Year: 1874

CONTINUED FROM YEsrERDAr.


Sophie was, as we have said. good
wife and mother; only she had been so
accustomed from youth up to wOmanhood
to life occupying itself with the merest
triiies, that notwithstanding the entreaties
of her husband, she could not break loose
from it. This, unfortunately, gave oc-
casion to little differences, important only
because Of their frequent recurrence.


One day after the doctor had made his
most urgent calls, he sat in his room en-
gagged in an exceedingly difficulty study.
with heap of books around him, from
which he sought directions for the appli-
cation Of newly discovered remedy. He
could hear that in the neighborhood Of
the kitchen things were rather lively, and
could distinctly perceive the voice Of his
wife. who was engaged in some differ
cnce with the servants. He did not wish
to hear, but it was impossible to avoid it.
although he had often wished her not to
talk so loudly in the corridor when he was
busily engaged. He was twice on the
point of going out to quell the tumult, but
he did not wish to interfere, and he had
already heard more than enough. 1t was
impossible to attend to his studies as long
as Il continued, and with his hands be-
hind him he paced the room.


At length there was silence, and, with
exclamation of "God be
thanked" he returned to his books. He
had no sooner sat down, however, than
the door opened. and his wife with glow
ing face and glistening eyes, entered the
room. She was certainly calm then. but
it was easy to see that she had been in
state of great excitement. Sinking down
on the nearest chair she said:


There is hardly anything to be done
with that girl. Just think, Heinrich, she
has again broken the handle off the new
butter-pot. though it has only been three
days in use ~


"My DEAR" said the doctor calmly, II
have often wished you not to buy such
butter-pots, for the handles will always
get broken But must go to my work.
for


"And she always speaks again." con.
tinued the little woman. "Only think,
she had the impudence to tell me that
should break them myself if had them as
often in my hands and had to wash them
every day.


"And was she not right ?'


You wish to excuse her, but l have
had enough of it, and have given her her
notice."


IL am sorry for that" said her husband
with a sigh, "for she is really good cook,
and always made me a drinkable cup OF
coffee"


II cannot endure either this continual
babble in the house ; only think. our neigh
bors, girl has told Caroline that Catharinc
told her that we paid three times as much
for washing as they did at her last place.
If it is only proof that we keep things SO
much the cleaner"


"Well, DEAR" said Wahlborn, who
seemed as if he was sitting on hot Goals,
chow often have wished you not to
trouble me with this foolish gossip, es.
pecially when am engaged as at this mo-
ment; and the accident to the butterpot
could have learned in the evening, if l
must be made acquainted with it,


IL may tell you what will, replied
his wife, annoyed, "but it does not inter-
est you. Who have but you to whom
can speak about the affairs of the house ?"


''But when l am busy at work, child /?
You see how l am occupied here, and
have been disturbed for some time already
by the noise outside"


"Wahlborn, you are really disagreeable
If must chide the servants can do it in
a whisper P"


He sighed and made an attempt to refer
to something in book, but he had entire
ly forgotten what he was about, and had
to Legin fresh.


There is one thing must tell you,"
said Sophie, who in the meantime had
been following her own ideas. 1.-THE lock
on the store-room door must be changed.
Catharine says she has mislaid the key
and it cannot be found. If get another
am sure that the lost one will fall IN
to bad hands, and cannot feel at ease
with 4 store-room into which anybody can
enter"


''But, DEAR" said her husband, who be.
gan to be impatient, ait is really not nec-
essary to tell me about it. Why not send
to the locksmth ? ! anu just now engaged
with subject which demands my fixed
attention"


Il will not trouble you again." said the
young wife, now really angry, 'for see
that am not wanted here it was not al
ways so," and with her handkerchief be-
fore her eyes she rosa and hastily left the
room.


He seemed for a moment as if he would
IOlloW ne ulu IIOt WISH W SrItN ucI, uul
he was annoyed, for almost every day this
was repeated. About the msrest trifles
he was called to give COUNSEL or at least
he must listen; and thus not only was
time lost, but the current OF his thoughts
was interrupted. lie sat still, and was
soon SO engrossed with his work that he
neither saw nor heard anything more.


Years passed away, and the state OF
things did not improve; on the contrary,
they became rather worse. Sophie Met
korn was what thousands OF men would
call pattern housekeeper-a woman OF
unfaltering diligence and irreproachable
cleanliness-an excellent mother, superior
to the love of pleasure or of finery. and OF
a naturally amiable disposition but from
these paltry anxieties she could not extri-
cate herself. Her household arrange
ments and general domestic economy were
faultless; but beautiful and praisworthy
as they were, when they degenerated into
ceaseless anxiety they became serious
error. Domestic life should contribute To
our happiness, and not lay upon us heavy
yoke too grievous to be borne.


Iii