The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-01-18

most excellent and truly affecuonate
wife,"
Il am sure of that, and have thought a
good deal on the subject of late. But, there
is one question that wish to ask, and yet
have thus far hestated."
"What is that, Harry %
81 am almost ashamed to put it, for fear
that you will misunderstood me, or judge
me harshly."
"Don't fear that: speak out plainly
SIN a word, then-Is she rich p
"Harry Is it possible! p
81 see that you are surprised and dlsap.
pointed. | can read in your face that y on
think me mercenary.- But 90 not misJudge
me. am poor myself, and cannot, for a
very long time, place woman in the posi-
ton in society that wish her whom love
to occupy. From the thought of toll and
obscurity for my wife | shrink. cannot
entertain it for a single moment. That is
the reason why | make money with the wo-
man | marry indispensable not so much
for my own as for her sake. Do you ap.
preciate my motive 2"
81 understand it, Harry, but cannot APP
preciate it. The principle, depend upon it,
is a false one."
81 do not think so. Look around you,
and observe the condition Of nine out of ten
of the wives of our acquaintance moving
in the same circle that we do. Look, for
instance, at the wife of Morrison. My heart
always aches for her when visit them
Tied down to domestic duties, and half of
the time with babe in her arms, what more
can her life be than a scene of tiresome
drudgery? 1t makes me sick to think of
the change that has passed upon the gay,
joyful, light hearted Emily Miller
sand yet she seems contented-nay,
more, happy"
''To me she does not There is something
sad and dreary in the expression of her eye
that always touches my feelings"
"YOu see through perveriing medium,
Harry. If Mrs. Morrison were to hear you
talking thus she would be most profoundly
astonished"
you think so ?"
Certainly do. She loves her husband
and her children, and, am sure, is far hap
pier, and much more contented in her con-
dItion than you are in yours"
"Well, | can tell You one thing don't
want woman who can be contented under
such circumstances"
"You will have cause to change your
mind before you die, or | am very much
mistaken. In this country wealth is held
by very uncertain tenure, and it behoves
those who possess it to-day, to be prepared
TO come down from their elevation to-mor-
In caolyfpr than
should be, to find one who could be happy
in either condition"
Henry Richmond. the young man who
had professed himself TO be governed by
money in his ideas of marriage, shook his
head, as he replied.
81 cannot see it as you do. And, for nv
pant, am not afraid of becoming poor ifI
once get my hands on good fortune. Give
me the money, and III take care of it But
you have not answered my questlon-ls
Caroline Wentworth rich p
''She is rich in true heart, and in virtu'
Gus principles. No farther,
81 am sorry for it % Richmond replied,
while his countenance fell. 81 feel more
drawn towards her than to any woman |
have ever seem"
Then why not take her as she is, high
minded, affectionate, virtuous woman, worth
more than mountains of silver and gold"
81 have told you my reasons. Charles
Hammond" the young man replied; "and
much as it may pain me, cannot act in
opposition to the plain dictates of common
sense"
"Your reasonings, rest assured, Harry,
are altogether fallacious. Money cannot
add to The real happiness ofthe married
life"
"You certainly cannot be in earnest -
Have you forgotten the adage, that when
poverty comes in al the door, love flies out
of the window p
81 do not found my philosophy of life
upon current adages, eight out of ten of
which are false in their applications. TRY
TO look upon the world with my own, not
with the eyes Of others"
"But, if ever there was a true adage, that
| am pursuaded is true. How can love ex-
ist where there is on the part of the wife, a
necessity for wearying toll, accompanied
with many privations?''
"Your views are entirely too vague, Har-
~. You deal too mnch in generals Let
us come down to matter of fact conside-
ration of the subject"
"Very well. The more so the better"
"In the first place, then, you are clerk
in an old, substantial house, and your sala-
ry is"
Twelve hundred dollars"
"Very well. And you consider your sit
uation permanent"
80 yes; as long as choose to retain it.
And what is more, look for an advance of
salary soon; at least within the next year.
And beyond that, as have thorough
knowledge of the business, look for an in
terest in the concern, or a connection with
some man of capital in an independent bu-
siness."
"All very fair, and all within the bounds
of a reasonable expectation. Now, with
salary of twelve hundred dollars year, and
all this in prospect, why are you so anxious
for a rich wife ?"
| "Because | wish nv wife 10 live in