Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-07-18

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1t was the day after the wedding and
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 u 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 wife or should he engage an
other lady housekeeper and see how
that worked?
why not combine the two and get
u wife as well as lady housekeeper"
thought John. and so he kept sharp
eye round him for a bright, pretty do
mesticated girl whom he could honor
with his intentions with 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 1t 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 dignfied 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
a detected looking individual enveloped
In macintosh hurried along the pa
rade with the seeming object Of get
ting home as quickly as possible.
"Honeymoons are a mistake" said
John to himself. eff l hadn't wanted
a change of air, l 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 q very charming morning, my
dear, is itT' said he amicably.
"Well, what can you expect from q
place like Brighton" said his wife
coolly. "It's all the same here whether
it rains or Shines"
John raised his eyebrows In surprise.
"Why, my dear he began anxious
ly.
"You thought liked Brighton, l sup
pose," interrupted Mrs. Hampton calm
ly. "Well, It's a pity You didn't trou-
BILE 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 IL she had been
Mrs. Hampton for years.
81 presume you ordered this break
fast" she said as she finished her task.
Eyes, DEAR" said John. 'Is there
mo, there isn't anything like" she
replied, without troubling him to finish
his remark, and looking at the viands
OH the table. "Will you please ring the
bell|
John obeyed, and when the maid ap-
peared she gave an order for new
laid egg and 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
so differently during their engagement.
Evidently he had misunderstood her,
and he determined to assert his author
fly as her lord and master at once.
There was no time to lose. LET wo-
man get the upper hand" thought
John, "and 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
a long walk.
"Good gracious, John, are you mad?"
said his wife. "In weather like thisr'
Certainly. 1t will do you far more
good than stopping at home. Come. do
as tell you"
Mrs. Hampton looked at him scorn-
fully.
"John Hampton" she said firmly, "if
you like to go out and contract chill.
I've no objection, except that l shall
have the trouble of nursing you, but
don't take me quite for n fool. shall
stay indoors and write long letter to
mamma"
And so, very much crestfallen at his
first attempt to assert his authority,
John put on his hat and went down OH
the beach and amused himself by max
ing ducks and brakes on the waves.
But in time this sport became tame,
and, after buying some cigarettes and
newspaper, he retraced his steps once
more to the house
On his way he passed n couple who
were walking under a large umbrella.
The man had his right arm round the
girls waist. and the girl held up a
radiant face to his and was chatting
chnrmingly. They appeared to be per-
fectly oblivious to the rain and every