The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-02-06

woman's cheeks, and a cheerful smile
showed itself as she spread the third
slice of bread for young Otis and cut
up chop for Annie. Her own break
fast was as yet untasted. Mr.. Grey saw
it all and uttered little forcible word
concerning his own stupidity.
In less than five minutes he checked
himself as he was about to say that his
wife was less careful of the children's
table manners than she had been with
Edith, but mathematical hinge in his
brain led him to remember the differ
ence between five and one.
He certainly was improving. Had he
not checked himself several times? He
started down town quite in love with
himself.
1t was very pleasant at the office;
every one was glad to see the junior
partner back and matters had gone on
swimmingly.
At the MONDAY dinner, which Mr..
Grey insisted upon for hygienic rea-
sons, the children were, If possible,
happier than ever. The soup was good,
the roast excellent, and the vegetables
done to turn.
Suddenly Ned overturned glass of
water and his mother was informed
"that such tumblers were not fit for
children, and he was surprised that she
gave them drinking glasses calculated
for their elders.'
So the day wore on and Mr.. Grey
went to the library at night while his
wife went to to the nursery and spent
two hours in putting little heads on
plump pillows and making matters
ready for the morning. Mr.. Grey med
itated.
When his wife crept softly down
stairs lest Roy should know she had
left him, she found Mr.. Grey looking
over tiny book. The first page was
covered with mysterious characters.
The woman who looked down upon
them was tired from the crown of her
shapely head 10 the tips of her toes,
but her first thought was for him.
"Your list of duties for the day?"
she asked !" it must have been 80 hard
for you; l have thought of you many
times, and l have tried to keep the
children quiet while you were in the
house, but they are nearly irrepressible,
and l am not quite willing to become
an animated cont in their eyes"
stricken than ever.
81 must tell you the story, Allie, and
read you this shameful record, after
which you may forgive me, although ]
do not pretend to deserve it,"
He told her of the old apple woman
in Liv, rpool, of the storm at sea, of his
one resolution and his experience foi
just one day.
1t was not long list which he read
aloud, but il stood as follows. The lis.
tening woman heard him with sur.
prise:-
x Snow-price paid.
X Coffee-full cup.
X Cook-careless:
X Steps-untidy.
X Water-spilled
X Table manners Of children.
X Rolls-too brown.
x Gas-too much burned.
X Window shades-uneven.
X nace-badly managed.
X Newspapers-never where wanted.
x Milk bill-preposterously large.
X Wife's hair-new style unbecoming
x Cane broken by children.
X Poorest broken, other people hat
things in order.
"There, little woman, that is an hon
est record as far as l know, but l dare
not tell you the number of times wa'
checked in season. When think Of
all the years 1 have tried you witt
needless comment on trifling matters,
wonder that you tolerate me-"
And she, gentle, loving, and forgiy
ing, knew that their lives would bt
richer and fuller for this confession
Kate Iannatt Woods, in Buffalo Ne,os