Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1846-08-28
From the Western Citizen.
Female Trials.

W SNi ui"hJS ohllS llCy NlCn
| read selections made by Editors of w
papers, even Christian Citizens which
are designed for its married ladies', setting
forth our duty with relation to "making
homes happy 10 our husbands, that we should
Always welcome them with a cheerful smile
when they come in from the care and fatigue
of the day, and do all we can to make mar
ried life pleasant to them, &C." Now this
is well, | acknowledge, and | trust | strive
daily to reduce so good a theory to practice.
But allow me to inquire if the cares and fa-
tigues of the wife are always might say,
erer appreciated by the husband
Shall | give a short sketch of domestic life
as IL is? not of course describing d family as
il should be, but | wish to give a fair exam
pie of every day life, at home.
My neighbor, Mr.. Benson, is a LAWYER by
profession, and is what the world calls a re-
spectacle man. His income is small, but he
married u lady who was able to furnish their
house hand somely, and they have some hope
of property in Teversion. Mrs. B. was edu.
Gated in modern times, and somewhat fash
ionably; so that the host of evils, which ig-
norant young house-keepers ARE heir to-"
carne thick and fast upon her, when she start
ed on the doubted pilgrimage of matrimonial
life.
But she had firm principles, energy of
character, and devoted love for her husband
all good stimulants in the path of duty
She braved, like a heroine, all The teapot
tempests" which often come from clouds not
so "big as a mans hand" and in due time
succeeded in making a cheerful and faithful
manager of their economical establishment
Mrs. Is. has been a wife twelve years, and is
a mother Of five children, the youngest but a
babe, and the family are as happy as a large
portion of families.
1t is Monday morning, and this speaks
" unutterable things" to a New England
wife, who has been married q dozen years.
Mr.. Benson has had his breakfast in season
has kissed the children and gone to the of
flee where the boy has good fire--the books
and papers are all in order, and Mr.. b. sits
down TO answer a few agreeable demands up
on his time, which will eventually tuln to
cash. lie goes home to his dinner punctual-
ly at one o'clock-it is ready for him-he
takes II quietly, perhaps -frolics ten minutes
with the baby, and then hurries back to the
office. At the hour for tea, he goes home
everything is cheerful, and TO quote the SIM
pie rhyme of an old song,
The hearth was clean, the fire was clear,
The kettle on for tea;
Benson was in his rocking chair,
And blessed as man could he.
But how has it been with Mrs. Benson
through the day! She has an ill-natured
girl in the kitchen who will do half the work
only. at nine shillings per week. Monday
morning eight o'clock-four children must
be ready for school-Mrs. b. must sponge
their faces-smooth their hair-see that books,
states, pencils, paper, pocket-handkerchiefs,
Eyes, four Of theln,) are all in order--and now
the baby is crying--lhe fire is low---it is time
Sally should begin to wash---the parlor, the
chambers, the breakfast things are all wait
ing. Well! by a song 10 the baby, who lies
kicking in the cradle-a smile TO smooth ruff
fled Sally, and with al! the energy that mind
and body can summon, things are g straiten-
ed out" and the lofty pile of weeks rear
ing, begins 10 grow less, but time shortens
with lit is almost dinner time--by some
accident the Joint ofmeat is frozen-company
calls--Mr. Benson forgot to get any eggs on
Sdturday--Mrs. B. must do the next best
way-the bell rings twelve---,he door opens
and in rush the children from school--John
has torn his pantaloons-Mary must have
some money, then, to get a new thimble, she
has just lost hers--William has cut his fin
ger with a piece of glass, and Is calling loud
~ lOI " ilOlllGIs
Poor Mrs. Benson endeavors to keep cheer
full and look delighted in the hubbub and
now the dinner, by her efforts alone, is on
the table; her husband comes in, and per-
haps wonders the "pie is not a little better
warmed" and with this comment, and a smile
on the baby, he is off, till it is time for tea
| forbear to finish the day, Mr.. Editor, and
shall only say, the afternoon is made up of
little trials, too small to mention, but large
enough TO try the faith and patience of all the
patriarchs.
Now, sir, this wife has surely borne the
" burden and heat of the day "---her limbs
are wearied--hor whole energy Of mind and
body exhausted, and she is exhortcd .'to vel
come her husband with a smile" She does
ii, for in woman love is stronger than death.
| would ask, should not Mr.. Benson give his
wife a smile! What has he done to tighten
her cares through the day? How is it? In
nine cases out Of ten, after sitting idle an
hour, she wishes Mrs. b. would put all
those noisy children to bed---he should be
glad to have her tell David to 90 to the post
office for letters and papers---and at length,
when half way between sleeping and waking,
he looks at his pale, exhausted heLp-meet, and
oxclalms, Well wife, you begin to look a
l't'la fatiguel,'