Litchfield enquirer., 1844-06-06

/ was proud was Selt-Wllled; was unyleldlng.
Elements like these can never come into opposition
without victory on either side being disastrous
as the defeats. Wewere married Oh, how sweet
was the promise of my wedding day! Ofmy hus-
band was very fond. Handsome, educated, and
with talents of high order, there was every thing
about him to make the heart OF young wife proud.
Tenderly we loved each other. Like days in
Elysium passed the first few months of our welded
life. Our thoughts and wishes were one. After
that, gradually change appeared to come over my
husband He deferred less readily to my wishes
His own will was more frequently opposed to mine,
and his contentious for victory longer and longer
continued. This surprised and panied me. But
it did not occur to me- that my tenaciousness of O.
pinion might seem as strange to him as did his to
me. 1t did not occur to me, that there would be
proprety in my deferring to him, at least far as
to give up opposition. never for moment refec-
ted that prond. firm spirited man, might be driv-
en- off from an opposing wife, rather than drawn
closer, and united in tenderer bonds only per-
ceived my rights as an equal assailed. And from
that point of view, saw his conduct as dogmatcal
and overbearing, whenever he resolutely set him
self against me, far too frequently the case.
Some day,-we had then been married about six
months,-he said to me, little seriously, yet sm-
ling as he spoke, Jane, did not see you on the
street this morning" sYou did, replied 'And
with Mrs. CorbinS sYes.' My answer to this last
question was not given in very pleasant TONE
The reason was this. Mrs Corbin a recent &C |
quaintance, was no favorite with my husband; and
he had more than once mildly suggested that she
was not, in his view, fit associate for me. This
rather touched my pride. It occurred to me, that
l ought to be the best judge Of my female ascot
ates and that for my husband to make any objections
was assumption his part, that, as wife, was
called on to resist. ] did not, on previous occa-
sions, say any thing very decided, contenting my
self with parrying his objections laughingly This
time, however, | was in less forbearing mood
Il wish you would not make thai woman your FRIEND
he said, after had admitted that he right in
his observation. And why not, pray" l asked,
looking at him quite steadily For reasons before
given, Jane, he replied, mildly, but firmly. There
are reports in circulation touching her character
that Ifear are - sThey are false I interrupt
ed him. i know they are false! Ispoke with a
sudden excitement. My voice trembled, my cheek
burned, and was conscious that my eye shot forth
no mild light. They are true-I know they are
truep Mr.. Cleaveand said, sternly, but apparent
ly unrufled. Il don't believe it, retorted. Il
knew her far better. She is an injured woman
"' jane my husband now said, his voice slight
ly trembling,-you are my wife. As such, your
reputation is dear to me as the apple of my eye
Suspicion has been cast upon Mrs. Corbin, and
that suspicion have good reason for believing well
founded. If you associate with her-lf you are
upon the street with her, your fair fame will
receive faint. This cannot permit
I" There was, to my mind, threat contained in
the last SENTENCE threat of authoritive interview
ton. At this my pride took fire.
"Cannot permit l said, drawing myself up
What do you mean, Mr.. Cleaveland"
"The brow of my husband instantly flushed
| He was silent for moment or two Then he said,
| with forced calmness, yet in a resolute, meaning
| tone, -t
"' Jane, do not wish you to keep company with
| Mrs. Corbin.' ..... i
"sI wnLn was my indignant reply.
ellis face grew deadly pale. For a moment his
whole frame trembled as if some searful struggle
were going on within Then he quietly arose, and
without looking at me, lett the room. Oh how
deeply did regret uttering those unhappy words
| the instant they were spoken! But repentance
came too late. For about the space Of ten minutes,
pride struggled with affection and duty. AT the
end of that time the latter triumphed and hasten
ed after my husband to ask his forgiveness for what
l had said. But he was not in the parlours He
was not in the house asked servant if she had
seen him, and received for arepy that he had gone
| out.
"Anxiously passed the hours until nightfall.-
| The sad twilight, as it gathered dimly around,
threw deeper gloom over my heart. My husband
usually came home before dark Now he was a.
way beyond his accustomed hour. Instead of re-
turning gladly to meet his young wife, he was
staying away. because that young wife had thrown
off the attractions of love and presented to him fea
lures harsh and repulsive. How anxiously long
ed to hear the sound of his tootsteps-to see his
| face-to hear his voice. The moment OF his en-
| trance / resolved should be the moment OF my
humble confession Of wrong-of my faithful prom
Use never again to set up my will determinedly in
opposition to his judgement. But minute after
minute passed after nghtfall--hours succeeded
minutes-and these rolled on until the whole night
wore away, and he came not back to me. AS the
gray light Of morning stole into my chamber, ter
rible fear took hold Of me that made my heart grow
still in my boson-the fear that he would never
return-that had driven him off from me. Alas !
this fear was too nigh the truth The whole of
that day passed and the next and the next, without
any tidings. No one had seen him since he left
me- An anxious excitement spread among all his
friends The only account could give of him,
was that he had parted from me in good health, land
in sane mind.
ga week rolled by, and still no word came /
was nearly distracted. What suffered no tongue
| can tell no heart conceive. have often wonder
ed that did not become insane. But, from this
sad condition was saved. Through all, my rea-
son, though often trembling, did not once forsake
me- 1t was on the tenth day from that upon which
had Jared so heavily as TO be driven widely asun-
der, that a letter came to me, post marked New
York, and endorsed In haste My hands tremb-
led 30 that could with difficulty break the SEAL
The contents were to the effect that my husband
had been lying for several days at of the hotels
there, very iii, but past the crisis Of his dis
ease and thought by the physician to be out of dan
ger. The writer urged me, from my husband, to
come ON Immediately. In eight hours from the
time received that letter was in New York
Alas! It was too late The disease had returned
with double violence and snapped the feeble thread
of life. never saw my husbands living face
again." ..er .34s.as.1.
4 The self-possession Of Mrs. cleveland, at this
part of her narrative, gave way. Covering her face
with her hands, she sobbed violently, while the