Year: 1874

ne naO lltLle 10 occupy Els mtuu, 10 suS-
gest to his wife that they should plainly
and honestly state the faults that each
had discovered in the other since they
had been man and wife After some
hesitation the wife agreed to the propo-
sition, but stipulated that the rehearsal
should be made in all sincerity and with
an honest view to the lettering of each
other, as otherwise it would be of no
use to speak of the faults to which mar
riage had opened their eyes. The hus-
band was of the same mind, and his
wife asked him to begin with her faults.
He was somewhat reluctant, but his
wife insisted that he was first to propose
the matter. and as he was at the head
of the house it was his place to take the
lead. Thus urged, he began the recital.
He. said:


My dear. one of the first faults |
observed in you after we began keeping
house was that you good deal neglect
ed the tinTare. You didn't keep it
secured as bright as it should be. My
mother always took great pride in her
tinware, and kept it as bright as a
dollar"


Il am glad that you have mentioned
it, DEAR said the wife, blushing lit
tie; hereafter you shall see no speck
on cup or pan. Pray proceed. :"


"I have also observed" said the
husband, that you use your dish-rags
long time without washing them, and
then finally throw them away. Now,
when at home, l remember that my
mother always used to wash out her
dlsh-rags when she was done using them,
and then hang them up where they
could dry, ready for the next time she
would need them -


Blushing as before, the young wife
promised to amend this fault.


The husband continued with most
formidable list of similar faults. many
more than we have space to enumerate,
when he declared that he could think of
nothing more that was worthy of men,
ton.


Nov" said he, ''my dear, you begin
and tell me all the faults you have OBJ
served in me since we have been mar
ried."


The young housewife sat in silence !;
her face flushed to the temples, and a
great lump came in her throat, which
she seemed to be striving hard to
swallow.


Proceed, my dear; tell me all the
faults you have observed in me- sparing
none"


Arising suddenly from her seat, the
little wife burst into tears, and throwing
both arms about her husbands neck,
cried: -


"My dear husband, you have not a
fault in the world. If you have even
one, my eyes have been so blinded by
my love for you that so long as we have
been married | have never once observed
it. In my eyes you are perfect. and all
that Sou do seems to me to be done in
the best manner and just what should
be done"


but, my dear" said the husband,
his face reddening and his voice growing
husky with emotion, ..just think. ]
have gone and found all manner of fault
with you. Now. do tell me some of my
faults; / know ] have many--7ten times
as many as you ever had or ever will
have. Let me hear them"


Indeed, husband. it is as | tell you :;
you have not single fault that | can
see. Whatever you do seems right in
my eyes; and now that know what a
good or-nothing little wretch | am, !
shall at once begin the work of reform.
and try and make myself worthy of
you"


Nonsense, my dear, ycu know some
times | 60 away and leave you without
any wood cut; | stay up town when l
ought to be at home | spend my money
for drinks and cigars when ought to
bring in home to you; l."


mo you don't. cried his wife "yOu
do nothing of the kind. | like to see
you enjoy yourself; ! should be unhappy
we're you to do otherwise than just ex-
actly as you do.''


God bless you, little wife - cried
the now thoroughly subjngated husband /;
from this moment you have not fault
in the world Indeed you never had a
fault | was but joking-don't remem-
Der word | said r. and be kissed away
the tears that still trembled in the little
wOmans eyes.


Never again did tie husband scruti-
nize the tinware nor examine the dish
rag-never 50 much as mention one of
the faults he had enumerated but soon
after the neighbor women were wont to
say:


1T is wonderful how neat Mrs. -
keeps everything about the house. Her
tinware is always as bright as new
dollar. aud | do believe she not only