The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1888-09-21
WITHOUT FAULT.

into HlS head 10 propose TO us vic thaG
they should plainly and honestly make
known the faultsthat each undiscovered
in the other since they mad been man and
wife.
Mrs. Martiu, after some hesitation,
agreed TO the proposal, STIMULATING, hoy-
ever, tins the recital should be honestly
made, and with the sole aim of mutual
amendment. The husband was Of the
same mind, and the wife asked him to
lead of with her faults.
John Martin coughed and looked
askance ut his demtire little wife. He
was 10th to begin. He stroked his beard,
shuffled his feet, and cleared his throat,
but no word did he utter,
"Well, my dear, as you were the first to
propose this matter, and rs you are the
head of the house, it seems but Just for
you to speak first"
Thus urged, John Martin gave - pre-
liminarv chem" cast u dubious glance
towards his wife, who, with her plump,
dimpled hands folded in hersnowy apron,
and with serious face, sat looking straight
before her, and thus began:
Dear child, the first fanlt that | have
to mention is that you 10 not keep the
tinware rs bright as it should be, 1t fire.
UtlStlblD SUDMS Stsilio VI HlllbAt. NY
mother always kept her tin;vare burn
ished like silver"
"Thank you, dear, for mentioning it,
and Mrs. Martin slightly colored. "In
future you shall see no stain or speck on
cup, pot or pan. Go on, dear"
John Martins face frightened, and his
voice became less husky, as he proceeded.
Il have also observed that you often
.. MI. a1-4i. - -JSe ~ two.
without washiEg, ard finally throw them
away. Now my mother always washed
her dish-cloths when done using them,
then hung them up to dry, ready for the
next time she wouldnee them"
Blushing rs before, the young wife
promised to amend in Thu psrticular.
81 nave noticed that you throw away
not n little dry bread. Now, l remember
that when at home my mother never
threw dry bread into the scrap-basket, but
utilized it in making very palatable pud-
dings.i
The color deepened on Mrs. Martins
checks, and descended to her neck as she
said:
'"Thank You, dear. | shall not forget.
Pray proceed"
Being now thoroughly warmed up with
| his SllBJtGb, sttltl !Aii9 !tti4lSIiNi Npbh hh7
cruise for faults of omission and commits
sion, John Martins timiditydisappeared,
and in a clear earnest voice he continued
till he had brought forth quite a formid-
able array Of faults. lie then heaved Il
sigh of relief and declared he could think
of nothing more.
Tho young housewife sat in silence, her
chin auivering and u something rising in
-, +l,1o+ fJa+ ,--Dtt1,1 NOT HE1otr-n -
"Now, my dear, proceed!' cried John
Martin. "Tell me all the faults you have
observed in me since our marriage, and
spare me not
care you sure, dear, that you have
thought of all my faultss said Mrs. Mar
tin. Can you not think OF some other
little thing in which l have failed?"
"Well, dear, said John, stroking his
beard and gazing fxcdlya at the toes OF his
boots, "well, | nave sometimes thought
that the windows are not kept quite as
clean as my mother kept those of her
house"
"Ifear you are right, John, eulped the
little wife.
"Now, dear, for my f%aults!' cried John
Martin; pile them upon my head
The under-lipo of the little woman trem-
bled. For It moment she sat silent, then
suddenly rising and throwing her arms
about her husbands neck, she burst into
tears.
"What have / done2 What have 1
doneY' cried John Martin.
ooh John, my husband, | am unworthy
of you! How often, dear, must | have
pained and worried you? | fear I have
driven all love from your heart. Oh,
John, John, bear with me, teach me. 1
will amend in all things!'
'Nonsense, NONSENSE, Mary! I love you
as | love my life-far better than when
you became my wife, Go on, dear, and
tell me my faults. Dry your tears and
give it to me-"
"Mydear husband, you have not Il fault
in the ~world-not n FAULT If have
even one, my love for you has so blinded
my eyes that l nave failed to see it. All
that you 10 or say seems good in my eyes.
You seem to do and say everything in the
best Manner, in such II way as always
makes me feel proud of you"
'But, good graeiou,l Mary, my dear!''
cried John Martin, his face r%eddening and
his voice becoming thick with emotion
good gracious, Mary! just think; why,
here | have gone GA and found all man
ner of fault with you! Now, / know l
have many faHlts-tcn times us many as
you have, or ever Will have, poor child!
Let me have them; show me upt''
"Indeed, husband, it is e. | tell you;
you havcnot u single fault that / can see.
You seem at all times to do chat which is
right and best. Bear with NE, john