HOW MAGGIE ARNOLD CURED HER HUSBAND OF SMOKING.

Auckland Examiner, Volume IV, Issue 272, 13 June 1860, Page 3

HOW MAGGIE ARNOLD CURED HER HUSBAND OF SMOKING.

(’Concluded from our last.')

Where in the world did that come from ? said Mr’ Arnold.ono day, addressing his wife, while with the to e of bis boot he kicked from- under the sofa an empty cigar box. Is it not your own ? she responded with an. innocent gace. Mine, no indeed. I never bought such a box in ray life; Stooping and cautiously peeping, underneath, as if he expected to make another discovery, he again exclaimed, As Hive, here is another empty box ! -no, not empty, for here are three whole cigars in it. Strange enough! Who could have-brought them here? You might hare done so, I think, said the lady with, a merry laugh. I might have, could have, but would not have littered' up our neat sitting-room in this manner, said Fred, Would not? and Maggie’s eyes opened very wide. No, returned Fred.

The mystery of the boxes could not be unfolded. A week afterwards Frederick Arnold came.- home to teaearlier than usual. He was expecting to leave town, on. the subsequent day, and in consequence a few arrangements were to be made. His return was unexpected to Maggie, who was indulging herself with a cigar. Fred had hardly opened the street door ere the aroma of the fragrant weed reached his olfactories. Some friend of mine. I presume, thought he, as be pushed back the partly openeddoor of the sitting-rooir» But what a sight met bis gaze !. There sat his charming little wife smoking a cigar in the most unladylike manner.

Do my eyes deceive me, said he, or is it you, my ownwife, really smoking a cigar ? Oh, I—l, stammered Maggie, in evident confusion,, that is—l have certainly become a smoker. You do not say that you really love this habit! said Fred seornfully. Yes, yes, said. Moggiecarelessly ; these cigars are delightful—so fragrant and aromatic, so soothing to a troubled mind that I—l—actually do no# blame yon men for indulging yourselves in ench a pleasing ha bi . Ah, wires know not how much they ask when they insist ■ upon- their husbands-' relinquishing their favorite cigars I —just to humour a foolish capricious-less. To think, Fred,, that I have been so unjust and cruel to urge you thus is a constant vexation to me ; but to atone for the past,, dear, let me now light for you this fragrant cigai*. Now put on.your slippers, smoking-cap, and dressing gown, and having yielded yourself to the Warm embracos of this nicely-cushioned arm-chair, let all trouble for the future,Sall eare and anxiety for the ’ present be removed by the influences of this soul-soothing, care-dispelling, charming cigar. A devotee to a pernicious, filthy h bit! She will hereafter think of nothing else but Havanna cigars ! muttered Fred between bis teeth. He had stood all this time npen. the sill of of the doo'where his steps had been arrested by the nnnsnal sight, uor had he moved from the spot until the voioe of hi’

wife again recalled his thoughts, saving, come, the chair is ready—cigar all. Maggie Parted back the picture of affright—Never again smoke u oioar ? echoed she, coolly placing the proffered one within her own lips; but Fred snatched it away. For some time nothing more was said. Fred was the first to speak. I did not think I was teaching you po bad a habit, said he, how disgraceful it is ! Oh, don’t blame yourself that 1 Lave found out wbat is pleasant, said Maggie. But [ am in earnest about this matter, said Fred. Will you leave off smoking. How unreasonable I exclaimed Maggie. The fact is, I have smoked so long that it would be a very Lard thing to leave it off now. Indeed I cannot promise. So long ! said her astonished husband. How long ?

Oh—a Dumber ©f months, I should think, replied Maggie. Strange that I should not have found it out before, said Fred.' The empty boxes and half-smoked cigars lying about are now accounted for. But you have not answered my first question. Will you leave off smoking ? Well, Fred, will you first set me the example? That I will do with all my heart. Then yon have my promise also; and may depend upon my keeping it. Well said, my brave little wife, returned Fred jpy fully: Six months after,, the reformation on both sides was complete. Frederick one day observed to Maggie as he laid down a paper containing a long essay upon the effects of the errors of tobacco, and which he had been reading to her, I am thankful that I have given up its use. Suddenly 10. king up, he continued> I believe, Maggie, you never told mo how you happened to fal 1 into the habit of smoking. No, i believe not, replied Maggie, but—very much, I suppose, as other persons learn a bad practice. Frederick Arnold never returned to his smoking. Whether he ever admitted that his wife cured him of the habii> or whether he knew that he had been instrum&tal in saving her from an inveterate smoker’s fate, it matters not, so long as the end was gained. Thus disappeared for ever the only cloud that had ever arisen on their matrimonial sky ; and pleasantly and peacefully they now journey on the way of life, plucking only thornless roses, and basking in the sunshine. —Florence.