The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-02-16

But there wssn't a single thing in place
when Harry came home last night;
nothing mean, except the furniture.
All the books and knick-knacks were
piled into the closet, and the pictures
were standing around--you see every
picture nail was pulled out of the wall
and it was anything but easy to drive
them in again, so far up. Well. l asked
Harry TO wipe the dishes for me after
tea, so we could get to work as soon as
possible.
OF course l supposed he'd help me and
be glad to do it. But what do you think
Aunt Eunice? He just came into the
sitting room, threw himself down on the
lounge. and took newspaper out of his
pocket | never was so astonlshed in
my life. / was too astonished to speak
even, so didn't speak. went for the
step ladder, dragged it along to the man
tie piece, and climbed up on il to pound
that great nail into the wall My ham
mer wasn't half big enough, either, and
hurt my hand awfully-see therel and
she pointed to little bruise on one of
her fingers. Then got down again and
lifted that Madonna, your wedding pres
ent, Aunt Eunice, and managed-I'm
sure ! don't know how-to get it on to
the nail. just as was pulling the lad
der away, Harry became conscious of
what was about.
Oh, let me help you ! he cri' as
pleasant as possible, threw down his pa.
per, and took hold of the ladder. By
that time l was just furious. Think of
his not noticing and not trying to help
me all that time ! No, l thank you, I
said, as hatefully as | possibly could;
'tisn't likely you would feel any partic-
ular interest IN fixing up your own
home. II you could have seen the look
he gave me ! But didn't appear to no.
tice him. The ladder was so heavy l
had all could do to manage it. gave
it a vicious twist, and it toppled over,
struck the mantle and the picture. and
smashed the glass in fifty pieces. Harry
laughed, and that was the worst of all.
Will you let me help you now ? he said.
No, | won't, Harry Bronson. never as
long as live! He gave me that queer
look again, muttered something-I don't
know what, but Harry never swears-
WYNN W. NO nav anu lNlb NllC llOuNbs vi
course | expected him back in a few
minutes, but Aunt Eunice, and Mrs.
Bronson laid her hand on her aunt's
knee to emphasize the statement which
she made in m, st impressive manner
it was half past II before he came
back OF course | was in bed, though
| worked the whole evening as hard as
| could spring, you know how you can
work when your temper's up-though |
don't suppose you do, Aunt Eunice, she
added You're too good.
Mrs. Rowland smiled significantly and
shook hel head.
Harry thought was asleep when he
came, but didn't sleep one bit night.
We didn't speak to each other this
morning either, not-One-single-w word!
| meyer was so miserable in all the days
of my life, and Harry won't be home till
six O'Clock tonight
The temporary excitement of her talk
died away in another storm of tears.
Mrs. Rowland frightened the clasp of
her arm about her neice's waist.
Well talk this over some time when
you're not so excited, she said gently. |
insist upon your lying down for an hour
and using all the will power you possess
20 get calm again.
But the house is in such a state, and
then there's lunch, and
Never mind about the house. | can
help you myself when Pm little rested
and We needn't think about lunch for
three hours yet.
Mrs. Rowland had her way, as she
generally did; and for that reason it was
fortunate that her way was generally a
wise one. She sat beside her niece until
the tears ceased flowing, and the tense,
narrowed nerves gradually relaxed I'M
der her soothing presence, then left her
to fall asleep if possible.
Twenty minutes after, Harry Bronson
came home. He greeted Mrs. Rowland
as affectionately as his wife had done,
then looked anxiously into the next
room.
Where's Sis ? he Inquired.
Up stairs-asleep, hope. | made her
lie down. But why are you home at
this hour, Harry
l don't feel well, Aunt Eunice. did
not sleep much last night. The fact is,
and he looked as if she would find it a
hard one to believe, l treated Sis like a
brute last night.
Mrs. Howland's eyes invited further
confidence.
You see, he went on with a sort of
desperation, we've been all torn up here
lately. painting and papering, She has
had hard time of it, for we couldn't
afford to hire much help. l have it
hard. too, all the time shaving at my
desk from morning till night. I'm al
way tired out when l get home. was
last night, but | offered to wipe the
dishes for her, she looked so dragged
out. After that lay down to rest and
read the paper. The first thing knew
there was Sis tugglng away at great
step ladder heavy for a man to handle.
jumped up to help her-but l won't
tell you what she said. | couldn't be-
lieve my ears If she wanted me to
help her why didn't she say So? / should
think that was easy enough.
Yes, 1t was easy enough in one way,
and altogether to hard in another. Prob.
ably she wanted you to do it without
her asking.
But didn't think Of it.
Very likely that was the whole trouble.
She might have been hurt because you
didn't think.
Pshaw! That's unreasonable We've
never quarrelled before since we were
married. | couldn't stand it, going off
this morning as | did, so ] got away
from the office to-to-I know l was to
blame. Sis was as tired as l was, and
she's not half so strong. don't wonder
abe hated to ask me, if ! was too stupid
to see. 1t was all my fault.
No, 'twasn't Harry, twas all mine
They both started as a figure with
white face and red eyes ran into the
room and into her husbands arms. The
little domestic drama which followed
might have been awkward to any othe r
third party but Mrs. Rowland.
When you can each appropriate the
blame in that wholesale fashion, she
8 id, smiling upon them both, | think
you can be trusted for the future.
Bat how could we have done it in the
first place Mrs Bronson asked with
vague phraseology.
You each have good deal of that
troublesome article, human nature, the
elder lady replied. One is too sensitive.
the other too thoughtless. One sees
things In detail as women usually do, the
other in the large. A days difference
in getting a house to rights is a great
deal OF difference to the housekeeper. 1t
may very naturally seem of very slight
account to the man who spends all his
days down town. | suppose you see
how the same principle might apply to
many different things.
Mrs. Bronson nodded her head vigor-
ously, lifting it from her husbands
shoulder for the purpose.
1t is certainly unreasonable to expect
that the man and woman will see things
from exactly the same point of view,
Mrs. Rowland went on, yet half of the
misery Of married life comes from fail
= 4 49, l..