din
ner, but when the table was removed,
and he sat down in his drcssng-gown and
slippers before the fire, he related " his
wife all the events of the day, describing
with the enthusiasm of his earnest
nature, the patience and holy resignation
he had witnessed, and ended by saying
Certainly religion has power to sus.
tain and console under all trials, and
under every misfortune"
Except the loss of n button," replied
Chrissey, seriously. "That is a misfor-
tune which neither philosophy nor reli-
gion can enable one to sustain"
Rev. Mr.. Ashton started as though q
pistol had been discharged at his ear.
"Why, what do you mean, ChriSsey?'
Gust what | say" returned Chrissey,
with the same soberness. yourself, for
instance; you can endure with the great
est resignation the loss of friends and
misfortune; i never saw you ruflled by
rudcness or abuse from others, or show
any impotence under severe pain; but
the loss of button from your shirt, or a
nail from the carpet, gives you perfect
right to be unreasonable, unkind, and-I
must say it--unchristian"
Mr.. Ashton arose, and walked up and
down the room in some agitation.
81 did not think, my love-" he said ut
last, in trembling tone, chat you would
attach So much importance to single
hasty word. Perhaps | spoke too quick
ly; but even if it were 80, did we not
promise to be pitient with each others
infirmities? ] am sure | am very glad
to bear with"
Mr.. Ashton paused; he was an en-
inently truthful man, and, upon consid-
Grafton, he really could not remember
that he had ever had anythin. to bear
from his wife.
"lf II were only once, my dear hts
band, | should say nothing abo,j; it; but
you do not in the least seem nv are how
the habit has grown upon you There
has not been a day this week In which
you have not made my heart ache by
some such outhurst of fretfuncs,."
Mr. Ashton was astonishcd; but as he
began to reflect, he was still more sur
prised to find that his wife's accusati n
was true. One day it had been about the
front door mat, and the next about
mislaid Rerie'c, and then about lost
pair Of gloves, which after all were found
in his own pocket.
AS his conscience brought forward one
instance after another of unkindness, he
sat down again and covered his face with
his hands.
"But that is not the worst" continued
Chrissey, becoming agitated in her turn.
al fear-I cannot help fearing-that /
shall be led to feel as Fought not towards
you, | fear lest shall in time lose the
power of respecting my husband; and
when respect goes, Clement, love does
not last long. This very morning /
found myself wishing had never known
you"
Chrissey burst into tears, n very UNI
usual demonstration for her; and Glenn
ent, springing up, traversed the room
once or twice, and then sat down at his
wife's side.
"Christiana," he said mournfully, "is
it come to this? ] have deserved i'll
feel that | have--but to lose your respect,
your love--my punishment is greater
than l can bear, Chrissey."
at was but the thought of moment"
replied Christiana, checking her sobs;
"but am frightened that the idea
should have entered my mind. II
should cease to love you, Clement, /
should die I would rather die this mo-
ment."
"God Forbid" calculated her husband,
clasping her in his arms. "But why, my
dearest love, have you not told me of
this beforeT'
at is neither grateful nor gracious
Office for wife to reprovc her husband,
or a woman her PASTOR" replied Chris