Page:Peterson's Magazine 1856 Vol. XXX.pdf/9

PETERSON’S MAGAZINE.

Vol. XXX.

"CIGAR SMOKE."

BY R. W. DEWEES.

It was the third anniversary of our wedding day, and Mary and I, (my prettiest and gentlest of wives, has, as is fitting, the prettiest and gentlest of names) Mary and I having enjoyed a commemorative iced-eake at tea, of wonderful exeellence, for Mary made it, and having been ap stairs together to look at dear little Charley m his erib, were now seated at our cosy fireside, I, with an unreproved cigar between my lips, and Mary very near me, enjoying a harmonious matrimonial chat. What we talked about, and irhat pleasant reminiscences were indulged in— what whispers — what trifles — what nothings wore called to mind, may be so very easily im ngined, at least by all happy married couples, that it is by no means worth my while to try to wfim them down here.

The conversation was as charmingly monotonous as such conversations usually are, till I chanced, in my foolish confidence to say, with a laugh,

"I can't help laughing, Mary, to think what a fool I was, once upon a time, to worry and fret myself about that young dandy, Morris, who was dangling about you at the same time I was. I n>ght have known better, mightn't I?"

"I don't know about that," said Mary, with a hlueh, and a coquettish toss of her head. "Perhaps you are not at the bottom of that nystery yet—wise as you think yourself, sir!" My countenance fell. This had been a sore subjecs- with me in former years, but Mary's nnqnestionable affection had just convinced me that my old doubts had never had any founda tion, that she must have loved me first, and s T»ys. My w;fe continued, with mischievous candor,

'I can tell you, John, you had some cause for jealousy in those times; for I came near— very near taking Morris instead of you. Only the merest trifle decided me in your favor. Shall I tell you what it was f Nay," she added, quickly, "you need not look so grumpy—you've no cause for jealousy now, you spoiled ereature! It's a great mistake to suppose that all girls fall into love at first sight. With some, and the most sensible, I flatter myself, the proceeding is by no means such a summary process. We consider, and weigh the respective merits of our admirers quite coolly and philosophically before we de cide, I assure you. We make pur comparisons— draw our inferences—compare characters, all from trifles I grant, but with wonderful shrewd ness sometimes, as in the present case.

"It cost me, however," she continued, arohly, "some trouble to decide whether I preferred you or Morris, and indeed to determine whether either of you were worth my going to the ex treme length of actually falling in love. As I told you, a trifle decided me; but it was a sig nificant triflo, one that showed which way the wind blew. Do you want to hear about it, John ? Are you prepared for a full and free confession? Tes, I see by your smile that you are beth curious and good-natured; so I will tell you the truth, and the whole truth for once."

So looking at mo, with a glance of mingled sauciness and affection, my little wife spoke out,

"There never was a poor woman so distressed as I was, to decide between you and Morris. If you only knew all the sleepless nights you caused me! but never mind, I'll take my revenge for that before I've done with you yet ! I used to lay awake and think and think, till my head ached. I knew you both wanted me, and that I might have either, but for my life I could not tell which I wanted.

"Morris was certainly the handsomest—you need not make such a grimace, it is true—but there was something honest and manly about your face, such as it was, that I liked—oh, you smile now, do you? Morris dressed best, was