The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1839-12-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Devoted wife.
BY J. G. WHITTIER.

She was beautiful girl. When frs
saw her she was standing up by the side o.
her lover at the marriage altar. She wa:
slightly pale-yet ever and anon as the Ger
emory proceeded, faint tnge of crimson
crossed her beautiful cheek, like the refec
tons Of sunset cloud upon the clear wa
tiers of lake. Her lover as he clasped heI
hand within his own, gazed on her for mo.
ment with unmingled admiration, and the
warm eloquent blood Swallowed at intervals
his manly forehead and "melted into beau
ty on his lips"
And they gave themselves to one another
in the presence of heaven, and every heart
blest them as they went their way rejoicing
IN their love.
Years passed on, and again saw these
lovers-1hey were seated together where
the light ofsumer's sunset stole through the
hllE-closed and crimson curtain; lending a
richer tint TO the carpeting and theexquisite
embellishments of the rich and gorgeous
apartment-Timo had slightly changed
them in outward appearance. The girlish
buoyancy of the one had indeed given place
to the grace ofperfect womanhood and her
lip was somewhat paler, and faint line of
care was perceptible on her brow. Her
husbands brow, too, was marked somewhat
more deeply than his age might warrant; anx-
ety, ambition and pride had grown over, and
left their traces upon it; silver hue was
mingled with the dark of his hair, which had
become thin around his temles almost to
badness. He was reclining on splendid
ottoman, with his face half hidden by his
hand, as if he feared that the deep aud trOu-
bled thoughts which oppressed him were
visible upon his features.
edward you are i'll 10 night" said his
wife in low, sweet, half inquiring voice, as
she laid her hands upon his own.
Indifference from those we love IS terrible
to the sensitive bosom. 1t is as the can of
heaven refused its wonted cheerfulness, and
glared upon us with cold, dim and fore
biding glance. 1t is dreadful to feel that
the only being of our love refuses to ask our
sYmpathy-that be broods over the feelings
which he scorns or fears to reveal-dreadful
to watch the convulsiye features and gloomy
brow-the indefnable shadows of hidden
motions-the involuntary sigh of sorrows in
which we are forbidden to participate, whose
character we cannot know.
The wife essayed once more. edward"
said she slowly, mildly and afectionately,
''the time has been when you were willing
to confide your secret joys and sorrows to
one, who has never, | trust, betrayed your
confidence. Why, then, my dear Edward +,
is this cruel reserve? You are troubled, and
refuse to tell me the cause.''
Something ofreturning tenderness soften
ed for an instant the cold severity of the
husbands features, but ii passed away and
bitter smile was his only reply.
Time passed on, and the twain were sep
rated from each Others The husband sat
gloomily and alone in damp dungeon. He
had followed ambition as his god, and ne
had failed in his high career. He had min
| gled with men whom his heart loathed, he
had sought the fierce and wronged spirits
ofhis land, and had breathed into them the
madness of revenge. He had drawn his
sword against his country; he had famed
rebellion to the fame, and it had been
quenched in human blood. He had fallen
-miserably fallen-and was doomed to die
the death of traitor.
Ii was his last night of life. The NOR
row was the day appointed for his execution.
He saw the sun shrink behind the green
hills of the west, as he sat By the dim CRATE
of his dungeon, with feeling Of unuttera-
bic horror He felt that it was the last sun
that would set to him. It would cast its
next level and sunset rays upon his grave
Upon the grave of dishonored traitor!
The door Of The dungeon opened, and
light form entered and threw herself into
his arms. The softened light of sunset fell
upon the pale brow and wasted cheek Of his
once beautiful wife.
..Edward-my dear Edward" she said,
IT have come to save you: | have reach.
/ ed you, after q thousand difficulties, and
thank God, my purpose is nearly accomplish.
led"
Misfortune had sofsened the proud hear
of manhood, and as the husband pressed bis
pale wife to his bosom, tear trembled q
/ bis eye-lash. q have not deserved shl'
i kindness" he murmured IN the choekee
tones Of conYulsiYe agony.
Edward said bis wife, in an earnest
but faint fearful debility, tive have not