Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1839-05-01

The Jealeas Wife-A sketch.
Are, 10 the jealous, esanrnatioa strong
A prosfs Of Holy Writ


rich handsome accomplished and, in fact, all that
vo~an sould desire. Jane b. was the only child oil
/. do.ting widowed father-weathy, naughty, and a.
proud as Luefer and Of his greatest boasts was
that no stain Of dshoner had ever yet bloted his es
.uteheon. when Arthur W. sought his daughters
hand his consent was fully gven-for his character
v.s above reproach, and his standing snexcePtion-
able.
Well. they had been married at the time my tale
Commences two years, and had cause 10 wish tor
nothing bat heir, with which Providence mad not
seen 1t to bless them,-with that exception, they
were happy as their hearts could desire.
One dark, stormy Night in september last, Arthur
was out upon some urgent business, when his wife,
whs was just preparing to retire, 1.-THE servants hav-
ing all preceded Aer2 was s startled ~ violent rap
Thinking il might be Arthur who had perhaps, for
gotten his nghtksy, she ran down stairs, and open
ed the door, but saw no person On looking around,
she perceived something on the stooP which she
picked up, and retiring, closed the door. II was
basket neatly tied down, and to the handle fas
tened note, addressed in delicate female hand to
Arthur w. She ran up to her room, and laying her
burthen upon the table, examined the note more
elosely.-lt certainly addressed in female hand,
and she handled it with all possible dexterty trying
to peep into its contents All she could make out
were the words " deluded"-" pledge" belsv ed"
What could this neanl She trembled in every limb,
bat not with curiosityshe trembed at her own ina
gnngs; and for the first time since she first Ar
thar w. pang of jealousy shot across her mind.
While deeply engrossed with these feelings and
thoughts, faint cry, as OF child made her start
from her reverie and gaze about the in terror.
What could it be? Where did it come from! 1t
repeated more distinctly: it was shild's wall, and
it proceeded from the basket before her.
Ii the work of instant to tear eff the fasen
ings Of the basket and she gazsd Within she sank
back in speeches. horror-for there, with its inno-
cent face .pturneS lay ;,s smiling ohsIub of some
look she tore open the note attached to the basket
and with feelings of indignation too strong to be here
expressed, she read as folows:-
RA cd Arfk for efIn frat
heart-yoar poor, ruined, lost Louise sends this
pledge Of our love and of my shame to youtreat it
better than you have your
"DEyorBp LOUISE"
Horror anger, vengeance, and jealousy were the
feelings that tore the hitherto peaceful bosom Of
Jane. She seated herself mechanically. She could
rot sleep but with the note in her hand She gazsd
upon the basket with vacant stare. How long she
had been thus occupied, l know not; but she
aroused by feeling around her neck, from the
touch of which she started as if viper were there.
"Why Jane, what is the matter with your said
Arthur; for IT was he who had steahy entered, in
tending to surprise her.
She stood from him one or two PAGES, and after
gazing at him for a full minute, with look that
struck him dumb wit: horror SO wild, so unearthIy
was it. she slowly raised her hand to hi. face and
her form swelling with every conceivable emotion,
she said in voice that went to his very heart, Vii
lain-lying perjured villain" And now the
rose within her, superior to ALL and, assuming
calmness which was perfectly terrible, she added,
Re q that"
II Look the note, hastily perused it, and looked
into the basket; but he saw nothing there to cause
such dreadful feelings in him, he had exhib
tied by his wife Why Janet surely ia it this that
has 80 disturbed you7 Do you not know me too we'll
20 believe, for instant, that this is aught but
contemplate trick TO fost this brat upon me J!
: cob very well, sir; SO be il; shall not handy
words with YOU thought knew you; but how have
been deceived! Ii lisa very extraordinarily COED
trick-very laaghable -ha! Aa! han and she laughed
such laugh as made his blood curdle-' believe all
you say-perhaps my father will too-at all events,
he had better know il, had he mott You know he will
snjey the joke so nuc h'-and here she laughed
again, So long, and loud that Arthur who feared
she had gone insane 10 lead her TO chair but
she waved him of and, with look that was almost
Medusean, she turned and left the room.
Arthur did not attempt to follow her, Tor he knew
il was useless; so, seating himself he reread the
note and after taking another peep at the little
sPonsibilty thus singslary thrust upon hmhe seated
himself and thus communed with himself :-"Well,
this is pretty prcdicament indeed! Who the devil
can this Louise be- Jane certainly takes il in ear
nest. How the devil shall get out Of it-D-n
the brat" At this moment the infant set UP regs-
lar sqsal which so disturbed Arthur, that, rather
than listen TO it, he took up the child, which was
really beautiful one, and began to saress it. calling
tby every endearing name that he had ever heard
among his female acquaintances, and he succeeded
in stopping its cries and about to deposit il in
its wicker receptacle, when he heard his wife's
voice at the Door and, on looking up, he there
her gazing at him with countenance fairly demoni-
aca, she said, "What capital Joke this will be
10 tell my father" and with hysteric laugh, she
fell senseless the floor. lie rang up his servants
to some Of whom he committed the care Of his WIFE
and pointing TO the basket into which he had depo
sited his burthen, he bade the old housekeeper to
take charge Of il far the night and she very directly
obeyed, without asking any questions. must pass
over the scene in the bedroom that night
The II morning Jane did not appear AT the break
fast table, and Arthur knowing that in her present
state Of mind, il would be useless to say anything,
forbore TO trouble her 18th any message The meal
finished he babe the house keeper bring the child,
and proceeded 10 the Alms Heuse, where he gave up
his little charge Just giving strict orders that he
should be informed Of its future fate. As he was
leaving the roen, the house-keeper, stopping him,
handed him gold locket with SEINE braided hair in
IT, and on 1T were eAgra we'd the letters, A. w. TO
child's neck. Without making any reply, he pro.
Something seemed TO hang over him; and, he
wendell his way hornewards, at dinner time, fore
bodng crept over him, that something was wrong.
On reaching his house, every thing in the ut
most confusion; and, with dreadful feeling at his
heart, he r<shed up to his wifes bed room, and be
actually felt as IL load had been taken from his
heart when glance told him il was deserted. He
had dreaded the worst; and, bad as il now was, he
was pleased TO know that his fears had not been
allied He did not condescend to ask sny questions
81 his servants He had idea Of exciting their
sympathics; but, merely saying he would dine out,
he proceeded to the house Of James father. But he
was here dened and, knowing that IL would be folly
70 pariey with him, he turned away; and, with feel
ings which may be imagined, but not described, he
went 70 an eating house, and eat his solitary dinner
In siew days, Arthur's furniture sold Off the
mouse ciesed, AID he with aching heart and a
elouoed brow, sadly pursued his solitary daily rou-
uns o. business; aud when any frivolous friend