The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-08-02
DISCONTENTED.

My friend is very plain, homespun
sort of a man, who takes matter-of-fact
views of things. and entertains COM
nonsense opinions. Yet he is a man
of taste-proud, sensitive and particu-
lar-though not by any means grum-
bier or fault-tinder.
He is professional man, dresses
well, attends to his business, makes a
good living, and something besides,
and has everything around him COM
Portable and in order.
He passed the meridian of life some
years since. His locks are grey, his
head is bald. but his step is yet firm,
and countenance rather stern in re-
pose is usually lighted up with smile,
while the hearty laugh that anon
breaks out reveals a remarkably fine
set of teeth-but | would not like to
say whether they are natural or artiti-
cial.
The members of his family have all
reached maturity, and it would seem
that he might feel very contented and
happy in his own snug little home, free
an earthly home well can be.
Yet my friend is not quite happy; he
has skeleton in his shouse-rather airy
and ghostlike, must confess. yet new
ertheless skeleton-a veritable cause
of sadness, if not of sorrow.
my wife," says he, lis one of the
strangest women | ever saw. She can
never see any beauty or merit in any
thing that she possesses, or that sur
rounds her in her own home"
perhaps that is only an expression
of her natural modesty and lack of
self-esteem," | suggested.
mo, that is not it, he replied. at
is her disposition to depreciate every
thing she has, while she Over-estimates
and goes into ecstacies over everything
she sees her neighbors have"
THAT may be-" l added, sowing to
the fact that she is familiar with the
defects of the articles she uses and
sees every day, while she is not cogni-
zant of the deficiencies of those pos
sessed by her neighbors. But it is un-
fortunate, if it makes her dissatisfied
and complaining"
"Oh, she never complains nor finds
fault; nor does she ever indulge in ex-
pressions of satisfaction, or act as if
she felt contented and happy. have
tried time and again to carry home
something that would surprise and
please her and awaken some excla-
nation of admiration and enthusiasm.
But it is of no use. All my efforts fall
dead.
THAT is rather discouraging," 1 an
swered.
Yes" continued he. ITO illustrate,
/ will give an incident OF two. She had
a good silk bonnet-good enough for
most women to wear; but thought !
would surprise and please her little.
So l bought her a. fine black silk velvet
hat-as nice as could find-richly but
not gaudily trimmed. l would not
have it sent home-I carried the band
box myself. l wanted to enjoy pleas
ant surprise. walked triumphantly
into the sitting-room with it, and put
it on the table before her.
''She opened it and examined the
bonnet, picked at the feathers, inspect
ed the lace, and every article of trim
ming, not excepting the material. !
felt sure all must be right, and Iwaited
for word. But no word came, and
she quietly laid the hat in the box and
put on the cover. / began to feel a
little fidgety.
"'WeIl, said l, how do you like ite'
".Oh,' she replied, it is very nice;
but you ought to see Mrs. Jones's vel
vet hat-royal purple, and such a
beauty!
.'It was all up with me. My heart
figuratively sank into my boots, and
actually felt weak in the knees as
left the room"
He paused for a moment, and a
shade of deep melancholy settled ovel
his countenance. | said nothing and
there was a pause of half a minute.
Then, seeming to recollect himself, he
looked up, the muscles of his face re-
laxed, and he indulged in kind OF
forced laugh.
hat?" enquired /.
''Yes; and upon my word it was moi
half so good looking nor expensive 8
hat as l carried home. But l never
broached the subject again to my wife
'Shortly after, he continued, ''wher
had in a measure recovered from the
shock, / made up my mind to purchase
my wife a black silk velvet cloak.
did not couns cost. ] searched till
found one that suited me, and which
thought would suit her. ! ordered i
sent home, and was sure to be there
when it was delivered. | was certain
this time | should make hit, as haC
heard her express desire for such a
cloak. But l was again doomed tt
disappointment. Mrs. Smith had one
"a green OF blue, or some other in
appropriate color-that was great
way ahead. 1t was of no use; l have
subsidized and given up all hope O
pleasing her"
perhaps you would succeed better L
you allowed her TO select these things,
/ suggested.
No, believe / have tried to hav'
her do that, but she insists on my pick
ing and choosing for her, though
have never yet succeeded in making
her say she was pleased with my pur
chase.
sAnd it is just so, continued he
ssabout my house and furniture. Sh'
never finds fault, and she never ap
proves. She is bundle of silent neg
atives. We visited a neighbor's th'
other day.. and she was in raptures
about the furniture, the finish of tn,
house, and everything about it. Yet.
knew all the time everything in tina
house was greatly inferior to mine j