The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1850-03-20
From the Christian Register.
The Mechanics Wife.
BY MARY LEMAN GILLIEs.

IL
..Shall YOU be very late Tonight This
question was asked in soft low voice by
very pale, but very sweet young lcrea-
ture, as she parted from her husband in
the street. -.se--i
"I do not know that shall, ~ he replied,
somewhat coldly, as replacing his cigar
between his lips, he turned away. There
was carelessness rather than unkindness
in his manner. and she looked after him,
more in sorrow than reproach. Taking
the hand of her little boy, she slowly bent
her steps homcward, with that dropping of
the head which bespcaks sadness Of heart.
: It was Saturday night; she had been
marketing. and her little purchases were
contained in basket which hung upon
her arm. On reaching home, the very ups
permost floor of house in poor but de-
cent neighborhood, she reused the fire,
seated Philip, her little son. beside il, gave
him piece Of bread and butter for his sup
per, and began to busy herself in putting
away the few necessares she had bought
By the time this was done, the dropping
head of little Philip told her he was ready
for his pillow How tenderly he was ta-
ken 10 his lonely mothers lap-his pretty
face washed--his bright hair brushed, and
arrayed in his snowy bed-gown. Press
ed to her bosom. she warmed his little feet,
her fond hand returning to them again and
again from the fire, to which she every
now and then held her open palm, then
pressing the soft foot, she kissed it playful
iy, and provoked the laughter so sweet
to her mothers ear. These were Philips
first charming lessons; thus were gentle
ness and love awakened in his infant spir-
it by his capable, but uninstrncted, unas-
sisted mother, How full OF meaning was
his smile-how full of animation! and when
kneeling in her lap, she Joined his little
hands, and .bade him ask his. Heavenly
Father to bless his earthly parent, how
sympathetically he caught the sweetly Sc
rious look-the calm and holy tone Of his
i instructress.
When his little prayer was said, he flung
his arms about her neck, and cheek to
cheek they murmured together the lullng
song which concluded this little drama; for
his eyes slowly closed. and the smile soft.
ly passed from his face, and then he was
gently consigned to his snug and snowy
bed.
So far all was sweet; would il might be
said all was calm; but the aching void in
Susan's heart was rot calmness, it was
rather craving for that mental and social
aliment which is necessity of every
breast, and cannot long be healthly deni.
ed to any. The more energetic spirits
seek such associations or stimulants as
chance presents them; the gentler submit
and suffer, often perish, in silence.
Susan put little fuel softly on the fire
trimmed her candle, and sat down with the
jealous lonely woman's usual companion
--4her work basket. A deep sigh stole
from her bosom. Still the ceaseless nee
die was Piled. Now and then she paused
lit was to wipe away the tears that would
gather on her lashes. She was just two
and twenty, and had been four years mar
,ried, ,gduring allwhich time. with brief ex.
ception Of few weeks previous to thei
settlement in town, she had been left nigh
after night in loneliness. Philip Morris
her husband, was an honest industrious
ID man, with hundred good qualities; sober
4 and solicitous Of securing to his family al
I the comforts his means afforded, he brough
his weekly earnings, with very small re
servation for some trifing indulgences TO-
himself to his wife, and, with the utmos
! trust in her management and economy
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