Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-02-23
M ISC ELAN EOUS.
THE WIFE.
81 have been with thee in thy hour
Of glory and of bliss
Doubt not its memory's living power

She standing up at the side OF her lover al $
the marriage altar She slightly paie-yet IL
AID anon, the ceremony proceeded a
faint tinge Of crimson crossed her beautiful cheek,
like the reflection Of a cloud upon the clear
waters Of quiet lake.
Her lover, as he clasped her delicate hand
within his own, gazed on her for moment with
unminged admiration; and the warm and elo-
quent blood played upon his cheek, shadowing a
interval his manly forehead and "mel,ing into
beauty on his lip"
ale stood the pride Of his yousf,--a fair forrli
With his feeling yet noble, his spiri, yet
An Eagle % shelter Dove with his wing,
An elm ligh, twining tendrils nigh, cng''
And they gave themselves to one another in the |
presence Of Heavcn-and every heart blessed ,
them they went on their way rejoicing in love. |
Years passed on again | saw those lovers
They were seated together where the light of a
summer sunset stoie through the half closed and
crimson curtains. lending rich TINT to the deli |
cate carpeting, and the exquisite embellishments
Of the rich and gorgeous apartment.
Time had slightly changed them IN outward
appearance. Tho girlish buoyancy of the young
wife had indeed given place to the grace of per
fact womanhood; and her lips were somewhat
paer, and faint line of care was slightly percep
tible upon her beautiful brow.
Her husbands brow, too was marked some
what more deeply than his years might warrant
anxiety, ambition, and pride had gone over it,
and left their traces upon it-a silver hue was
minpling with the darkness Of his hair, which had
been thinned around his temples almost to bold
ness.
He was reclining on the splendid ottoman with
his face half hidden by his hand, as if he feared
that the deep and troubled thoughts which OPP
pressed him were visible upon his features.
edward, you are i'll tonight said his wife in
n low, sweet and half inquiring voice, as she laid
her hand upon his own.
The husband reused himself from his attitude
slowly nd slipht froWn knit his brow.
81 am not ILL., he said somewhat abruptly; and
he folded his arms upon his bosom as if he wished
no interruption of his evidently bitter thoughts.
Indifference from those love is terrible 10
the sensitive bosom. 1t Is as if the sun of hea-
ven refused his wonted cheerfulness, and glared
down upon US with a cold, dim, and forbdding
glance.
1t is dreadful to feel that the only being of our
love, refuses to ask our sympathy-that he broods
over feelings which he scorns, fears to reveal
dreadful watch the convulsing feature and
the gloomy brow--ihe indefinabe shadows of hid
den emo,ions-the involuntary signs of sorrow
in which we are forbidden to participate and whose
character we cannot know.
The wife essayed once more:
'Edward,' said she, slowly, mildly, and aftec-
tionately, "the time has been, when you were
willing to confde your secret joys and sorrows tc
ono who has never, trust, betrayed your conf
dence. Why then, my dear Edward, is this crue
reserve? You are troubled, and yet you refuse
Something Of returning tenderness softenet
for an instant, the cold severity of the husband
features, but it passed away, and IA bitter sn
was his only reply
Time passed on, and the twain were separate
from each other.
The husband sat gloomilv and alone in tn
damp cell of q dungeon. He had followed amb
ton as his god. and had fallen in his high caree
He had mingled with men whom his heart loatf
ed-he had sought out the fierce and wronge
L. I,,I hroo thndi into, ham,
madness of revenge.
He had drawp his sword against his country h
had famed rebellion to a fame, which had bee
quenched in human blood.
He had Internationally fallen--and he ha
been doomed TO die the death of n traitor.
1t was his last night Of life! Tomorrow W;
the day appointed for his execution. He sa
the sun sink behind the green hills OF the west,
he sat by the dim CRATE Of his dungeon, with
feeling of unutterable horror Tie telt that
was the last sun that would set to him. 1t wou
cast its next evel and sunset rays upon his gra
upon the grave of dishonored traitor!
The door of his dungeon opened, and Zig
form threw herself into his arms. The soften
light of sunset fell upon the pale brow and vast
cheek of his once beautiful wife.
edward, my dear Edward she said, 81 ha
come to save you. l have reached you, after
thousand difficulties, and l thank God that I
purpose is nearly accomplished"
Misfortune had sofiened the proud heart of m
his bosom, a tear trembed on his eyelash.
81 have not deserved this Kindness" he m
INJURED in the choked tones of convulsive agon
"Edward," said his wife, in an earnest, but tal
fearful debility, we have not moment to 10
BY an exchange of garments you will be enab
to pass out unno;iced. Haste, or we may be
late. Fear nothing for me; | am woman,
they will not iniure for my efforts in beha
husband, dcarer to me than life itself"
sBut, Margaret" said her husband, ''vou Il
sadly i'll. You cannot breathe the air of I
dreadful cell.''
"Oh, speak not of me, my dearest Edward
the devoted woman. Il endure every tn
for your sake. Haste, Edward-haste, and
will be well, and she aided with .reInbl
hand to disguise the pround form Of her hGsf
in female garb.
farewell my love, my preserver-,' whsE
ed the husband in the of his disguised W
as the officer sternly reminded the supposed Il
that the time allotted for visit had expired.
Farewell! shall meet again., respon
his wife-aud the husband passed out unsusr