Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-06-19
MOXON'S GRIEVANCES.
They Made Life a Burden to Him
self and Family.

Alice Weldon. after a short visit to
Plympton, became engaged to Edward
Moxon, OF that place, and few
months later married him. All OF her
friends rejoiced in her good fortune.
Mr.. Moxon was one OF the most influ-
entail men in Plympton. He was a
man OF high integrity and scholarly
tastes; he was young, singularly hand
some, gentle and honorable; in word,
Christian gentleman. He had inher-
tied the family homestead, a large
mansion in the midst of great es-
tate. and he spared no pains nor cost
now in fitting and decorating 1t, being
resolved that every thing in her new
home should tell his wife of his love
and care.
People in Plympton said to each
other, significantly: Now, surely,
Ned Moxon will at last be n happy
man,
But on the morning OF the wedding
day, while the sun was shining, and
Alice, in her white robes, her blue
eyes besming with love. came to meet
him, his brow suddenly grew black.
He pointed to the wedding presents.
THE SCOTS in Plympton, see, have
sent you a miserable pair OF sugar.
tongs! Now, what can that meanp
The SCOTS are among my nearest
friends; they know how much l have
done to serve them. Did you observe
these sugar-tongs, Alice? Cheap, and
light weight! Picked up at some auc-
ton, no doubt"
Dear Edward, what does it matterp
What do we care for sugar-tongs to-
day?"
81 hope, Alice" he said, gravely,
"that you do not suppose l care for
tho sugar-tongsp II is the affection
which they represent, or rather, do
not represent. The SCOTS have been
very dear to me. There is something
underneath this which do not under
stand"
"Do not let us think OF it now" said
Alice.
The guests were gathering in the
parlor below; the minister had come.
She trembled and grew pale. while her
sisters, sobbing and laughing, ar
ranged her vail. Edward soothed her
tenderly. He was quite alive to the
imminence of the moment. But just
before they went down, he drew her
aside and said: "You wronged me,
Alice, in supposing that / cared for the
sugar-tongs as sugar-tongs. They ex-
press to me lack OF friendship where
have right to expect it. And your
mistake shows a lack OF confidence in
me which"
"Oh, Edward, you are not angry
with me now?" she cried.
mot angry" he said, in tone OF
patient suffering, "but hurt. Come.
dear, they are waiting"
Alice remembered with shame ever
afterward that the words OF the holy
rite were mingled in her mind with
the SCOTS and sugar-tongs.
On their wedding journey they Wis
tied New York and Boston, where
they were welcomed by hosts of
friends, who told each other that Ned's
cup OF happiness was full. He. him
belf, was sure OF IL. Alice grew more
lovely and near to his soul with each
day. But the affair OF the sugar-tongs
ranked in his mind.
"You wronged me. Alice" he told
her. "How could you suppose that /
cared for the money-value of the
wretched thingsp"
II never did, Edwardw she protest
ed. with tears. ''Neverm
well, we'll, let us dismiss the sub
,ect. Why do you cryp 1t is not you
who have suffered injustice"
How can you be angry at such
paltry thingp" she exclaimed, indig-
nantly.
Angry You wrong me again. I
am only hurt. You do not apparently
understand my character at all, Alice.
dear. We will speak no more of it,"
But the next day and the next the
Scott sugar-tongs were brought up
afresh, and the same weary round was
travelled over again.
There were other grievances. In
Boston the Purdys did not call upon
Alice for two days. They. too, were
his dear friends, and the neglect
showed lack OF affection at which
he was not angry, but hurt" At
Niagara an overcharge in the hotel
bill made him blind to the grandeur OF
the Falls, the tawdry-colorod lights
and the oddities OF the little town. all
OF which gave Alice such keen ENJOY.
mcnt.
don't think OF il, Edward" she
said. at was only fifty cents, after
ALL"
'ls IL possible, Alice, that you think
care for the money! 1t is the fact
that | have been overreached that
annoys me-"
II know. But"
mo, you do not know" he said,
with an air OF stern endurance. "You
think me mercenary. l am sorry.
Let us talk no more Of II"
Alice, at first. tried to laugh away
these grim and ugly suspicious in her
husbands brain; but that only made
their growth more rank. 81 am not a
sensitive man." he would say. 81 am
not apt to imagine sights. But when
am wounded to the quick by your in
justice, your misconception OF me, IL
is hard to hear you turn me into ridi-
Guile"
She tried then 70 argue him out OF