Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-05-05
@f str II.aHrous.
From ii. .amtrionn Mechanic.
THE MECHANICS WIFE.
| BY CHARLES qrlLL.

IN AMERICA every meCnanie - sup
posed 10 have. or 10 be about 10 have, a
wife The maay thousands Of these
spouses are divided into sorts. Thus
we have good and bad !; very good and
very bad snd--ss asort Of par expires
sion-tolera6le. 1t is Dot every good wo4
man who is good wife; nor is it every
good wife who is good wife Tor the me-
Ichsnic. A working man needs work.
ing wife; but as 10 qualities OF mind
manners, and morals. she cannot run too
high in the scale. There is an error pre-
valent concerning this.
GILES says, II do not want wife with
too much sense. Why nots perhaps
Giles will not answer; but the shrug Of
his shoulders answers, Because am
afraid she will be an overmslch for me. :
Giles talks like snpleton. The unfor.
.tunste men who have their tyrants al
home, are never married TO women Of
sense. GeEnine elevation OF mind can.
not promp! any one. male or female, 10
go out Of bis or her sphere. No man
ever suffered from an overpIus OF inielIi-
gence, whether in his own head. or ia bis
wile's.
HoDeE says, II will not marry girl
who has too much manners" Very
well. Hodge. you are right; too much
Of any thingis bad. But consider what
you say. Perhaps you mean that . fine
lady would not suit you. joined for life to
what is called "fne lady" to wit to a
woman who treats you as beneath her
level, ,sneers at your friends, and is above
her business But this is not good man
neIs. Real good manners and true po
liieness are eqnally.at home. 10 courts
and farm houses This quality springs
from nature, and is the expression Of IN
affected good will. Even in high life,
the higher you 90 the simpler dg man
neFs become. Parade and fuss ofmanners
are the marks Of half bred people. True
simplicity and native good will. and a
kind regard for the convenience and feel
ings Of Others. will enspfe good manners,
even ina kitchen; and have seen many
asvuTgsr dame ip anassembly, and many
a gentle. woman il an humble she'd
Nay. your wife must have good manners.
RALPH deckres. 70 hope may never
have a'Wifelt who is too strict and moral. .
Now, my good Ralph, you talk nonsense.
who taught you that csnt!A | perceive
you Do not know vhatY you mean. Are
yoHsfrsid your wife will be too yir,u-
os?
u Bless me no."
Then you rather prefer anoral wife TO
an immoral one
Surely
Are you afraid, then. Of religious
wifes
why something like that yGs in my
head for there is neighbor Smiths vito,
Who gives him no pace Of his life. she is
soreligious.r 4'f.a. v
Let me hear how she behaves herself.
Why. she il forever teaching the
children out Of the Bible, =
Indeed. And you Ralph. are an enemy
of;the Biblsl
70. no i but then-ahem-lhsre Is
reason in all things" s
Yes; and the reason you have just
given is that Of child. and like the
child's because. Is made 10 do hard ser.
vice. But le. US understand you. Does
Mis-. Smith teach The children any
wfongs
20. no Y but plague II alt! il one Of
them hears Smith let fy an oath. it be-
gins TO preach al hih.'
Then you wish Vpen you have chill
dren, to have liberH to teach them ali
the usual oaths aud( curses, and obscene
Jokes, that are commons n,
Dear me. Mr.. Quill. you won't under
STAND me. -
Yes. understand you fully; il Is you
Ralph, who do not understand YOURSELF
Look here, Mrs. Smith Is so religious that
il she proceeds as she has besun, her
children will break their father OF his low
blasPhemies. | hope you may. get such
. wife.
'Bui then. Smith can't spend couple
Of hours at the tavern, for fear Of bis
Ali what does be 60 to the Tavern
for.il 81
Just to II and chat, and drink : liz
tie"
And how does bis wife interfere -
Does she fetch him home
NO.
Does 81. ehssiiss him on his return
20, nolA'}
Does d. sold him .asna