The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-03-29

the best pie ever put into mortal mouth.
But Mary's merinSue fares differently in
her new home
1t is not enough that her husband alb
solutely Gobbles the first piece and passes
his plate for another almost before the
last mouthful is swallowed. He doesn't
say anything. The fact that he liked the
pie well enough to eat half of it makes
no favorable impression upon the little
wife who had thought lovingly of all that
John would say and do as she squeezed
her lemons and whipped her eggs to
frothiness. Then how many times she
opened and shut that oven door to be sure
that the most delicate shade of brown
should be attained, and how rosy were
her cheeks, how bright her eyes as she
set the perfect pie away to cool and
danced off to array herself in her pref
test dress and wait for her husbands
coming.
Now, Johns failure to do more than
eat the pie with relish will seem very
small matter to the square rugged con-
science, which regards as morbid this con-
slant reaching out of the feminine soul
for something more tangible in the way
of appreciation. But Mary's enthusiasm
which quality, by the way, is the one
that can least be spared and is generally
the first to succumb-is dampened and
her feelings wounded. II John is at all
observant he sees that the little wife is
more quiet than usual. But he does not
suspect that this nice lemon meringue
has had anything to do with the tired
eyes and the strained manner. With
that masculine optimism which is bless
ing to the man, whatever it may be TO
the woman-the writer is thinking now
of really good FELLOWSHIP says to him
self: MARY has overworked. but she
will be all right tomorrow" And this
is quite satisfactory.
The question which his wife is hoping
and praying that he will ask does not
hurt, and yet not strong enough to rally
and be her own sweet self, broods over
this apparent indifference until time and
a more intimate acquaintance with her
husbands peculiarities changes the sore
spot into scar. If these conditions con-
tinue, though Mary may afterwards
make numberless pies, she will never
make another with the same loving
pleasure, the same beautiful enthusiasm.
True, John may not find fault with her
cooking, but he never praises it, and so
that subtle something, that most neces-
sary and most vital spiritual spring and
impulse which causes an affectionate
nature to do its best in anticipation of
more love, is killed and buried on the
very threshold of life. Such funeral
as this turns woman into an automa-
ton or a machine, and there are many
ouch machines in the world.
That such an education as Mary's is
not the ;sest education under the cir
cumstances, we are forced to admit,
but we are also obliged to admit that If
Mary's husband had been educated TO
meet enthusiasm with enthusiasm these
very qualities which have proved the
young wife's undoing would have made
an atmosphere of grace and refinement,
in which both husband and wife would
have grown nearer to each other and
nearer to the Great Heart of the uni
verse.
1t seems to the writer that the proper
course for Mary to have taken concern
ing that meringue pie would have been
after the meal was over to have seated
herself on her husbands kuee-provided
he was willing, and all good fellows are
and, with her arms about his neck, to
have asked him why he aid not say that
her PIE was good, and used this first OPP
portunity of assuring him that words Of
praise were exceedingly dear and ALSO
lutely necessary to her happiness, and
that partaking heartily of a deliCacy
made by her hands could never quite
satisfy her craving for appreciation
Such a proceeding, 50 frank a confession,
ID the start wou.d be sufficient 10 insure
the preservation and proper fostering Of
wifeIy enthusiasm in the future.
Let US praise our comrades while they I.
are still with US. ANA not wait to Tehearse /
to the minister VINO viii conduct the fu- (
neral exercises the capabilities and IN
selfish qualities OF our loved ones II is /
too late then.
The dying words of woman who had /
sinned and repented brings the tears to /
my eyes every time think OF them.
But why did you forsake your hus
band:' the broken hearted mother in
quirec.
God forgive me" was the tragic an
swer; that man praised me, and Tom
never did ELEANOR KIRK.