The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-03-15
is still capable of becoming truly lovely
and ralaable acomdn =


About two years after the marriage Of
Mary Sumner, Mrs. Berry became not in
deed rich, bat poor tcido;c. 1t was al
together an unlooked>for calamity. She
had never remembered that her husband
was mortal never imagined period when
he would be unable to toll, to crafty her
wishes, and supply her wants. She was
left nearly destitute. Not farth;ng that
MIR. Berry owed any one, was left unpaid
but after the debts were discharged. little
remained for the fe and two daughters.
Did the double calamity that had fallen
on the widow open her eyes to her former
improvident and injudicious management,
or TO her real unkindncss to her husband ?
Not in the least. She murmured, she fret
ted, against every one but herself, and her
daughters. To the pious heart it was shock
ing to hear her speak of the Providence that
had bereft her to the friends of her decea-
sed husband, it was nearly intolerable to
hear her virtually reproach his memory, for
not leaving her amply endowed.
Il cannot sympathize with your aunt, TINY
dear Mary said Mr.. Parks 81 cannot g.
venipity her. So far as it was in her pow
or to do it, she degraded your excellent ur-
Gle 10 the condition Of bondman! Much
as mourn his death. on your account and
on my own, rejoice that he is removed 10
world where the pride, the folly, the sell
fishess Of a wife can no longer cause care
to sit on his brow, nor anxiety to corrode
his heart. So far as she is concerned, |
feel that size is meeting her just reward
what will become of herr said the weep
ing Mary.
Il know NOT replied her husband. For
the wealth of the world. | would not have
her an inmate in my family. Our dear do
nestle happiness must be the sacrifice
Nor my cousins neither 2 asked the ten
der hearted, sympathizing, selfsacriicing
wife.
Not Lucretia. for the wealth of t,eo
worlds said Mr.. Parks with energy. But
if you wish it my dear wife if in any way
il will be comfort, a consolation TO you,
we will invite Diana TO make home with
u.s.
'Oh, how much thank you,' said Mary.
love Diana for her own sake but indie.
pendently of that, for the sake Of my dear
uncle, would do anything in my power TO
make those happy who laid so heavily on
his heart
Agreeably to this plan, Diana Berry was
invited TO make the house of Mr.. Parks her
home: an invitation which was gladly land
gratefully accepted. Mrs. Berry quartered
herself on brother, who could ill afford
such an addition to his family; but who, if
he could not so far overcome her habits as
to make her useful, determined that she
should give him no expense that was avoid
able. Lucretia, like the Levite of Bethle.
ham Judah, went where she could find a
place, provided always, that it was among
the wealthy, or at least, the fashionable
But everywhere she was considered trial,
a tax, burden; and each friend was hap.
py TO relinquish her society to any other
friend who might request it.
One day Mr.. Parks CHANGED to meet his
friend Eaton, and after the usual common.
places. the latter said Diana Berry has
now been an inmate in your family for some
time. What do you think Of her 2
81 think her, answered Mr.. Parks, a
very lovely and interesting woman
'Trulyl'
Truly. Both Mary and myself love her
as we should love sister. And she is not
only lovely and interesting she is a ralua-
Die and useful member of our family
Then said Mr.. Eaton with animation,
i will rob you of her as soon as CAMP
You will rob us of a highly valued treas
ure,' said Mr.. Parks nevertheless, | hear.
tly wish you success
i shall succeed said Mr.. Eaton. Il
have loved Diana for years; loved her ex>
clusively; and 1 think my affection is re.
turned. | feared TO marry her, as you
know; but now that she has had opportu.
nifty to see the management of family of
the right stamp; one in which the wife
feels honoured by the respect with which
she regards her husband, and seeks her own
happiness in promoting his-now that she
learned that true elegance, refinement, and
gentility. are perfectly consistent with USE
ful empoyent; | will follow the dictates
of my heart, and offer her all have to be-
stow. Soon, Uery soon, my friend, he ad.
ded, l will quit this solitary life of a bach
eior. and try to have firesido of my own,
quiet as yours, and cheered by the smiles of
an amable, sympathizing, and useful wife =
May all yenr cheerful anticipations be
fully realized said Mr.. Parks, for they are
reasonable. Youth, in tine first flush of
passion, with an Imagination all sunshine,
may think it the height oflelicity to have
lovely, helpless creature, clinging to him,
alone tor protection and happiness; but in
attempting to realize his beautiful vision, he /!
too often finds that his peace, bis comfort !
and his usefulness are destroyed. Instead (
OF sunbeam at his side, to gid his path
through the journey of life, he finds he has
a clog, constantly TO fetter and annoy him. !
Life is made up Of stern realities and a /
man IN this working day world needs a
a friend, oftentimes counsel
Tor. His wife should be one, who would be
willing to share his cares, as well as his
Joys; to participate in his labours, as in his
Such an one is my own Mary:
such an one, doubt not, the object of your
will proye to he I donbt not