The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-21
THE GAY YOUNG WIFE AND THE Sc
RIOUS HUSBAND.

This morning at FIVE o'clock set out on the
way to Carlfors to fetch Ebba The weather
was as fine as could wish, and at six o'clock
found Ebba at the appointed place, ready dress
ed, full Of enthusiasm, and impahently await
ing me. With the exception of the dOmestics,
nobody was up but she, and SO we set out. At
first she leaped, and talked, and laughed, and
sang, rejoicing in her life like bird but no
sooner had we reached large, beautiful, and
thick wood, which lies about midway between
Carlfors and Rosenvik, than she became suddenly
quiet. 1t was, in fact, situation calculated to
excite pleasant and serious thought at the same
time. 1t was perfectly still. Large dewdrops
hung on the leaves Of the trees, while the golden
rays of the sun breaking through the wood pro-
duced, amid the rich foliage, innumerable beau
tiful effects of light and shade The air was in
describably pure and delicious, and Ebba volun-
tarily went slower, while walked silently be-
side her. A solemn mood was over me, and
now and then glanced at her. soft paleness
overspread her beautiful young face; certain
which were filled with tears, looked slowly
around as if full of astonishment-she beheld a
new world!
At that moment bird struck wonderful, en-
chanting notes. One might have thought him
endowed with thinking soul.
go, what is that? 2" asked Ebba, astonished
and standing still.
L
little in the beloved, but SO rarely heard song.
Ebba listened long, looked long, as if listening
to everything around her 1t seemed as if her
spiritual ear had now, for the first time, awoke
to the high song of life
Gracious heavens !" she whispered, how So
lemn it is, how wonderful, how beautiful"
/ repeated, half aloud, the words Of Tegnier:
"Ah! if so much Of beauty pours itself
Into each vein of life and of creation,
IIopy hac, c,l .,,,ott I,oo osrh o
The Bright, the Eternal!''
Ebba threw herself weeping into my arms,
and clasped her to me with sisterly affection.
"Ah, FranZiska," said she, +" / know not how
feel! | am happy, and yet must weep! 1t is
SO beautiful around me. Tell me what is this
like?"
''iLife," replied.
Life" she repeated, astonished, "but life
has SO many unaccordant, SO many adverse
scenes"
Yes" said ], "but what we see at this mo-
ment resembles the truth of lile-the inward re.
ality Of life-which is serious, yet at the same
time JOYFUL
al do not perfectly understand you," said Eb.
ba, laying her hand on her forehead, but think
half guess thoughts pass through my mind
but cannot arrange them"
!" In time, dear Ebba," replied, "you will
understand them better"
And if 4 understand that seriousness of life,
said she, /" of which you speak, should then b.
joyful, and laugh as now?'
40, yes" answered, /" then for the first time
Ebba, would you be truly joyful and happy; ther
you would not, as now, have so much i'll hume
and so many weary moments.
:. | will learn the seriousness Of life" said she
cheerfully; "but then who would teach me
Jane Maria cannot do it, you could, but then
shall soon leave YOU"
"Do you know, Ebba," asked |, "whom th
y wood scene resembles 2"
"Whom2"
"Your husband" | replied.
Ebba looked at me with sparkling eyes, and
said, /" i believe you are right"