Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1886-02-03

oCCupy Inelr Hlnus puV suoh uhihSo nc
occurred within the range of their Wis.
ions. The japanese peasant shook his
bronze head spitefully one day when
they had been particularly affectionate
and remarked significantly to his mate
that some things made him i'll.
eyes, indeed" she replied, "and
don't opprovc of their actions in the
least. No one ever saw us act that
way"
81 should say not. If they want tc
spoon they ought to go into the pantry
with the knives and forks. This room is
no place to pass honeymoon"
"No, indeed" returned the peasant
girl. ut is positively disgusting Every
time look in their direction / feel as if
ought to cough to let them know that
they are not alone"
But whether the comments were favor.
able or adverse it made little difference
to the lovers. They were happy and
that was enough for them So selfish is
love, and tickle too. Luckily for story
writers even the warmcSt love cools in
time and our terra Gotta friends were nc
exception to the rule. Before the first
year had passed they behaved very much
the same as ordinary married couples,
and the inanimatc gossips of the mantcl
amused themselves by criticising his neg
lect of her in very much the same Ian,
guagc his previous devotion to her had
been expressed in.
What is advised to-day is criticised to.
morrow by parlor ornaments the same as
by the people who own them, so given is
this world to uppishness.
In the course of time another ornament
made its appearance. She was a beauti,
full marble statuctte. She was direct
from Paris and had been in this country
so short time that her speech was more
French than English. From the moment
she appeared the terra-c0tta troubadouI
paid no attention to any one else. This
was not altogether incomprchcnsiblc, how.
ever lie too was Of French descent, and
he spoke both languages as tluently as the
nature of his constitution would permit.
She asked him if he would teach her
English, and he was only too delighted
to be of service, so he said. At first the
little wife thought nothing Of her hus-
bands actions. She also was French and
sympathiscd with the new conner, but
after while she realized that she had
cause to be Jealous. lie grew more and
more ncglcctlul of her, and at last he
would hardly dcign to notice her at all.
For days together he never addressed a
word to her, so cngrossed was he in his
charming pupil.
Human nature is the same the world
over, and those philosophers who refuse
to ornament the characteristics of thcil
human owners do them serious injustice.
The marble statuctte was pleased with the
attentions of the troubadcur, his neglect Of
his wife for her delighted her vanity, and
besides this he was an entertaining fellow
when he wanted to be, and she was not in.
sensible to his unconccalcd admiration
Her heart was touched as much as such q
heart could be touched, but her con.
science was us cold as the marble of which
she was made.
"Do you ever play on your guitarl" she
asked Of him one day.
"No," he replied, ~ never thought Of
it before"
81 should think you would be bcauti-
ful player"
"Do you like guitar music?" he asked
after pause.
'1'm in love with it. In Paris it is all
the rage, and | know you could play de.
lishtfully,"
"Why do you think so?"
"You have such beautiful long fingers,
your arm is so graceful, and from YOU
face can see that you are born musi.
clan. Did you ever compose anythingT
"Ncver," he replied, feeling somewhat
ashamed of himself for the admission.
"I'm surprised" she returned with Il
smile of incredulity. She was skillful
actress, this cold marble damscl, and q
most experienced coquettc.
"No," he replied, 81 have never tried
to compose anything yet"
"But you certainly know how to play
musc2"
"Wcll, +" hcsitatcd the troubadour, "it
has been long time since l have done
anything in that line"
"You must change that at once. You
must practice on the guitar every day fol
my sake"
81 will do so, most assurcdly," he re.
turned 81 will begin Tomorrow"
"By the way" continued the siren,
"you have never sung for me yet"
"N-n-o," stammcrcd the troubadour,
who, if the truth were known, had nc
more voice than a China plaque and even
less knowledge Of music.
"Wcll, you must sing for me, too"
" am somewhat out of practice"
Never mind that, )" replied the statu-
cite with an enhancing smile 4 will
make all allowances for your modcsty.
know you do sing charmingly. Your
voice is so low and sweet"
"Do you really think so?" he asked,
half convinced against his judgment, SO
foolish is lover, and oh! how crcdu-
lous!
81 know it," she replied cmphotically.
'1f you were only on the operate stage
you would be one of the greatest singers
in the world, and managers would pay
you three thousand dollars night every
night in the week. Ladies would go
wild over you aud you would be dclugcd
with bouquets and love letters. am glad
though that YOU are not on the stage.