Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-01-20
From The Ladies' National Magazine.
"My Fortunes Made -
BY MARY ALExINA SMITH.


saying, Just out Of band box. Cori
was belle, Of course, and had mani
I admirers. Among the number o. these
was a young man named Edward Doug.
lass, who was the very sphinx" of neat
ness, in all manners pertaining to dress,
and exceeding particular in his observ
ance of the little proprieties Of life.
i saw, from the first, that i( Douglas ss
pressed his suit, Cora's heart would be
an easy conquest and SO it proved.
\ a" How admirably they are fitted for
each other," / remarked to my husband
on the night of the wedding. Their
tastes are similar, and their habits so
much alike, that no violence vii be
done to the feelings Of either, in the
more intimate associations that marriage
brings. Both are neat in person and
orderly by instinct and both have good
principles"
From all present appearances, the
match will be good one," replied my
husband. There was, thought, some
thing like reservation in his tone.
/" Do you really think 50 - said, a
little ironically for Mr.. Smiths appro.
val Of the marriage was hardly warm
enough to suit my fancy.
Oh, certainly ! Why not - he
replied.
felt little fretted at my husbands
mode Of speaking but made no further
remark on the subject. lie is never
very enthusiastic, nor sangulne aud
did not mean, in this instance, TO doubt
the fitness Of the parties for happiness in
the marriage state, as half imagined
For myself, | warmly approved my
friends choice, and called her husband
a lucky man 10 secure for his companion
through life, woman so admirably fit
ted 10 make one like him happy. But
visit which l paid to Cora, one day,
about six weeks after the honey moon
had expired, lessened my enthusiasm on
the subject, and awoke some unpleas-
aui doubts. 1t happened that | called
soon after breakfast. Cora met me in
The parlor, looking Ike n very fright -
She wore a soIlea and rumpled morning
wrapper her hair was in paper and
she had on dirty stockings, and pair
Of old slippers down at the heels.
"Bless me, Cora :" said |. What
is the matter : Have you been sick" 4
"No. Why do YOU ask Is my
dishabille rather on the extreme 2"
Candidly l think it is, Cora" was
my frank answer.
"Oh, well No natter" she care
lessly replied, "my fortunes made" 4
don't clearly understand you,"
said |.
Pm married, you know"
eyes; am aware Of that fact"
No need Of being so particular in
dress now"
"Why not -
Didn't just say - replied Cora.
" My fortunes made. Iye got a hus-
band" h
Beneath an air Of testing, was appar-
ent the real earnestness Of my friend.
You dressed with careful regard
10 taste and neatness in order 10 win Ed
wards love-" said |.
Certainly did"
"And should you not DO the same in
order TO retain it 7"
Why, Mrs Smith (! DO you think
my husbands affection goes no deeper
han my dress | should be very sorry
indeed to think that. He loves me for
nyself'
(" No doubt Of that in the world, Co
"a. But remember that he cannot see
what is in your mind except by what you
10 or say. If he admirers your taste,
or instance, it i, not from any abstract
,pprec iation Of it, but because the taste
naniiests itself IN what you do. And
depend upon it, no will find it very
,ard matter to approve and admire your
correct taste in dress, for instance, when
you appear before him, day after day in
rour present unattractive attire. If you
10 net dress well for your husbands
,yes, why do you dress You are as
,eat when abroad, as you were before
'our marriage" h.
As To that, Mrs. Smith, common de-
ency requires me to dress well when |
20 upon the street, or into company TO
ay nothing OF the pride one naturally
cells in looking we'll"
I" And does not the same common de-
ency and natural pride argue as strong
y in favor Of your dressing we'll at home
nd for the eye of your husband, whose
pproval, and whose admiration must be !,
carer to you than the approval and ad =
1iration OF the whole world ~
But he dosen't want to see me rig :
ed out in silks and satins all the time.
pretty bill my dress maker would have
galnst him in that event. Edward has
,ore sense than that, | ilatter myself" :,
Street or ballroom attire, is one
ring, Cora and becoming home ap- !,
arel another. We look for both in '
,eir place"
Thus argued with the thoughtIess y
Dung wife, but my words made no i'm g
ression. When abroad, sho dressed
iih exquisite taste, and was lovely to
,ok upon but at home she was care. u
,ss and slovenly, and made il almost
npossible for those who saw her 10 rea- "
re that she was the brilliant benuty u
,cy had met IN company but short u