Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1832-05-10
From The trials Of Life, BY The authority Of DC
I5SIp
| WIFE IN DANGER


A husband, finding that his wife received
splendid presents from an admirer, thought
ii sould be unwise not to show hex what dan
gerous ground she stood upon. She hac
been driving out one morning with a lady
and went TO the dining room Immediately OF
her return home, intending TO show her pur
chases to her husband. No husband how
ever, did she fnd-but what, for the moment
delighted her more-the table covered with
jewels! The transported Alicia eagerly ad'
vanced
.liow beautiful,' she exclaimed aloud, As
she tried the b~rlliants upon Der arm and fin.
gers, and alternately put down one to admire
another, Il dfd not see, even at court, such
a diamond necklace as thIs!" she continued.
81 wonder where they came from"
Suddenly she spied a beautiful box to hold
boaboas, set in diamonds. and of a particu
larry beautiful shape These bonb0anieres
were much che fashion at that time, and the
duchess of d.. had displayed one at the ope
ra house, which had been the envy and ad
miration Of all present. To have a more ele-
gan, and precious box than her grace of d.;
TO set the fashion of that shape; to show her
fair taper fingers to advantage, as she pre-
senied II to her nelghhours--how many sour
ces OF delight TO a fashionable BELIEF Instant
~ the ornaments were replaced and forgot.
ten: nothing but this delightful box deserved
q thought She was so much engrossed by
her admiration, that she saw not her hus-
band until he stood before her.
ooh, MIR. Ciairville," she cried, with chill
dish joy, .see how lovely all these things
are! DO but look at this Giio. of a box! OH
j would not part with it for worldsi And this
too, is the opera night, and / shall show il
there! Is il not charming"
(Which, my love7" replied Mr.. Clairville,
with a smile: .'the diamonds or the opera?n
"Oh. both to be sure," hastily answered
his wife. ''But you do not seem 10 admire
them"
"Indeed do: bnt you know | think moth
ing charming but you"
"And was il to make me more &c, said
Alicia, laughing, f'that you sent for all these
gay things'" 3
81 am NO: rich enough TO display the con-
Gents Of all The jewellers shops TO you, and
bid them court your acceptance," said Mr..
Ciairviile. "These came from one who has
mQrc OF the power, Though not more of the
will, to please. The P-sentt them to YOU,
auc spread them on the table to enjoy your
Grst surprise"
"How very magnificent" replied the sim
pie Alicia. And may | choose what | like?"
without doubt" said her husband.
"Fhey are all yours, if you Ike. But you
forget the price"
"You do not pay for a gift" said Alicia,
The calmness of her husbands manner sub
DUNG her satisfaction.
''Tbeso diamonds, nevertheless, have a
price he said, fixing his eyes steadily on bic
blooming wife; II am the price"
The ghttering bauhles fell from the hand
the appalled, Alicia: mechanically she re
treated from the table, which now only in |
spired her with alarm and horror: she put
arms behind her, and continued to walk
backwards, until she reached the extremity |
the apartment in which she stood: then. |
Gaming against the wall, she raised her eve,
with an lmpiorlng expression, to her hus.
'and's face, as il she feared the very sight of
hose presents had sunk herin his esteem, al
hough she had still but a confused idea of.
iis meaning.
'How pale you are, my beloved! how you
remhle!" said her husband, tenderlg sup
oriiDs her. "You cannot fear an evil YOU
eed not bring upon youroe:f-an evil which, !
6RoD you Will not bring upon yourself or
'e. ! did not shock YOU in this sudden way
cause doubtedyou, but because ! thought 4
the simplest way of disclosing 20 YOU the 5
IS views. Now, wall you return the
sm0nd-?n =
ooh. noi" exclaimed Alicia, do you re- I
rn them Ii would make me Ill TO look at n
again. Ii
would regret parting with them?1 Al
asked her with all indignant smile.
do you think SO meanly Of me?" said kis