Year: 1863

is no wife |? And what real comfort
can wife enjoy where there is no hus-
band ? You do not realize how lone
some | am here alone these long even
ings. They are the very seasons when
| am at leisure 20 enjoy mine, if it is
worth enjoying. They are the seasons
when the happiest hours of home-life
might be passed. Come, will you not
spend your evening with me ?"


You see enough of me as it is, re-
joined the husband lightly.


ALLOW me to be the judge of that,
George. You would be very lonesome
here all alone"


Not if it was my place of business,
as it is yours" returned the young
man. /" You are used to staying here.
All wives belong to home"


"Just remember, my husband, pre-
vious to our marriage had pleasant
company all the time. Of course / re.
mained home much of my time but l
had a father and mother there, and our
evenings were happily spent. Finally
l gave up all for you. / left the old
home with my husband. And now
have l not right to expect some of
your companionship? How would
you like to have me away every even
ing while you are obliged to remain
here alone ?"


Why, should like it well enough"


All, but you would not be willing
to try it.''


Yes l would" said George at a
venture.


Will you remain here every even
ing next week, and let me spend them
among my female friends ?''


Certainly will and assure you
that / shall not be SO lonesome as you
imagine" 10 ,


With this the husband went out, ,and
was soon among his friends. He was
a steady, industrious man and loved
his wife truly but like thousands of
others, he had contracted a habit of
spending his evenings abroad, and
thought it no harm. His only practi-
cal idea of home seemed to be that it
was place that his wife took care of,
and where he could eat, drink and
sleep, as he could pay for it. In short,
he treated it as sort of private board
ing house, Of which his wife was land.
lady and if he paid all bis bills he
considered his duty done. His wife
had asked him to stay at home with
her, but she had never ventnred upon
any argument before, and he had no
conception of how much she missed
him. She always seemed happy when
he came home, and he supposed she
could always be SO.


Monday evening came, and George
remained true to his promise. His
wife put on her bonnet and shawl and
he said he would remain and keep
house."


What will You do when l am
gone ?" Emma asked.


"Oh ! shall read and sing, and en-
joy myself generally"


Very well. l shall be back in
good season."


The wife went out and the husband
was left alone. He had an interesting
book, and began to read it. Ever and
anon he would come to a passage
which he knew would salt his wife, but
there was no wife to hear it. At half
past eight he arose from his chair and
began to pace the floor and whistle
Then he went out and got his flute, and
pc, formed some of his favorite airs.
After this he got pack of cards and
played a game of "High, Low Jack, !"
with an imaginary. Then he walked
the floor and whistled again. Finally
the clock struck nine, and his wife re-
turned. aHa


Well, George, I'm back again in
good season. How have You enjoyed
yourself p


go, splendid"


Il had no idea how much enjoyment
there was away from home home is
dull place after all, isn't it ?''


Why, no, l can't say that it is,''
returned George, " l rather like it,"


am glad of that" retorted EN-.
ma, >" for We shall both enjoy ourselves
now. We shall have little comfort
able week of it.


George WINGED at this. but he kept
his countenance, and determined to
stand il out.


On the next evening Emma prepared
to 60 away again.


/" / shall be back in good season."
said she.


Where are you going ?" her hus-