Year: 1861

and cold water bandages are better than
all the camphor and loud talking, which
are the usual accompanimentS of headaches
in this house Listen if you will lie
down on the lounge, and won't speak an
other word to night, III get my own din
uer.'


Instead of following my advice, my wife
began to weep. Now, il there be one thing
dislike more than another, it to see wo,
man in tears. | essayed to soo;h my wife,
but she would not be soothed


If you choose she said to make sport
of me and my headache, cannot prevent it;
but you'll be sorry for it by and by. I
sometimes think that We shall not live to-
gether much longer


Now, my dear | said, don't speak so !;
your health Is pretty good, notwithstanding
these troublesome headaches; l think, in
deed, we may both live many years yet


oh, I have no doubt, she replied, but
that we shall both exist a score Of years
longer, only l think it doubtful if we live
together. Your treatment of me IS so cru
el, that | fear we shall separate. And !
am sure none Of my friends would censure
me for it if they only knew what l suffer
and endure. For nine years have borne
with your irritability, hoping that, as you
grew older, you would overcome it, but, on
the contrary, it seems to increase on you,
until now there is scarcely an hour passes
when you are in the house, but YOU are
faultfnding and cayilling at something
You cant endure 20 know that am sick,
even though l don't complain, and keep
my suffering to myself


We'll, now suppose We separate, I said,
who will take the chilGren?'


l think, said my wife, eyincing consid-
cradle feeling, that the children ought to
20 with me. In the first place, you don't
know how to take care of them. Your
idea of domestic government is very er-
roneous, and, besides, you would be apt to
treat them cruelty


Very WE'LL l said, 4 don't think l
should care to be troubled with the chill
dren. You might have them and welcome.
| would he frecr without them. and could
20 and come as | wished, nor be obliged to
consult their comfort in any degree Why,
| should be quite bachelor again,
wouldn't T.


You seem to enjoy the idea so greatly
my wife said, that | am not certain wheth-
er it would not lie comforting too much hap
piness on YOU for NE to obtain a separa-
ton. At all events, I won't do it at pres
cnt'


No, nor any time in the future, my dear,
| said The fact Is am hasty and irrita-
ble, but then ! yet over it in a moment,
and my SPELLS Of good nature are worth
more than the life long cvcnness Of temper
which belong to other men. You obtain
ed a prize, my dear, in me, which [ fear
You 30 Eot appreciate as you ought. But
how does your head feel now, my love-


! declare said my wife, smiling, Il it is
entirely gone I think you must have
magnetizcd me and drawn it away


/ think l frightened it away I said
My suggestion that We separate evidently
had good effect upon you


But you didn't suggest it. my wife re-
piled; 1t was me who suggested it


Well, it is all the same | said; you or
I, for We are both one, you know


4 really believe she added, that you
do not intend to yex me as you so often DO,
but you must acknowledge that you are
provoking at times


Certainly answered, III acknowledge
anything that you may desire


Now that is provoking, she said, and
l don't want you to DO it.


Very WE'LL l said, I'll not do it; but l
deny that ii Is provoking


But ! tell you it is, my wife replied
1t proyokes me-


Very WE'LL said; then I'll say no more
about it. But what about dinner? Are
we not to have any today?


We'll, the truth is my wife said, there
is chicken pie in the refrigerator, which,
with the vegetables Katy has cooked, will,
perhaps, suffice for to day


Nothing could be better I answered
and If you will only have chicken pie for
dinner when you have the headache, why
l don't care if you have one every week.


which do you mean?' asked my wife,
smiling, the pie or the headache


ooh, the pie, of course said; as for
the headache, l trust you will never have
it again as long as you live.


And then We went to dinner.