PETERSON’S MAGAZINE.
HUSBAND'S AND WIVES.
BY E. G. TOPLIFF.
"WILL you go to the concert, to-night, Jane ?" said Henry Morton to his wife, as she met him at the door, on his return from business.
He kissed her, as he spoke, as was his custom always on coming home or going out.
"Really, Harry, I don't see how I can leave baby," answered his wife, hesitatingly.
"But I think you will enjoy hearing these singers . Surely, for once, Sarah can take care of baby."
So, after a little more hesitation on the wife's part, it was settled. Sarah was given full instructions, and Mrs. Morton, dressing herself in her best, went out on her husband's arm.
"How well you look to-night, " said Mr. Morton, gazing fondly on his wife. "Your complexion is as good as it ever was. I have often feared, since you have been shut up so much, that your color would all go , and even your health suffer. There is poor Mrs. Maxwell: she has been married no longer than yourself; yet see how faded and worn she looks."
"It is because she hasn't as thoughtful a husband as somebody else," answered Mrs. Morton, pressing her husband's arm . "Poor thing! she never gets out, and her help is insufficient, for she has two young children to take care of: I sometimes tell her she is killing herself."
"Maxwell makes as much as I do, " answered Mr. Morton. " His business is steadily increasing also. He can well afford to live better ."
"He is very close, I fear. His wife has never toll me the reason why she stays at home so much; but I have no doubt it is because her husband thinks having people there to tea too expensive ; and, of course, she cannot visit cthers, if she is not allowed to ask her friends to her house in return. He never takes her to a concert, or anything of the kind . And, before she married, she was one of the brightest girls I knew, and fonder of society than any of us." "I can't understand such selfishness as Maxwell's, " answered Mr. Morton . "What is the use of a woman always staying at home. I enjoy myself better if you are with me. Besides, a man gets excitement in his business ; a woman , on the contrary, has little, or none, unless she goes out."
"A chat with a neighbor, even for ten minutes, will brighten one up wonderfully, sometimes, " said Mrs. Morton . "But a walk, in the fresh air, with one's husband , after the day's work is over, is even better," and she looked up, smiling, into Mr. Morton's face.
"Mrs. Maxwell never gets that."
"No," answered his wife. "But there are some men , Maxwell among them, who, I have noticed, never make allowances for their wives . If they have been worried with business, they come home and get angry, unless everything is exceptionally pleasant. If the baby cries, they frown. If the wife is out of spirits, having been worried all day herself, they scold. Such husbands put their wives into a flutter whenever they return at night, for the poor things never know in what humor they will appear. But in other homes how different ! The children go dancing to the front door, each trying to be first to welcome papa. Why, at my sister's, where they have four little ones, it is perfectly charming to see Mr. Benson come home in the evening. He generally reaches the parlor-door with one on each arm, and another tugging at his coat-tails. He has smiles and kisses for all, and wants to know how they have been, just as if he had been absent for a month. I used to spend a good deal of my time there, you know, before we married. But see, here we are at the concert-room. What crowds are going in!"
The concert was a very fine one. The music was excellent, the people well-dressed , everybody seemed in high spirits. Mr. Morton saw his wife's face brighten up, till she looked five years younger.
