Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-02-16
MISCELLANEOUS.
WOMAN AND MARRIAGE.
BY N. P. WILLIS.


beautiful women. the pride IF gay circles
married, as the world says-weli! Some
have moved into costly iouses, and iheil
friends have all come anil looked at thei,
fine furniture and their splendid arrange.
ments for happin as, amt they have gone
away and committed them TO their sun
NJ hopes checrfulls and without fear
1t IS natural to be san3uIne For the young,
ii at such times am carried away by
similar feelings. love to get unobSer-
we'd into A cornc,, aud watch the bride
in her attire, and with her smiling face
and her snft eyes mnviug before me IN
their pride of life weave waking dream
of her future happiness. anal persuade my
sell that it viii be true. think how
thew will sit unnu the luxYrious sofa as
the tv HIGHT fails. an:i build gay hopes.
and murIns,r in ioW tones the now im0'd-
den tenderness; and how thrlllm9iy the
allowed kiss. and the beautiful endear-
ments of welded life, viii make even
their parting Joyous, and how gladly
come back from the crowd ami the empty
mirfh Of the CAV to each others quiet
co nDGtlH. PIT tai { " i' 49, ''iH
creature. who bluShes even now at his
hesitating caress, listening eagerly Tor
his footsteps as the night steals on, and
wishing that he would come; and when
he enters at last. and, with an affection
as undying as his pulse. folds her to his
bosom, can feel the very tide that goes
flowing through his heart, ard gaze with
delight on her graceful form as she moves
about him for the kind Offices Of affection,
soothing all his unqnlet cares. andmaking
hin, forget even himself in her young and
unshadowed beauty.
90 forward for years. AMI see her
luxurant hair put sobery away from her
brow, and her glrllsh graces ripen INTO
dignity, and her bright lovellhess chaS-
tened with the gentle meekness OF mater
nal aft ction. Her husband looks OF her
with y nrou,i eve, and shows her the
same fervent love and the same delicate
attentions which first won her. and fair
children are growing up ABBOTT them, ard
they 90 on fall Of honor and untroubled
wears, and are remembered when they
die!
saw love to dream thus when | go
to give the young bride joy. II Is the
natural tendency Of feeling touched by
loveliness. that fears nothing for itself,
and if ever | Weld to dArkened feelings;
it is because the light of the picture is
changed. am not fond of dwelling
upon such changes. aud | will not mi
nutely now. aliude to it only because
l trust that my simple page will be read
by some OF the young and beautiful be-
incs who daily move across my path;
and would whisper to them, as they
glide by joyously and confidently. the
secret of an unclouded future.
- The nicture I have drawn above is not
naculiar. 1t is colored like the tancles
of the bride; and many, oh! many an
hour will she sit. with her rich jewels
living oosen her fingers, and dream such
dreams as these. She believes them too
and she goes on for a while unde-
3ceived. The evening is not too long
while they talk Of plans for happiness,
land the quiet meal is still pleasant and
deliohtfal novelty of mutual reliance and
attention. There comes soon, however,
time when personal toyics become bare
and wearisome, and slightattentions VIII
not alone keep up the social excitement.
There are long intervals OF silence, ant
detected symptoms OF WEAKNESS; ans
the husband. first. in his manhood, breaks
in upon the hours they were wont II
speud together. | cannot follow it cir
cums+antially. There come long hour
of unhappy restlesshess, and terrible ms
eiyings of each others worth and atfac
ton, TIL, bv-and-by, they can concea
their uneasiness no longer. and 60 Oh
separately to seek relief, and lean upo
the hollow world for the support wh'c
one who has promised to be the'r love
aud friend. could not give them!
Heed this. We who are winning. %
your innocent beauty, the affections {
ligh-minded and thinking beings. Re
member that he will give up the brothe
of his heart, with whom he has had eve
fellowship of mind. the s0ciety OF hi
contemporary runners in the race of tam'
WHO have held with him stern compar
l,nship; and frequently in his passlona'
love. he will break away from the aren
of his burrling ambition, to come and Ii
ten to the ..yoice cf the charmer.
will bewilder him at first; but it will nj
loag. And then. think you that an ii
blanJishment will chain the mind tn;
ha, been used for years. to an equ
communion? Think you he will give l
for weak dalliance, the animate
themes of men, and the search into Il
mysteries Of knowledge? Oh, no, lad,
beiieve me. no. Trust not your inf
ence to such !ieht letters. Credit NJ
the old-f.shioned absnrtlity, that woman
lsa secondary IDt, minlsteripg to the n,
eessities of her lord and master. If you
lmmmtasity is as complete, and your ri
OF mlEd as capable as oars, would On
no wisdom of mine against Gods allot
ment. wouldscharge you to water tn
uhdylng bud. and olive If healthy cul