The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-06-24

went with him. lie departed-and in four days
was at home again. He was on the rack during
the whole period of his absence. Indeed his feel
ings were such, that when he arrived at his house,
he WIS really indisposed. Helen met him with all
due courtesy; expressed her satisfaction he had re-
turned without accident; and regretted his i'm
paired health just as she would have done, had it
been u common acquaintance under a similar cir
custances. She neglected no duty, however, but
nursed him with untirng assiduty ;though with no
more tenderness than her benevolence would have
led her TO manifest to sick stranger.
:" How much longer is this TO last, Helen ?'-l
said Mr. Howard one day, after she had stood for
some time silently bathing his temples, but care
fully avertng her eyes from his. lie clasped her
hand in his as he spoke. Without word in re-
ply, she disengaged her hand, and calmly walked
to closet to replace the vial The contents of which
she had been using.
Mr. Howard closed his eyes, and leaned his
head on the back of his chair, with a suppressed
sigh. lie neither knew what to do, nor what to
think The person who moved about him, who
conversed with him, attended carefully TO all
his wants, seemed entirely another being than his
Helen. Formerly she had been Just like an alice
tionate, confiding, dependent child; every sorrow
was poured into his ear; hei whole soul was laid
bare before him. At once she had become the
dignfed, reserved. eCpossessed woman. She
saidhohng either what pleased, or troubled her.
She expressed neither hopes nor fears nor wishes.
She conversed on any topic he introduced, with
freedom, if themselves were out Of the question:
but here she remained mpeneraby silent. lie.
mind seemed open to his inspection ;ter heart was
Theoretically sealed. Week fowed week, and
month Jagged after month, without producing any
change; but use did not render the new state of
! things any more tolerable to Mr. Howard. lis
conscience told him the work was all his own. Ills
happiness was destroyed, for though to the world
his pride of character made him appear much the
sane as ever, he was in truth wretched too; for
although she uttered no word Of complaint-ex-
pressed neither regret nor sorrow, he knew that
| il must have been stunning blow, which could
have produced so perfect transformation.
| But was lleen's happiness destroyed? ltwere
as rational to ask whether the earth would be light
and cheerful if the sun were blotted from the hea
vcns Love is the sun of the moral universe; it is
the sun Of every society; and with concentrated
beams, it is the sun of domestic life. Without it,
all is dark, and cold and cherries. Intellect may
FASH and blaze and dazzle,- bat if the heart re-
main unmoved it is like the Aurora Borealis of
the irgid zone, Illuminating desolation only Hell
ems heart, so far as her husband was concerned
was left blank. Frequently, and with all her pow
err did she strive to recall her former feelings low
ard him. She knew it was her duty to love him;
her conscience condemned her for her apathy, a.
gain and again would she enumeratc the eycellen-
cies of his character and call back the tenderness
of former years but her efforts were as useless
as if she had strven to soften adamant with tears
The words, 4" no is selfish, arbitrary, and implaca-
Bile" seemed sterotyped on her very soul, and
were first and last to present themselves, wheney-
err she thought on the subject.
I,l. Itn.l IL,
tate her actions toward Mr. Howard was her mind
active IN studying duty. She was too well princ-
pied; had too much sef-respect and too great u
regard to the prophecies of life, to do aught unbe-
coming her relative position; or 10 leave undone
that which could reasonably be demanded of her.
Her husbands welfare and responsibility, she
dcavored to promote to the utmost of her power;
and his happiness, so far as il could be done by
expressing tenderness and affection which she did
not feel; it was contrary to her very nature
! Helen had no colfdlnie. Could she not dis
close her heart to him to whom she was bound by
the nearest Of all ties she would disclose il to none
other. Perhaps, had her mother been living, the
maternal bosom might have been the receptacle Of
her trials but as death had removed this sympah-
zing friend, no other should be substitute. Not
even before her two eldest children, did sho ever
utter word that would betray her secret uneas-
INJURED in the unheeding ear of her youngest boy,
as she pressed him to her heart; and scaIding the
tears she shed upon his head, called forth by her
blasted hopes. Except for her chlldren's sake. life
had no charms for her. To n benumbed heart,
what can be either attractive or interesting yet
! Helen dearly loved her children and on their nc
count life was valuable The human heart tina,
has anything to love, and that is loved in return,
cannot be utterly and remediessly desolate and
wreched.
Had Mr. Howard been what he had now become,
one short year before, he had been among the hap
piesl ofhusbands, and Helen the most beloved Ct
wives. Never, since the first week of their union,
had he been so atentive-so studious TO please her
and never, at any period, so ingenious in devils
ing means TO touch her hear, mot even in the DAYS
of his youth. Ills fiult-fnding, too, was nearly or
lutte gone, for when with Helen he was too much
cngrossed by other cares, 10 allow of his noticing
things Of irang moment. But, alas for himself
alas for her too the change came to late. it was
Z" like pardon after execution
Had llelen's department been different from
what il was, her husbands heart might have been
alenated from her Had she sought pleasure or
sympathy abroad; had she been fielful or negligent
at home, HI would gradually have ceased TO res.
pect, and then TO love her; but in truth, till now,
he had never known Of what she was capable
Formerly he had looked upon her as child that
needed a gnide-a mdsier n lovely, endearing
child, it is iruc,-but child still lie now saw
her high-souled, efficient woman, equal to the
discharge Of the duties of her station. without the
support of any one and, -tIat which was far high.
err proof Of elevation and strength Of character, -
equal to bearing her own sorrows without the aid
Of sympathy. In truth, the heart Of his wife had
never appeared to him so great a treasure-a thing
of such nestimable value, rs now that he had lost
il: never before had he been so much in love
| TO DE CONTINUED.
How 10 mend black stockings.-The Richmond
Star chronicles the following labor-saving inyen-