Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-05-17


shorter and some a longer PERIOD that do not seem
to be united by any closer bonds.'
1t is the condition Of these young friends, aunt,
that causes me to feel serious. ] am to be mar
ried in few weeks. Can it be possible that my
union with Henry Armour will be no happier, no
more perfect than theirs !? This cannot believe. |
And vet, the relation that Alice and Frances hold
to their husbands, troubles me whenever think of
it. Henry, far as have been able to understand
him, has strong points in his character From a
right course OF action,-or from course that he
thinks rght,---no consideration, am sure, would
turn him. J, too have mental characteristics some.
what similar. There is, likewise, about me leav-
en- of slubbornness. tremble when the thought
Of opposition between u.s. upon any subject, cross
| es my mind. | would rather desc | feel about
it--than ever have misunderstanding with my
husband
| Laura ceased, and her aunt, who was, she now
perceived, much agitated, arose and left the room
without speaking. The reason of this to Laura
was altogether unaccountable. Her aunt Cleave.
land, always so mild, so calm TO be thus strongly
disturbed What could it mean i? What could
there be in her madenly fears to excite the feelings
! of one good, and wise and gentle An hour af-
forwards, and while she yet sat- sober and perplex
ed in mind, in the same place where Mrs. Cleave-
land had left her, domestce in and said that
her aunt wished to see her in her own room. Lau
ra attended her Immediately She found her calm
and self possessed, but paer than usual.
sit down beside me, dear Mrs cleveland SAID,
smiling family, as her neice came in.
| What you said this morning, Laura she began,
after few moments, recalled my own early years
so wildly, that could not keep down emotions |
had deemed long since powerless. The cause Of
those emotions it is now, clearly see, my duty to
jrevea-that is, to you. For years have carefully
avoided permitting my mind to go back to the past
in vain muslng over scenes that bring no pleasant
thoughts no clad feelings ] have rather, looked
into thn futu n ctr I ro1,
But, for your sake will draw aside the veil. May
the relation am about to give you have the effect
| desire. Then shall not suffer in vain. How Vi
wildly, at this moment do remember the joyful feel
ings that pevaded my bosom when, like you mai
den, looked forward to my wedding day. Mr.
Cleaveland was man, in many respects like Hen
ry Armour. Proud, firm, yet gentle and amiable
when not opposed;-a man with whom | might
have been supremacy happy; "a man whose faults
might have corrected-not by open opposition to
them-not by seeming to notice them,-but by
leading him to see them himself But this course
did not pursue. | was proud; ! was self-willed ;
was unyiedng. Elements like these can never
come into opposition without victory either
side being disastrous as the defeat. We were
married. Oh, how sweet the promise Of my
wedding day OF my husband was very fond.
Handsome, educated, and with talents Of high
order, there every thing about him to make the
heart of Il young wife proud. Tenderly we loved
puoocu
first few months of our welded life. Our thoughts
and wishes were one After that, gradually a
change appeared to come over my husband. He
deferred less readily to my wishes. His own will
was more frequently opposed to nine and his con-
tentons for victory longer continued This sur
prsed and panied me- But it did not occur to me,
that my tenaciousness of opinion might seem as
strange to him as did his to me. 1t did not occur
TO me, that there would be propriety in my defer
ring to hlm-at least so far as to give up opposl-
ton. / never for anoment reflected that proud,
firm-spirted man, might be driven off from OPP
posing wife, rather than drawn closer, and united
in tender bonds. | only perceived my rights as an
equal assailed And from that point of view, saw
his conduct as dogmatcal and overbearng, when.
ever he resolutely set himself against me, as was
far too frequently the CASE
'One dly-we had been married about SIX
months--he said to me a little seriously, yet smil
ing as he spoke, jane did not | see you on the
street this morning" You did, replied 'And
with Mrs. Corbin @ Yes My answer to the
n. question was not given in very pleasant tone
The reason was this Mrs. Corbin, a recent ac
N quaintance was no favorite with my husband; HI
had more than once mildly suggested that she wa
not in his view, fit associate for me. This rattle
touched my pride. 1t occurred to me, that ough
to be the best judge of my female associates, ant
that for my husband to make any objections was al
assumption en- his part, that, a wife, was Gale
to upon to resist. | did not, on previous occasions
i'd say any thing very decided, contentng myself wit
pauying his objections laughingly. This time
as however, was in less forbearing mood. Il wis
you would not make that woman your friend, h
IL said, after had admitted that he right in hi
at observation. 'And why not, pray" / asked, look
ING at him quite steadily. For reasons before civ
o. en-, Jane he replied, mildly but firmly. 'Ther
are reports in circulation touching her charactC
that fear are - They are false? int
rupted him. Il know they are false ? spoke wi,
led nj
cheek burned, and was conscious that my ey
shot forth no mild light 'They are true--I kno
lid they are true Mr.. Cleaveland said, sternly, b
apparently unrufIed. Il don't believe it, rotor
air ed Il know her far better. She is an injured w
man.
:, Jane my husband said, his voice tremblin
'ur 'you are my wife. AS such your reputation
dear to me as the apple of my eye. Suspicion h
On been cast upon Mrs Corbin, and that suspicion
rry have good reason for believing well founded.
lto you associate with her-f you are seen upon Il
ew street with her your fair fame will receive tail
she This cannot permit
hat There was to my mind threat contained in t
BE- last sentenCe-a threat Of authoritative interye
the ton NJ this my pride took fire.
cad Cannot permit, | said, drawing myself up.
ice. What do you mean, Mr. Cleveland"
FAX. Tho brow Of my husband instantly flushed.
all was silent for moment or two. Then he So
ink with forced calmness, yet in Il resolute, meani
gh- tone,
I'M Jane do not wish YOU to keen company W
rick Mrs Corbin.'
y Il wILLr was my indignant reply.
our His face grew deadly pale For moment
the whole frame trembled as if some fearful strug
dis was going on within. Then he quietly arose, 4
so. without looking at me left the room. Oh h
lua deeply did regret uttering those unhappy wo
ade the instant they were spoken! But repentaI
you came too late. For about the space Of ten m
sur utes pride struggled with affection and duty.
Ied the end of that time the latter triumphed ant
nus fastened after my husband to ask his forgiven
his for what | had said. But he was not in the p
,on- lors. He was not in the house | asked a
sive Want if she had seen him. and received for re
her that he had gone out.
'Anxously passed the hours until nightfall
say the sad twilight it gathered dimy around TIN
lave a deeper gloom over my heart. My husband Il
she ally came before dark. Now he was away beyC
has his accustomed hour Instead of returning ola