The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-07-01
MtsrclIdtIrot q.
From the Southern Lhsray Messenger.
THE PALSIED II Z A r I.
by THE AUTHOR OF LoslSa AND WINNING"
CONCLUD ED.


They were pointed the best matched pair that could b
found every way suited improve and make each 9th
er happy Even Mr. Atwood, high as his expectations
had been raised was asonshedat the dignity and strength
of Character his daughter had acquired under Mr. How
ards influences and equally so at the sonenmg effect Of
Helcn's influence over him He Often sighed with regret
that his wife could have lived to the harry couple
that they now were. How delusiye are appearances!
II WINS many months after the wreck of his domestic
happiness, that Mr. Howard was nominated for men,
Der of congress. He asked Helens opinion on the sub
ject, and it meet her warm appreciation.
81 believe you to be patriot in the best sense oithc
term said Sc and should Yen be eected YOU
may do your couniry much good. know that you are
above being inf denced By narrow and selfish party views
and your principles and talents must command respect
aud exert beneficial influence. hope you will prove
the successful candlaten
Flhlerns this answer was to Mr. llowafds vanity
as a man, it wrung his heart husband. Some two
OF three years before his name had been mentioned
candidate for the state legislature, and it filed Helen
with alarm She enlreaed him not to engage in public
business,
Only think said she, as she seated herself on his
knee only think how many long weeks you may be
from home How could live long without seeing
YOU aud so many tedious hours between us o, |
sh ,uld pino to a skeleton in your ubscncc!n
Such mt been her ieGiing1,--but now, though the
distance between them must be d0ihlel, aud doubled
agn should he b. called tn Washington, and though HI,
absence must be tor months instead of weeks, the
thought caused the slightest Nsitaton!gaye rise 10
not even sigh.
In sonencl voi,e, Mr. Howard sail but how, m y
dear ualen wolld you get along during my absence,
should be called away Your cares mast necessarily
be greatly multiplicity
The stmcgooi provilcnce,n she replied, d" TINT has
hitherto guarded me, will Ito So trust to the end OF my
DAYS. ltelno apprehension"
Mr. Towards disguietule was in exact proportion to
Ieens self possessions but he coud not endure to have
it discovered he ana left the Probably
the pride of most men revOs from the expression idecp
emotions -particuiry when they conscious TINT they
have been in the wrong and VIII not tyuy and thorough
ly humble themselves to make the wrong right Much
Ir Howard Ind done, this the very thing he had lc
unionc. lie could he very knd-vcry uttcntve,-bu he
could stoop say Ihave been TO blame; pray par.
don me-"
The Gle Nion came OF, and Mr. Howard rnS the sue
cessil candidate lie could not but be grafed by the
honor thus conferred hin yet the idea of leaving his
wife, while her feelings were in their present state cnus-
ed him nutterablo anxiety. He conjcctured, too that
her health was less ln than formerly, though she made
no complaint; indeed She would acknowledge no indis.
position even when he soctoa.ly made inquiries the
subject
Some time interviewed between his election and the
legslanehurlt h,sed awayanl the hour OF his departure
To- Einston rapidly nppro ,ching, His apprecn.
sons for Iicens health increased the time for him to
lie lrrIV Iin had fir nj IIar
two brothers and sister hal fallen victim to con-
suption much elrlierale than that to which she had
arrived and her mother hnd been taken away by the
destroyer. NJ Towards anxiety became SO
great that aweck two before he started oh his Journey
he requested Dr. iiilcr, the family physician, to Gull as
fby accident aud ascertain if possible whether Helen
really i,e,sel-or whether his fears were only the
offspring of di'tempcrei Imagination.
The doctor did rs he requested TO do lie en- He'd
on Mrs Howard, 10 see, he said, how she was likely
to bear long separation After chatting with her for
hour on the common topics of the day he made some
isatjng remark concerning her health She confessed
that Il, the cold weather on, she felt some dminu
ton OF strength, aud occasional pains in the chest; but
nothing" she added to interfere with nv ayocaons or
to eject my spirits" With the freedom of an old friend
md family practitioner the doctor took her hand, ana
considerably accelerated. lie, however, made no com
mt, aud without any apparent ncasness, remHrkel
"Perhaps it is well Mr. Howard goes to Washington
this winter Snch pattern wife yon are will Of cours
be very domestic during his ABSENCE and doubt whether
much exposure to our northern air would do you an,
good.
To NJ Howell the ip;tor made report ms favorable
rs his conscience would permit, bu, he confessed that
IIl nttt. i,,,t
IIo yrrl' look Of deep distress led him to add" hut
hope much from her rmncss OF mll and equanimity of
spirits. AMI after all, should probably think very
lightly OF her complaints were not consumption the dis
ease of her family"
The morning orhis departure fund the feelings of Mr.
Howard all in umllt. Vain Ind been his cnleavors to
'elcct IN Helen the slightest symptoms Of regret their
'epdratoh. She appeared only the noble and patriotic
Nonln thinking other colntry's good; the olty and in
wife, enjoying her husblurs honors
nut not leaning on him for support
AT the breakfast table, the feelings of VIZ How
ard nearly ovepowered him. TO eat was imposs-
BILE and it was with difficulty he swallowed cup of
coffee.
Il" shall write you very-rery often, Helen"
aid he abruptly. " You will not let all my let
tiers remain unanswered !"
Certainly not" Helen replied; 81 can readi-
y understand how anx ious you will feel abou, the
,hildren."
Mr. Howard Bit b is lip to prevent different ex-
preston of feeIiny-and after silence of some
engh said
/" Will you promise me 10 take the best posi-.
bic care of your own health ;"
Surely there is little need of exacinr such
promise from mother" answered Helen. 81
eel that my life IS of some valuoio my little ones,
and of course consider it duty TO do all can
o preserve it,
BY thus referring 10 the children, both rs the ey-
L =. 4 L