Year: 1863

DeSlnuluS, Calculaeeu " oti"5 "
out. She wanted little time for obser-
walton. The young husband was bright
cheerful, attentive aud fond, and as he
had been to her before the wedding day.
But on the second morning after her ar
rival. she noticed that he did not talk
as freely as usual at the breakfast table,
and had something very much like
cloud oyel the sunshine of his counte-
nance. Martha's manner was little
sober. Once or twice during the meal,
Edward exhibited feeling of annoy
ance at things not rightly ordered.
Mrs. Barton was already beginning to
see the little mpediments and obstruc-
tions to which she had referred in talk
ing to her husband. But she did not
encourage Martha to speak on the sub
iect. She wanted to see more and un-
dcrstand the case better. On the third
day, the cause of trouble between Ed
ward and Martha--for discordant
string was really jarring in the harmony
| of their lives-beeame more clearly ap-
parent to the mother. The little re-
straint which had been assumed at the
beginning of her visit by both of the
young people, was gradually laid aside
and she saw them in the real life they
were living.


The basis of the difficulty lay in the
total unfitness of Martha for the position
she had assumed that of housekeeper.-
| mean. And, in consequence, her
young husband, in whose ideal of
home perfect order had been included
found everything so different from his
antcipations, that graceful acquies-
ccnce was impossible.


Il don't know what has came over Ed =.
ward said Martha to nor neither on the
morning of the fourth day: after der
husband had left for his place of busi-
ness. Her eyes were swimming in tears
for Edward had spoken hasti ly and with
ill-nature at the breakfast table. .lle
used to be so kind, so gentle, so eonsid =
crate of my comfort and feelings. But
he seems to be impatient and harshgin
his manner every day


II as the reason of this never occurred
to your Mrs. Barton's manner was
grave. He is disappointed in something
evidently. He does not find in you all
that he expected;'


'Mother!' The young wife had sta
red look.


1T must be SO, Martha. else why
should he be different from what he was
He has had on ideal of wife, and you
have failed to reach that ideal


The face of Martha, which had flushed
became almost pale.


And am free to own continued
tho mother, that you fall considerably
below my ideal ! do not wonder at
Edwards Disappointment


Tears began to fall over the young
wife's checks. I'm sure, said she sob
bng, that | have been to him all that
| know how to be If love would draw
upon me favor and kindness he would
never look upon NE as he does. some
times with cold eyes and clouded face
nor speak in angry impatience words
that have hurt me worse than blows.


But you haue not done for him, all
that you no how to do,' said Mrs. Bar
ton.


fail to comprehend you, mother,
was replied to this.


You do not make his home as pleas
ant as IT should be: There seems to be
no anticipation of his wants and no pro-
vision against discomfort. Everything
is left to your two servants who do pref
'y much as they please.


Why, mother.


1T is true, my daughter. have
looked on with closely obscrvant eyes
since have Teen here and | must say
that am disappointed in you in eve
ry case that Edward has shown impati-
ence in my presence, tha source of an-
noyancc lay in your neglect Of plain
household duty 1t was SO this morn
ing SO yesterday


He was annoyed at the burned steak
this morning. said Martha, 10 answer
That, was not my fault. I'm not the
cook


1T is your place to have competent
cook, said Mrs. Barton.


eff can find one, mother


'The one you have now is not to be
trusted to prepare meal.


L know that, but how can he lip my
selfT


"And knowing that, you never went
near the kitchen to see that she did not
spoil the steake intended for your hus-
bands breakfast. 1t might have taken
you ten or fifteen minutes to superin-
tend personally. the preparation of this
mornings meal and so made it worthy
of being set before your husband; but
instead of this. you sat reading, or tai
king, from the time you were dressed
until the bell rang. When We went
down there was no butter on the table.
no knife and fork to the dish of meat;
no salt nor any napkin to your husband
bands plate. The table cloth was soil
ed, and you scolded the walters for not
putting on clean onc.-Thc meal open
ed in disorder, which you might have