The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-12-05
AN wEXECRABLE PICTURE.
1t Taught a Young Couple a Lesson
in Forbearence.

ness may | wear horns forever, like my
iendish prompter. Father and mother
dote upon you; won't you try to love
them, petY"
Thus spoke a young and handsome hus-
band to his beautiful bride during their
honeymoon, while on a visit to his par
ents.
The youthful Rosa folded her hands
meekly over her bosom and answered
solemnly:
Wilbur, thy people shall be my peo-
pie"
So far good, but soon misunderstand-
ings and heartaches, arising from cor
fiicting tastes and habits, overshadowed
their little romance.
The happy couple became tired of
visiting and, disguised with boarding,
then they went to housekeeping, and,
having ample means, furnished their
house in elegant style. Rosa vas satis-
fed, but thought that one more picture
was needed to fill a certain vacancy on
the parlor wall, and whenever she ex-
pressed a particular wish for anything
Wilbur, lover like, was quick to crafty
it. One day she was surprised and de-
lighted to find that he had placed one
there. She was a woman of cultivated
tastes, and was really shocked upon ex-
aiming it more closely.
1t was a representation of the death of
Washington-the mourning family with
different expressions of grief upon their
countenances were grouped around the
dying hero; a negro, black as night,
peeped from behind the drapery of the
bed, while above lowered the goddess of
liberty with a sorrowful, half averted
face. 1t was painted in glowing colors
in most execrable taste.
Rosa turned away in dismay, and met
the smiling eyes of her husband, who had
entered unperceived.
"What do you think of it, dear?" he
pleasantly inquired.
"It is the most horrible daub l ever
saw" she replied, scornfully.
''Daub, Rosa? The painting is m
what faulty, l admit, but the design is
fine, is it not? Observe the figure of
Liberty mourning the loss of her cham
pion."
''Indeed," said his wife, mischievously,
ST can't decide whether the goddess is
weeping over the dead general OF over
the intensely black negro, who appears
to be wiping his nose upon the curtains.
/ suppose this is one of your jokes, Will
bur, but pray remove this unsightly blot
Immediately, lest some inopportune Wis
itor happen in and shame u.s."
"No, Rosa; l intend it shall remain"
he replied emphatically; cit is a very
impressive picture"
every" said she, sarcastically, "noth-
ing can be more impressive than a death
scene-it is especially suggestive for the
walls of a parlor."
"Rosa!'
"Wilbur!i
"You are a fool" he exclaimed, with
rising anger.
s'Then I'm not a suitable wife for a
gentleman of discriminating tastes and
p~oliteness,'' she retorted with bitterness.
Then she rushed to her own room,
threw herself upon a chair, flung her
arms half across the table and burst into
81 storm of hysterical sobs.
All their little variances rose to her
mind; how very singular that Wilbur
should admire this odious picture; she
had often heard his judicious comments
upon various works of art; never before
had she known him to be so deficient in
Judgment. Surely there must be some
hidden motive for such conduct.
What could it be? The longer she en-
tertained this idea the more convinced
she became that there was @ mystery at
tached to it, and a feeling of Jealousy
was aroused in her heart.
While i~ndulging in the luxury OF this
good cry a lady friend called and she was
obliged to calm herself sufficiently to re-
ceive her
''Dear Mrs Plant" she exclaimed, pit
eously, II am very unhappy; Wilbur has
called me a fool-and IL thought that
the first year of married life was always
the happiest."
mot always, dear Rosa; it takes years
to learn the ms and outs of each others
character, as well as to assimilate in
habits and tastes, but don't be disconso-
late; love has as many lives as the pro-
verbal cat"
"You can joke, Mrs. Plant, but l feel
my heart is breaking"
"Well-well, dear, one of the most
in%supportable pangs that can affiict the
sensitive heart, disenehanting forever
the bright illusions of life, is the first
doubt Of the idol of our Affections re-
piled her friend, laughing; "but serious
ly. Rosa, / am a veteran and have passed
through many a slight skirmish. Come,
cheer up; your heart is tender, but not
past mending. You must go home with
ME over the river; l dare say that irate
husband of yours has already eaten his
way through a whole bill of fare. De-
pend upon it, if he starves his love for
a while, he will not starve his stomach"
Rosa accompanied Mrs. Plant TO her
handsome home, leaving word for her
husband that she would return the next
day. While crossing the ferry her friend,
noticing her sadness, sought to divert
her thoughts from that dreadful epithet
of fool" which she said was ringing in
her ears continually.
Rosa" she said pleasantly, you must
net allow trifies to worry you so. Men
are tickle creatures at best. Let me tell
you a secret; it may be helpful to you.
II was not my Charles first love; you