Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-12-23

II lhought you would nave Deen nome long
ago, Charles, and have listened to every foot
step along the pavement, till am tired out with
watching
Charles thought "women are unreasonable, -
but he checked the thought, for he would not in
clude his Caroline
81 could not return moment sooner Car
ry," he said, s'or you well know, nothing would
have kept me from you I very tired and
! assure you my slippers look comfortable and
the blazing fire inviting"
| So saying he drew two chairs before the fire
and was snugy seated with Caroline beside
| him. She still continued melancholy and silent.
He besought her, with all the tenderness of aifec-
ton, to tell him why she sad.
"Oh dear Charles, | am so nervous, and l
thought you were never coming replied Car
one.
Lacy attached the old-fashoned meaning to this
word. In the dictionary of our rude forefathers,
nervous is defined idle fears, at least, the ner-
vousness which at present faults of tenn
per and petulence. In good old times, deficen-
cy in these things met with the censure they de-
served ; but in days of luxury and refine
ment, nervousness has been invented among 9TH
er indulgences so that irritabty and other
ifestations of temper, under the term nervous,
may not only avoid censure, but receive the SYM
pathy of friends.
swell dear" he replied, eff you are only ner-
vous, you must exert yourself, and not give way
| to it,"
| This was rather too much for poor Caroline.
who had been accustomed to the acceptation
of the term, and generally the attendance of the
physician thought requisite, if she were suf-
fering under the prevailing malady. Tears start
ed in her eyes, and silently coursed down her
cheeks.
"Women DIRE unreasonable again thought
Charles and this time he did not check it.. He
gave sigh of Impotence, as he shaded his face
with his hand but the remembrance of all Caro-
lines lovelness was too fresh in his mind to al
low him long to indulge in so painful feeling
and nbering that he had promised to cherish
| her. he could not witness the gathering tear
unmoved. Turning affectionately towards her,
he said, "My dear wife, you distress me-for your
| happiness is my create s desire. know you feel
perhaps that am unmindful oft but consider,
dearest, and you will lose all doubt. l did not
leave you for pleasure, but to toll for your COM
fort and this thought sweetens every anxiety.
This must often happen, for there cares in
business which demand attention, and my mind
sometimes will be absorbed by them. If at such
times ! cannot devote my every thought to
you, my heart remains the same and in the
certainty of your affection, feel peace and sat-
isfaction which is never lost sight OF. Now, Car
ry, let yonr own good sense speak, and am sure
all sadness will vanish from your brow"
Charles right, and more the bright
sunny smile of happiness played over her fea-
lures Many an evening after that, did did Car
olne Lacy spend alone, but never did she feel
nervous in consequence. But long indulgence
always mars the happiness of after years. Caro-
line had been nervous patient for some time but
had during her courtship, entirely recovered She
was amabe, but like Raselas, with nothing to
wish for, she at times unhappy from this very
fact. Her parents could not bear to see gloom
shading her path, and their anxiety took alarm
upon such occasions and ascribed it to indisposi-
ton The physician could find no name for the
disease but nervousness and as natural conse-
uuence, Caroline regarded tin the same way
When her mind vas fully occupied, and the nov
city of her situation threw charm over it, she
was entirely free from this disease but when she
had settled down as wife, and her husband was
occupied late and early at the counting house the
SYMPTOMS returned. She had house keeper and
was exempt from household cares her own maid
had waited on her from an infant, and, from long
habit and affection, INDUCED every within. Sur
rounded by every earthly blessing, she could not
fail to be happy, and she so but at times,
Dhen her wishes could not be supreme, as had
been the custom, she felt nervous
Mr. Lacy had aunt whom he regarded with
the tenderest affection. She was an old lady
had experience, good judgement, and sterling
sense Aunt Marshall had passed through many
vicissudes, but had learned Sin whatsoever state
she was, therein be content" Preferring honest
independence, she lived in small cottage on the
outskirts ofthe city, declining the generous offers
of her nephew.
Caroline estimated Aunt Marshalls character;
but of all the visitors, when she felt nervous, Aunt
Marshall the last she desired to The old
lady took fancy one pleasant day, that walk
would do her good and then she thought she
would spend few days at Lacys
1t Just so happened, that Caroline felt very ner-
vous when she saw Aunt Marshall coming up the