Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-07-06


but could bear IL better lr lie would cume
directly home after he closes the shop, and
spend his evenings with me as he used 10
do before we were married. and again the
tears began to flow.
desired to speak 10 her Of the change
10 herself, and Of her peculiarly unaiirac-
tive home but her bosom was already SO
laden with grief. aud her education render.
ed il so impossible for her to view things
nationally, that RETAINED from aluding TO
her faults, and only encouraged her TO per-
severe in the determination TO overcome ev-
cry difficulty aud often expressed hope,
which must confess was very dim in my
own heart, that she would eventually be-
come thorough housewife, and happy
woman.
Sorrowful as was the task, never allow.
ed week to pass without going over 10 adj
wise with and assist her. But matters grew
worse rather than better; and when i'll
health destroyed the little energy which ma
ture had given her, and a sickiy, fretiul in
FAINT was added 10 her other cares, the pros
pect grew darker than ever, and in my
heart ! bitterly deplored the folly OF rear
ing so useless being, aud the still greater
folly Of rushing bIindIy into the married
state.
Matildas young friends had deserted her;
she steadily refused all society; and day
after day was spent in frui,ess weeping and
lsmenting over What she considered her sin
gHtdrfy wretched fate.
Meanwhile, Richard studiously avoided
me and whether he was at The time aware
Of my frequent visits TO his wife during his
hours OF absence, know not; but one
scene that i witnessed resolved me to zee
and expostula,e with him at once. He
came in obedience TO my summons.
Richard said ], sternly, Il was st your
house this afternoon, what do you think
saw therer
Can't tell,' he replied, indifIerenIly, 'er-
eryihing oui Of place suppose. as usual.
though
That is Of no consequence now con-
tinued l. Il found pour Matilda lying
senseless on the floor, and little Ellen cling
ing 10 her, and sobbing as though her ten-
der heart would break. II is a wonder the
child was not killed, or at least injured in
the fall, for il was in her arms when she
tainted When she was able to speak, her
first words were,-"Why did you not let
|
something wofully wrong on your part, to
make a young creature like her wish TO
leave her frs,-born for ever, aud lie among
the forgotten dead. Tell me honestly all
about IT,
Ii was a sore subject, but saw that he
was resolved 10 brave il out. by his reply
r. It'd sss'y, 4s."s, .-,.iSs. sissr 1.
forever dinging in my ears.-thai she never
used TO work, and don't see ichy she should
now. This noon she talked aud cried. till
got up from the table, and came away
without speaking word; she followed
me to the door, begging me 10 come back
but was firm, npd finally shut the door in
her face
And this. persisted |. is the wife. in
whom, less than two years since, you had
:. nat been able 10 discern The 'shado,c Of a
fanh. the wife whose wishes you were
to anticipate and grafify! Is it no,
enough that you took her blindly from hei
tender home, and forced upon her cares o
which, light and trivial as they might seen
10 many. sho had no adequate conception
Is this not enough. without adding rude
ness, GOODNESS, and bitterness z
But pursued he, she ough, TO know
how to keep house,-thai's the business
Of wife. | might aswell grumble AM
Ere, because l have to stand behind m,
/, counter all day"
Richard. urged once more, though al
5 most hopelessly, just reflect upon the dill
I, ference. From your boyhood you hav'
been trained 10 the business Of your store
. you meet great variety Of persons, ant
!. the tedousness OF your labor is relieve,
r by many pleasant word, or bit Of exciting
S news AT eight o'clock. you close you
i shop, and dismiss all cares for the day.
!. On the contrary. Matilda was thrown a
once and rithonf preparation into a spher
s TO which she could not accommodate herse
day after day passed in seclusion, ami
tolls magnihed a thousand times by he
!. morbid Imagination and incapacity,-th
i friends OF her girlhood have ceased TO yis
Il her, because they find their presence IN
n welcome TO one who feels herself cAaiae
n 10 monoionous household drudgery, she
!. seldom cheered by kind word, or a smil,
}. and 10 toll ON and on seems her only fat,
d ing Of her happiness is still in your hand
|, --cease trifling with il, and, if need be. T,
n call those professions Of love once so warn
ly made and sincerely believed
o But wha, can | dor he demande,
somewhat sofiened.
., Dor replied, almost indignant,
il /, Doesn't your common sense teach you thi
Ia some occasional assistance from you,-
II words, looks and acts Of sympaihy.-no
At / and then an invitation TO ride or walk vii
ri you, would accomplish much towards re
II X loring your domestic harmonyf tell yol
N plainly, that man who doesn't know ihi
as and practice il too, has no business with
" wife + a
d Il sometimes wish had none, said h
h leaning his head heavily upon his hand.
at That is selfshness, Richard-pure sci
lyl ishness,' continued |. If Death shou
az take her from you. all these petty tria
e would soon be forgotten, and you wou
" only remember her as she was when yc
n. won her Rrsl love- s.N
n He sat here more than an hour wilho
lie speaking, and would not interrupt Il
curen, Of his thoughts; at length he o
ed served,
We i know have been TO blame, aunt
nj sae II nnvv and went auicLIv homa