Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1848-12-29


Their women. He saw many more beautiful.
nore graceful, more accomplished, and of
igher intellectual cultivation; but none of
,Aen seemed so charmingly simple and true
s Alice White. s'Do not talk to me any
more about change in my feelings he said;
| Il like your principles, like your dispo-
| sition, like your thoughts, like your WAYS:
ard always shall like them thus assn,
red, Alice joyfuliy dismissed her fears, and
became his wife.
Rich beyond comparison is a man who is
loved by an intelligent woman. so full of
home affections. Especially if she has learn
ed humility, and gained strength, in the
school OF early hardship and privation. But
It IS only beautiful souls who learn such les
sons IN adversely. In lower natures it en-
genders discomfort and envy, which change
to pride and extravaganza in the hour OF pros
perity. Alice had always been made happy
by the simplest means; and now, though her
husband S income was moderate one, her
lntultlVe taste and capable fingers made his
| home little bower of beauty. She seemed
| happy as bird in her cozy nest; and so
grateful, that George said, half Jest, half in
earnest, he believed women loved their hus-
/ bands as the only means society left them of
procuring homes over which to preside
4 Their was much truth in the remark; but it
PANIED her sensitive and affectionate nature,
because 1t lntruded upon her the idea of sell
hshness mingled with her love. Thence
/ forth she said less about the external blessings
OF home; but in her inmost soul she enjoy
ed 1t, like an earthly heaven. And George
seemed to eni oy it almost as much as herself.
Again and again he said he had never dream
ed domestic companioaship was so rich bles-
sing His wife though far less educatsd than
himself, had nature capable of the highest
cultivation. She was always an intelligent
listner; and her quick intuitions often under
stood far more than he had expressed or thot'.
1 Poor as she was she had brought better fur
nltIre for his home than mahogany chairs and
marble tables.
Smoothly glided away, year wherz little
daughter came into the domestic circle, like
flower brought by angels. George had
often laughed at the credulous fondnesS of
9th er parents, but he really thought his child
was the most beautiful one he had ever seen.
In her countenanceand movements he discov-
cred all manner Of rare gifts. He was sure
she had an eye for color, an eye for form, and
an ear for music. She had her mothers deep
eye, and would surely inherit her quick per-
cepti0ns, her loving heart, and her earnestness
of thought. His whole soul seemed bound
up IN her existence. Scarcely the mother
herself was more devoted to all her infant
wants and pleasures. Thus happy were they
with their simple treasure of love and thou't.
when IN an evil hour disturbing influence
/ crossed their threshold. Ii came in the form
OF political excitement that peStilence which
/ IS forever racking through our land, seeking
whom 1t may devour; destroying happy
homes, turning aside our Intellectual strength
from the calm and healthy pursuits Of liter
ature or science, binding conscience, enbit-
tering hearts. rasping the tempers of men,
biighting half the talent Of our country with
It's feverish breath.
At that time, our citizens We're much excl
ted for and against the election of Gen. Har-
rIson. George Franklin threw himself into
the melee, with firm and honest conviction
that the welfare of the country depended on
his election. But the superior and inferior
natures of man are forever mingling in all
his thoughts and actions; and this generous
ardor for the nations good gradually opened
into perspective of fattering prospects for
himself. By the study and industry of
years, ne had laid solid foundation in his
profession, and every year brought some in
crease OF income and influence. But he had
the American patience of slow growth Dis
tlngulshed In some way he had always wish
ed to be; and no avenue to the desired OBJ
ject seemed 50 short as the political race
course. neighbor, whose temperament
was peculiarly prone to these excite
ments, came in often, and invited him to Clubs
and meetings. When Alice was seated at
her evening work, with the hope Of pas ing
one CT their old pleasant evenings, she had
/ nervous dread of hearing the door bell ring,
lest this man should enter. 1t was not that
she wished her husband to sacrifice ambition
and enterprise, and views of patriotic duty,
to her quiet habits. But the excitement seem
ed an unhealthy one. He lived in a state Of
mental intoxication. He talked louder than
formerly, and doubled his fists in the vehe-
mence Of geStlculation. He was restless for
! newspapers, and watched the arrival of mails
as he would once have watched over the life
OF ms child. All calm pleasure became tame
and lnsipid. He was more and more away
from home, and staid late in the night. Al
ice at first sat up to wait for him, but, finding
that not conductive to the comfort OF their
\ child, she gradually formed the habit Of retl-
ring to rest before his return. She was al
ways sure to leave a comfortable arrangement
of the fire, with his slippers in a warm place,
and some slight refreshment prittily laid out
on the table. The first time he saw these 81
lent preparations, instead of the affecuonate
face that usually greeted him, it made him
very sad. The rustic scho0l-house, with its
small belfry, and It's bright little gaTden-plant,
rose up IN the perspective Of memory. and he
retyaced one by one all the incidents Of their
love. Fair and serene came those angles OF
life out Of the paradise Of the past. They
smiled upon him, and asked: ''Are their any
like Us in the troubled path you have now cho-
sen - With these retrospections came some
self-reproaches concerning little kind atten-
tons forgotten, and professional duties neg
lected, under the influence of political excite
ment. He spoke to Alice with unusual ten
derness that night, and voluntarily promised
that, when this election was fairly over, he
would withdraw from active participation IN
politics. But this feeling soon passed away
The nearer the result of the election approach
ed, the more intensely was his Whole being
absorbed in it. One morning, when he was