St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1901-07-03
THE HONEYMOON.

wet enough to damp the ardor of the
most devoted of bridegrooms. And
John Hampton was not the most de-
voted. He had married, as most eau
tious and selfish young men do, be-
cause he wanted a home and some one
to look after his home comforts. He
had tried housekeepers, but they had
| proved failures one and all. They
wanted too many evenings out, and
their appearance was not calculated to
decorate any smart little suburban
villa.
And so John meditated deeply about
the matter. Should he hamper himself
with a wife or should he engage an
other lady housekeeper and see how
that worked?
"Why not combine the two and get
wife as well as lady housekeeper"
thought John, and so he kept a sharp
eye round him for bright, pretty do
mesticated girl whom he could honor
with his intentions with a view to mat
rimony.
And at last his diligent search was
rewarded. Madeline Gray possessed
every attraction and virtue that John
had determined his pretty wife should
have. She was pretty, brilliantly pref
ty. Her hair was like spun gold, and
her eyes were as blue as the bluest of
china; but, as John Hampton remark
ed, beauty was not everything, and
Madeline's hands, though small and
white, were the nimblest in the world.
She could knit, and she could sew, she
could wash, and, yes, she could even
scrub, and do it all in the daintiest and
most becoming manner too. Truly
Madeline Gray was jewel which only
required the setting Of that little Nor
wood villa to perfect.
And John Hampton thought himself
extremely lucky when this model of
virtues accepted his attentions and lat
er his dignifed proposal Of marriage
and that was how he happened to be
looking out of the window Of his mod
est little apartments at Brighton one
very wet day in May.
The scene was depressing enough.
The sea looked dark and gloomy, the
beach was deserted and now and then
detected looking individual enveloped
in macintosh hurried along the pa
rade with the seeming object of get
ting home as quickly as possible.
Homogeneous are a mistake" said
John to himself. "If l hadn't wanted
a change of air, shouldn't have come.
It's an ideal morning for the seaside,
must say"
At that moment Mrs. Hampton en-
tered the room, and he turned to greet
her.
"Not very charming morning, my
dear, is it," said he amicably.
"Well, what can you expect from a
place like BrightonW said his wife
coolly. cts all the same here whether
it rains or shines"
John raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Why, my DEAR he began anxious
ly.
"You thought 1 liked Brighton, sup
pose," interrupted Mrs. Hampton calm
ly. "Well, it's pity you didn't trou-
bic to inquire before AS you arranged
this holiday yourself, you mustn't
grumble, and now come and have your
breakfast"
To say that Mr.. Hampton was sur
prised is stating the case too mildly.
He was simply astounded. He looked
at his wife as at some Chinese puzzle. |
Was this self possessed and command
ing woman really the meek and sub
dued little maiden he had married the
day before?
And yet there she sat, her golden
head as golden as ever, her eyes as
blue, pouring out the coffee with as
much sang froid as If she had been
Mrs. Hampton for years.
Il presume you ordered this break.
fast" she said as she finished her task.
Eyes, dear" said John. SIS there
mo, there isn't anything l like" she
replied, without troubling him to finish
his remark, and looking at the viands
on the table. Twill you please ring the
bellW
John obeyed, and when the maid ap-
peared she gave an order for a new
laid egg and a piece Of hot toast, pass
ing the cold meat to her husband with
the dignity Of a queen
And very good breakfast she made
too. John was rather taken aback. In
his idea delicate and refined women
should eat very little and of the dainti-
est viands, and this morning meal of
his wife's surprised him as much as
her manner had done. She had acted
30 differently during their engagement.
Evidently he had misunderstood her.
and he determined to assert his author
ity as her f6rd and master at once.
There was no time to lose. LET a wo.
man get the upper hand" thought
John, land your influence Is gone for.
ever"
And so, after the breakfast things
were cleared away, he told her to put
on her bonnet and accompany him for
q long walk.
GOOD gracious, John, are you mady"
said his wife. "In weather like thisw
Certainly. 1t will do you far more
good than stopping at home. Come, do