Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-03-28
THE MARRIED MANS STORY.

had the pleasure a few days ago, to
meet Unexpectedly friend, from whom
l was many years separated. We had
been mostly educated together, having
passed our boyhood at the same school,
our youth at the same university; but our
fortunes were different He, born to
wealth, left college to mix with the world
at home and abroad; while l turned to
the profession l had long since made
choice of, and began to lag my way to-
wards independence.
We were both good deal changed.
My friend had lost much Of the gay
buoyancy Of manner, much of the mer-
ry, happy, careless flow Of spirits, for
which he had been remarkable. was
less grave than had been reckoned dur
ing our former acquaintance: yet am a
man. of business and married We had
much to say Of different changes that had
occurred to us; and | found though al
tered in manner, in habits and in char
acter, we met the same to each other as
we had parted.
1t was getting late in the day, and l
asked my friend if he would 60 home to
the small house occupied, and dine
quietly with my wife and me. He agreed,
instantly shook hands with me in his own
lively way, as he thanked me for asking
him, and we turned into the street in
which lived. l must own l felt some
little uneasness at the thought of intro
ducing my wife. l had often spoken of
him to her, and / dreaded lest | would
not find the portrait faithful. In fact
had mistrusted my own judgment, till it
should be confirmed by hers; not that in
words she would tell rue that we differed,
but knew too well her look and manner
to be deceived. l did not feel quite ca.
sy either, at the idea of producing my
friend. His admiration would in no de-
gree alter my sentiments towards herr
but felt l should be dissatisfied unless
he thought her, in the course of one
short evening, all found her during the
happy years Of our union. My heart
beat as l ran up stairs, l colored as
pulled the bell. The door was opened
by our only man servant, and / myself
ushered my friend up stairs.
Ny WuO was uICSsSu WIFI eAtTetI1e
neatness, though she expected we were
to dine alone, and she was sitting as u.s.
ual at her work table, when the sound Of
my steps upon the stairs made her raise
her head. She came forward to meet
me, and as named my friend, she turn.
ed to welcome him with grace and gai.
ETY. that made him sure Of his reception
She placed him beside her on the sofa
and was soon at ease as to my first i'm
pressions. We had not far to 60 TO din
ner. The lower part Of the house being
occupied by my chambers Of business
one public room on the first floor, and |
still smaller library opening out fit.
In this library we dined. The dinne
was ordered with neatness and taste, ant
served without display in an apartment
simply furnished. My wife who is no
one Of those, who, to make parade upor
occasions, lessen the comforts Of every
day life. She has never, since we were
married, set before me dinner nigh,
not have brought friend to partake Of
nor has she ever appeared before me il
n dress she could not have worn out OF
occasions Of ceremony. But our expen
ses do not by any means come up with
our limited income. Ii is true our wants
are but few, but we increase our luxu
ries as we 60 on. We do not live in {
world, but we live much in a society