Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-09-15
The marriage of Tudor and Amelia was

poncd; but at length took place. The man
ly virtues Of the husband inspired respect
his kindness insured gratitude, and the shrink
ing away from society by Amelia, was con-
strI,cd by Tudor INTO special affection for
himself; who could tell that il was not so 2
The constant attentions which virtuous
wife bestows on a worthy, loving husband,
must, to him at least, seem 10 be the evil
dence of love.
| But the health Of Amelia gave way, and
her husband found il necessary to convey her
to one of the West India Islands to avoid the
rigors and changes of the winter months in
the middle states.
Put into my trunk said she to her SER
want, that work box-a Christmas present,
said she TO her husband, from Mr.. Wilder,
and have not used it since the night before
the day you troubled my mother 50 early for
an answer
Poor Wider,' SAID Tudor, :. hope he
finds himself well and easy where he is if
he stands ever in need trust iha, he will re-
n'""5cr tina, he has friends who arc able and
vii Ing 10 serve him.
A tear gIislcned in the eye of Amelia her
husband kissed the cheek Which il wet, and
advised haste in further packing.
When Tudor and lis wife reached Ha-
vana, they made preparations for "A winters
residence in the interior of the island, and
founo themselves comfortably among those
who derivc,. benefit from their expenditures,
and were anxious 10 ,rolong the advantages
of the visit by multiplying IT'S comforts.
One day when alone III he" chamber,
Amelia opened her trunk, and discovered
the small box, the present of Wilder, w':c'.
she had brought from home, and she deter
mined to dispose therein her housewife ac-
compartments. On opening the box she
discovered a neatly folded letter, sealed and
addressed to Miss Amelia Wilberson. She
hastily broke the seal and read.
Philadelphia, Jan'y 16, 1871.
Miss Wilberson: have for months sought
to express to you in words the feelings and
the wishes with which your charms have in
spired me. am inscnsible of my unwortlii-
ness; bu, cannot answer to my own heart
for tho lasting misery l should inlic, upon
myself were at this moment and under ex-
islng circumstances TO allow my fears and my
consciousness of undeservedncss to prevent,
me from addressing you by letter. l am I'M
able at the present moment to find an OPP
porluni,y 10 address you orally. How much
and how long have ventured 10 love you
will not attempt to describe; but know
that my proposition may come too late to-
morrow. May hope-may | venture 10
approach your paren,s with the assurance
that you have no, orbdden ne give me at
least few weeks to hope in-l know where
tl,., Innnnr lins and ,,I,n &c ri,,.l-I 1,,
him no wrong-I only ask that may win
your aileclions-if he has them, then God
bless him-may be he is blessed-and he is
worthy the bcssing-l will call at your door
To morrow morning, if you will not sire me,
Il single word by letter, through your servant,
will inform me Of my fate and my duty.
Most respectfully,
HENRY WILDER.
When Tudor returned to the room, his
wife was sitting apparently distracted, with
the letter of Wilder crushed in her hands,
She seemed the very picture Of despair
Are you well = asked he.
Il am faint, very faint
While Tudor hastened TO procure some
aid, Amelia thrust the letter into her trunk,
and awaited her husbands return.
From that day, Tudor marked change
in the conduct of his wife a scverer dis
charge Of duties, and more fixed attention to
religious concerns. The spring arrived, and
Tudor and his wife returned to Havana, and
took passage for the United States.
Whether Tudor had imbded disease in
Havana, or whether other causes operated,
it was not known; but he had scarcely
reached his house in Philadelphia, before he
fonnd himself so unwell that he was compel
led to call in medical advice. The disease
gained strength, and Amelia, laying aside all
other duties, or managing them in those of
the wife, devoted herself, night and day, to
the care of her husband. No application
was made to hin-nO medicine administer
ed, without her direction. She lowered over
his bed like a guardian angel, and seemed to
lose all thoughts of self in her devotion 10 the
sick. 1t was noticed by some as remarka-
BILE, that the care and attention, nay the Ian
guage of Amelia to her husband had less of
the tender. wie-ike solicitude, than of the
thorough devotion, the all-sacrGcing alien
! ton of the careful nurse. II is difficult TO
describe in words the difference between
these two Kinds of attention, and vet the diff
ference is obvious to some. Religious devo-
tim, solemn sense of duly TO our kind, a
deep and abiding sympathy for the Suffering,
and familiarity with the office, will make
the sick-hed abors of one most efficient,
most useful. lfto these be added deep un-
disturbed particular affection, then there is IA
longer resting Of the eyes upon the patient
after the attention bestowed the hand lin
gers We more upon the temple it bathes
and closer breathing is observed, as some
new Symptom is developed. 1t is not the
duty performed. but that which is to be dis
charged, something Of a slight Jealousy Of
all that il would share in, lest they Should
monopoize the labors.
Amelia did her duty fahfnlIy-and when
the CLEAN Of reason returned TO her husband
he thanked her for all her wife-like cares
her patience with him under all trials, anl
especially for the unceasing attention will
which she had solaced him in sickness, anC
smoo,hed his bed Of death. IAN these HI
added. as he turned his bright eye upon hi
> wife. full of grateful affection, all these
Amelia. all these are fruits of YOUR undivided