The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-07-17
The First Quar-, ell.

"There, Nell, what do you think of
il? Isn't it beauty" And there was
ring of genuine pleasure in John How
sons voice as, thus speaking, he raised
his eyes from a beautiful picture of
THE Holy Family" which he had just
unpacked.
g 1t is beautyp agreed his young
wife.
"And what splendid oak frame |
Dear old Mrs. Markham; how good of
her to send i'll Well, we've been mar
ried six months, John, 80 l think hers
is the last of our wedding gifts; but"
she added with enthusiasm, "it GER
tainly isn't the least, is it?"
-" No, indeed! Where will you have
it hung? Over the mantel-shelf, won't
your"
"Oh, yes"; she decided promptly,
and those texts can go to that blank
space against the door,"
"Well, I'll see to it at once, dear, if
you'll fetch the little steps whilst get
my tool-box."
Nell did SO.
A few minutes later he was prepar-
ing the place for the new gift, and as
he removed the texts he slowly re-
peated the words of each: "Doest thou
we'll to be angry?" and "a soft answer
turneth away wrath" A very good
pair, dear" he added with smile.
Yes, but we haven't yet needed
such hints, john" she answered mer-
rily; "why, we haven't spoken angrily
to each other since we were married,
have we.'
"No, DEAR" and as he spoke he Sc
lected nail from the box.
"That won't be long enough" she
remarked, looking doubtfully at the
chosen one. "This would be better"
and she pointed to the largest in his
possession.
He shook his head.
mo, Nell, this is the one; the other
would make too large a hole in the
wall. Look at its fiat point.' And he
proceeded to hammer the smaller one
in.
Il tell you, John, it won't be nearly
strong enough" she demonstrated,
"that oak frame ia very heavy
Yes, and if it were twice its weight
this nail could bear it. Come, Nell, re-
member Pm a carpenter; surely 1
ought to be able to judge such little
| ludltCl DO OlNO LuO Gp tuS plO-
ture."
mot to hang on that nail; Pm posi-
tive it wouldn't be long before there
would be crash. l don't want my
clock and ornaments smashed"
Don't be silly, hand it up"
mo" and Nell shook her head de-
terminedly
"Then l must fetch it myself" and
a shade of annoyance Was on his face
as he descended the steps.
Nell glanced at him with flashing
eyes.
"How obstinate you are, John; you
always think you know better than
other people" she declared, pettishly.
Come, come, little woman, that
sounds rather sharp," and there was
ring of perple xi'y in his tone. You
surely don't intend to ny to quarrel?
Now, do you think that d be SO silly
as to risk smash of our pretty knick-
knacks?'
Eyes, rather than not have your
own way" was the pettish reply.
"Nell!' he exclaimed, with mingled
surprise and vexation-then, question
ingly, "Whatever else do you think?"
"That you fancy you're always 60
ing to have your own way; but mind ,
you'll find yourself mistaken; and if
yon do put up that picture on that
stupid nail I'll take it down as soon as
you're gone and hang it on the big one
so there"
The instant these sentences had
passed Nell's lips she regretted having
spoken them-and no wonde1-for they
instantly brought upon her husbands
face look which she had never seen
there before.
"Well, Nell" and he sighed heavily
as he spoke, " am donel But there"
he added quietly, " I'll not add fuel to
the fire. III leave you to manage the
picture as you think best--I'll not in
terfere with it; no, I'll be off to Kill
burn, 1 arranged to go by the seven
train, but-but I'll go by the $3.50
shall just about have time to catch it,"
Aud then he paused and looked visit
fully at her, but she only pushed up her
lip sullenly, then turned her head away
from him.
"Say good bye, Nell" he pleaded af-
fectionately, laying hand gently on
her shoulder, sit isn't far to go, but
but one never knows what may hap
pen"
"Good. bye" she muttered impa-
tiently, and without turning her face
towards him. " You'd better be quick
or you'll lose your train"
"Oh, NELL" and his tone betrayed
mingled sorrow and reproach, but it
produced no good effect on her at the
moment; she shrugged her shoulders
contemp,uously, and seeing the act he
left the room. Then she turned her
head in the direction of the door, and
as che did SO her eyes fell on the text
on the table waiting to be hung up.