Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1842-03-17
Popular Gales.
From the Phiadelphia Saturday Courier.
A WIFE;
A DOMESTIC TALE.
BY MRS. NJ. ST. LEON LOUD.
PART 1.


cular notice in the outward appearance
of a respectable three story dwelling,
which occupied place in a long row,
exactly similar, in one oftho best streets
of Philadel phia, except that the base
ment, or eflice door, bore the name of
DIR. Wallace, thereby intimating to the
passer-by the profession, and by impli-
cation, the rank Of its occupant. The
steps were scrupulously clean, the
brass around the door gittered in the
sunlight like FURNISHED gold, while the
bowed shutters, tied together with gay
ribbons, futtering gracefully in the
breeze, forced upon the mind of tho
weary travellers on the burning, dusty
pavement, n keen perception Of the de-
licious GOODNESS that reigncd within
Taking it for granted that the parlours
were furnished in style suited to the
position of DR.. Wallace, to say nothing
of his actual circumstances, that the
centre table boasted the usual quantity
of bijoutorie and ANNALS that the
piano occupied its proper station, and
a vase of rare flowers filled the room
with oriental fragrance, we will ascend
to large apartment in the second story,
denominated the nursery, but in fact,
the common sitting room Of the family.
A scene of more "admired disorder"
could scarcely be imagined than this
room presented, for the unrestraincd
rompings Of seven children, from four
teen yeais old to the infant in the cra-
die, had displaced every article in their.
power to move or ovcrturn The fur.
niturc, scanty and plain in the extreme,
bore ndubitablc evidence of long and
severe usage, while through an open
door might be seen a small, inconven-
lent, dimly lighted chamber, the sleep
ing room of Mrs. Wallace and at least
three Of the youngest children. The
whole house was but a counterpart of
hundreds, in which no expense is SPAR.
cd to render the parlours or show rooms.
handsome and elegant, while that part
of the house where the mother Of the
family passes the greater part of her
life, is left chcerlcss, miscrably furnish
ed, and destitute of the thousand little.
comforts so necessary to alleviate the
hours oftoil, pain and wearincss, which
fall to her lot. Let him who holds the
purse strings see to it, that there is an
equal distribution Of the conveniencesI
Of life throughout his house, and If the
pride Of few suffers, the comfort Of
many will be greatly enhanced. In the
room above mentioned, sat Mrs. Wal
lace, on whose still handsome counten-
ance care had evidently committed more
.ravagcs than time, though her years
might have been forty. A small table
stood before her loaded with the multi
farious garments belonging to large
family, which had just been brought
home from the wash, and were, alas
rapidly going the way of all worldly
possessions. On the back of n chair
hung a formidable array Of stockings,
sadly dlapidated from the wear and tear
to which they had been subjected, and
at her side stood basket filed with the
implements of an industry that was 10
to "gar auld claes look amaist as wecl
as new" 1t was Saturday, and every
article before her was TO be carefully
examined and repaired, and deposited
in its proper place, ready for the Sab
bath, before she could hope to lay her
weary head on the pillow. The chill
drcn wcro despatched to play in the
yard, the baby was asleep in the cradle,
and Mrs. Wallace, taking up her needle.
commenced her task.
"Now," thought she, al shall have
an hour to sew before | go TO the kitch-.
en- to prepare dinner" but at that mo
mcnt the door opened and young lady
Of eighteen entered, looking pale aud
spirilcss, her hair tucked carelessly be-.
hind her ears and a faded calico wrap
per hanging loosely from her shoulders.
"Ma," she said in faint voice, "is
my breakfast ready ] am so hungry.
Eyes, my dear" replied Mrs. Wal
lace, not at all alarmed by her daugh-
ter's looks, having seen the same thing
every morning for two years. 81 told
Ann to keep j, on the stove--ring the
bell, and she will bring it up
"Ah' Tommy, ring the bell, do"