The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-07-10

alternating his affection from his wife and family
and thus be guilty Of a great moral evil, but
was led insensbly by the guise Of friendship.
was now more miserable than ! ever had
been. I had known sorrow and disappointment
but here was desoation and despar.-I though
my husbands affections were lost TO me forev
er, and that he had forfeited my esteem in hi
attempt to interest the heart Of my dear friend
This reflection added bitterness to my grief
and was almost distracted. did not attemp
to sleep, and found myself uttering exclama
lions Of wo with wild gesticuations. Then
would sit down and try to be calm. recol
lected all his tenderness, all his care for mi
when was sick and in trouble and all the in
stances Of devoted affection he had demonstra
ted for me through our married life.
is il possible / exclaimed, that all thii
happiness is lost 10 me, and that l shall 1--we
through il Shall become Indifferent TO him
and again see him nattering and caresssinl
other beautiful girls Shall / still be his wife
and YET perhaps an object Of pity to my friends
There is something appalling in this inroad or
the affections
At length morning dawned. / heard the
servants below the doors opened, the shutters
we're unclos ed Henry's favorite servant went
~histIing through the hall. All seemed busy.
All seemed happy. 1 alone was wretched.-
In order not TO be spoken TO, l laid down in
my bed and pretended to sleep. Soon the
cheerful voices of my children in the nursery
told me that they were awake and well and a
feeling OF gratitude TO my Heavenly Father
that he had preserved them through the night
was the first gleam of comfort | had experience
ed. became more tranquil, and was soon a
BILE to address that Being who is ever ready to-
answer the supplication of an humble sufferer.
! did not rise 10 breakfast, but sent for Eliza to
bring her prayer book to my room, and she
read to me the morning prayers and a portion
Of the scriptures, and thus were our hearts
sanctiied and strengthened for the trials of the
dav.
IL were vain TO tell of the alienation Of hope
and dependency, of renewed affection aud
deep resentment, which agitated my mind un-
al the day arrived when we might expect
an answer TO Eiza's letter. She too partook
OF my agitation, for she was uncertain how
Henry would act on the occasion. We sat to-
gether in my dressing room, abstrocted and
sad; the post horn sounded, and in the next
moment letter was brought to me, which
knew to be IN Henry's handwriting. We both
turned pale. There was something very aifec-
ting IN our situation. So much Of the happi-
ness and responsibility Of our lives depended
on the present communication, that we were al
most breathless when broke the seal.
l read in silence the first passage. | sprang
from my seat threw my arms around Eli
za's neck, aud exclaimed, We are happy once
more! Virtue is triumphant, and my dear
husband is restored to me- tainted with ex-
cess OF emotion. When | recovered, | found
Eliza standing by my side, and we mingled
our tears and caresses, until we were sufficiently
composed to proceed. He entered into a de-
nl ne In l..
and enclosed Eliza's letter for me to read, that
might witness his humiliation and learn the
value OF her character. He said his affection
for me had always been paramount to every
other sentiment and it was only in the late
unhappy incidents, that he had ever been in
any danger OF sacrificing his alleg glance to me-
But he continued, If you and Eliza will for
give tins dereiiction of principle, my future life
VIII show that am worthy OF your confidence.
-AIthough can offer no excuse for the past,
yet will pnove that am now awakene to the
responsibility conferred by the elevated station
hold in society, and by the obligations Of
married lie" In conclusion he said, | shall
depend on you, my dear wife, to watch over
me and. remind me of my duty. If you see
me yielding TO my love of female admiration
you can lnterpose your gentle spirit and rca-
sonable mind, and | shall be shielded from
WHp''ion Dy the armor OF hallowcd affection.
lie thus in frank and manly spirit acknowl-
eused hs faults and his danger, aud I was too
happy in the belief of his restored affection to
investigate too closely the reasons for his dis
closure. There is indeed rcdccmnc prin-
cip'e IN welded love. Providence has wisely
planted about ii interests and affections which
enable married persons to bear with each 9th
ers ALTERATIONS and infrmities. As our union
had been threatened with danger, we mutually
"t the necessity OF avoiding future trials, by
an Increased vigilance over each others faults,
and by periecting onr own character as moral
aud accountable agents.
though the position of conjugal intercourse
IN the United States is one among the most
beautiful feature, Of society, still! there is dan
ger, as European customs more extensively
prevail, that this profound Difference to the
married tie may be loosened. Let every I'M
married woman then, 10y the sauctity of her de-
portment check the first impulse to overlook
the barriers which are her dearest safeguard
and let every married mau remember when n,
;riiles with the young and inexperienced, tha
he desecrates holy temple.