Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-06-12


into misfortune, is more apt to retrieve his
situation in the world than single one,
partly because he is more stimulated to eE-
erton by the necessities of the helpless and
beloved beings who depend upon him for
subsistence, but chiefly because his spirits
are soothed and relieved by domestic en-
dearments, and his selfrespect kept alive
by finding, that though all around is dark
ness and humiliation, yet there is still lit"
tie world Of love at home, of which he is
the monarch; whereas, single man is apt
to run to waste and self-negect, to fancy
himself lonely and abandoned, and his heart
to fall to ruin like some deserted mansion,
for want of an inhabitant.
These observations call to mind little
domestic story, of which was once wit
ness. Ny intimate friend, Leslie, had mar
ried beautiful and accomplished girl, who
had been brought up in the midst of fashion
able life. She had, it is true, no fortune,
but that of my friend was ample; and he de-
lighted in the anticipation of indulging her
in every elegant pursuit, and administering
to those delicate tastes and fancies that
spread kind of witchery about the SEX
"Her life," said he, "shall be like fairy
tale"
The very difference in their characters
produced an harmonious combination. He
was of romantic and somewhat serious
cast-she was all life and gladness. have
often noticed the mute rapture with which
he would gaze upon her in company, of
which her sprightly powers made her the
delight; and how, in the midst of applause,
her eye would still turn to him, as if there
alone she sought favor and acceptance
When leaning on his arm, her slender form
contrasted finely with his tall, manly person.
The fond, confiding air, with which she
looked up to him, seemed to call forth
flush of triumphant pride and cherishing
tenderness, as if he doated on his lovely
burthen forts very helplessness. Never did
couple set forward on the flowery path of
early and well-suited marriage with fairer
prospect of felicity.
1t was the mshap of my friend, however,
to have embarked his fortune in large spec
ulations; and he had not been married many
months, when, by succession of sudden
disasters, it was swept from him, and he
found himself reduced almost to penury.-
For time he kept his situation to himself,
and went about with haggard countenance
and breaking heart. His life was but a
protracted agony, and what rendered it
more insupportable, was the necessity OF
keeping up smile in the presence of his
wife, for he could not bring himself to over
whem her with the news. She saw, how
ever, with the quick eyes of affection, that
all was not we'll with him. She marked
his altered looks and stifed signs, and was
not to be deceived by his sickly and vapid
attempts at cheerfuIness. She tasked all
her sprightly powers and tender blandish-
ments to win him back to happiness; but she
only drove the arrow deeper into his SOUL
The more he saw cause to love her, the more
torturing was the thought that he was soon
to make her wretched. A little, thought he,
and the smile will vanish from that check
the song will die away from those lips--the
lustre of those eyes will be quenched with
sorrow--and the happy heart that now
beats lightly in that bosom will be weighed
down, Ike mine, by the cares and miseries
of the world.
At length, he came to me, one day, and re-
lated his whole situation, in tone of the
deepest despair. When l had heard him
through inquired, "Does your wife know
all thisw At the question he burst into an
agony of tears. "For Gods saker' cried he
IF you have any pity on me, don't mention
my wife; it is the thought of her that drives
me almost to Madness
"And why not!" said ]. "She must know
it sooner or later. You cannot keep il
long from her, and the intelligence may
break upon her in a more startling manner
than if impaired by yourself; for the &C.
cents of those we love soften the harshes
tidings. Besides, you are depriving your
self Of the comforts of her sympathy, and
not only that, but also endangering the only
bond that can keep hearts together--an un'
reserved community of thought and feel
ing She will soon perceive that some
thing is secretly preying upon your mind
and true love will not brook reserve; it feels
undervalued and outraged, when even the
sorrows of those it loves are concealed from
/ it,"
"Oh! my friend, but to think what blow
| am to give to all her future prospects
how am to strike her very soul to the earth
by telling her that her husband is beggal
that she is to forego all the elegancies o
life--all the pleasures of society-to shrin(
: with me into Indulgence and obscurity. TIC
= tell her that have dragged her down from
the sphere in which she mighthave contin
) ued to move in constant brightness-tht
light of every eye-the admiration of every
: heart. How can she bear poverty! Sh'
: has been brought up in all the refnemen
of opulence. How can she bear neglect
She has been the idol of society. o. it will