Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-06-22
From the .Nec York Herald
The Jealous wife-A sketch.
-"'Triiies light as air,
Are, to the jealous, confirmation strong
A proofs of Holy WRIT


Are, to the jealous, confirmation strong
AS proofs of Holy Writ.n
Arthur w had been married two
years to Jane B-'the belle of W
Place. He was young, rich, handsome,
accomplished, and, in fact, all that a wo-
man could desire. Jane B. was the on
ly child of doating widowed father
wealthy, naughty, and as proud as Lu-
offer, and one of his greatest boasts was,
that no stain of dishonor had ever yet
blotted his escutcheon. When Arthur
w. sought his daughters hand, his CON
sent was fully given-for his character
was above reproach, and his standing
unexceptionable.
Well, they had been married at the
time my tale commences two years, and
had cause to wish for nothing but an
heir, with which Providence had not
seen fit to bless them,-with that excep-
ton, they were as their hearts could
desire.
One dark, stormy night in September
last, Arthur was out upon some urgent
business, when his wife, who was Just
preparing to retire (the servants having
all preceded herr was startled by VIC
lent rapping at the door of their house
in V-street. Thinking it might be
Arthur who had, perhaps, forgotten his
night key, she ran down stairs, and
opened the door, but saw no person.
On looking around, she perceived some
thing on the stoop which she picked up,
and retiring, closed the door. 1t was a
basket, neatly tied down, and to the han
die was fastened a note, addressed in a
delicate female hand to Arthur w. She
ran up to her room, and laying her
burthen upon the table, examined the
note more closely. 1t was certainly ad-
dressed in female hand, and she han
died it with all possible dexterity, try
ing to peep into its contents. All she
could make out were the words ''deluded"
-''pledged-"beloved."
What could this mean? She trembled
in every limb, but not with curiosity
she trembled at her own lmaginings;
and for the first time since she first saw
Arthur w. a Pang of jealousy shot
across her mind. While deeply en-
crossed with these feelings and thoughts,
faint cry as of child, made her
start from her reverie, and gaze about
the room in terror. What could it be
Where did it come from? 1t was repea-
ted more distinctly; it was a child's
wall, and it proceeded from the basket
before her.
1t was the work of an instant to tear
off the fastening of the basket, and as
she gazed within, she sank back III
G.
innocent face upturned, lay a smiling
cherub of some few months growth,
Without hazarding another look, she
tore open the note attached 10 the bas-
ket, and with feelings of Indignation too
strong to be here expressed, she read as
follows
beloved Arthur-for you are still
first in my heart-your, ruined, lost
Louise sends this pledge OF our love and
of my shame to you; treat It better than
you have your
DEVOTED LOUISE"
Horror, anger, vengeance, and jeal-
ousy were the feelings that tore the hith-
erto peaceful bosom Of Jane. She sea-
ted herself mechanically. She could
not sleep but with the note in her hand.
She gazed upon the basket with va
cant stare. How long thus occupied,
know not; but she was aroused by feel
ling an arm round her neck, from the |
touch of which she started as if viper |
were there.
"Why Jane, what is the matter with
YOU ?,,-said Arthur; for II was he " no |
had stealthily entered. intending to
surprise her. !