The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-10-31
NJ I S G Il A " e o u
From the Oliue Rranch
EDW ARD SHELDON;
Or, Tae Wayward Wife.
CHAPTER 1.
BY ELIZA s. PRATT.

CHAPTER L.
1t has been my lot, during my past life,
10 be frequently thrown into the society of
the newly married, and to mark, with much
interest, the difference which they exhibit
in their department towards each other,
their style of living, habits of industry or
ease, frugality or evtravagance, and the
consequent effect upon the happiness of
the married couple; andhoweVer much or
often the husband may be at fault, | can
but admit, as far as my observation eX
tends, that the wife is mole frequently the
cause of discomfort and misery at the home
freside, and even of broken fortunes, than
the husband himself, who, however much
he may have strIven 10 keep his bark
afoat, IS nevertheless obliged TO bear upon
his unofending head the whole weight of
evils which their downfall produces. The
want of that cheerful acqulescence in those
habits of industry and frugality which the
carly career of every man Obliged TO make
his own fortune demands from the wife,
has discouraged and crushed many man
of good talents and bright prospects, has
been the ultimate cause of ruined fortunes
and disappointed hopes.
For the better illustration Of the princi-
pie have advocated, l will give my read
ers a story, hoping that lis moral may not
be without beneficial effect upon some
beneath whose eye it may chance to fall.
Edward Sheldon was 4 young mechan-
c of persevering and ambitious turn Of
mind, industrious, intelligent, and highly
respected in his native village. He was
one in whom ambition was an active prin-
ciple, leading him to foreign countries in
-. oc For
at times favored him with success, he was
often overwhelmed with ieverses, and
obliged 10 commence anew in that struggle
for independence upon which his eye was
Set. But nothing daunted, he would "a
gain set himself TO work, and at the age
of 80 he returned to his native village sue
'cessful and prosperous and there establish
ed himself in business.
1t was then that he cast his eyes about
him for a companion, wife, TO share his
solitary hours and render his home inviting
and happy; and fortune SO will it that a
gay girl of seventeen should lead him
captive, and without reasoning upon the
disparity of their ages, and The consequent
inCongruity of their sentiments-ior love
never reasons-he led her to the hymenial
altar, and their desInies became insepara-
BILE forever.
For time things went on smoothly,
for tolerable lucrative business enabled
him to indulge In fancies, and humor the
caprices of his young wife, who seemed
10 look upon life as but holiday, and the
breathing OF her wants as but the medium
of their fulhllment. Nothing was denied
her, public amusements were made
source of frequent resort, and Edward la
bored hard TO supply the folly and extrav
agance of his wife, who, i'll dress, strove
10 rival the wife or daughter of million
aire. But II could not last long; and be-
fore twelve months had gone by, he found
10 his surprise, that his expenses had far
exceeded his income, and TO add to his
perplexity the birth of a little daughter
promised greatly to enhance them for the
future.
How to remedy the evil he knew not,
for the most remote hint to his wife upon
the subject was met with sullen discomfort
or open rebuke; and instead OF limiting
her expenses within reasonable bounds
they seemed rather to increase with each
day, and every morning and evening poor
Edward was obliged to crafty some new
demand, or bear the unkind retort and lii
humor of his spoiled wife. He strove
have racked his very sinews TO save the |
annoyance and trouble which the gentlest
refusal was sure to bring him; but as
month after month went away, notwilh- |
standing all his effoits, he found himself !
daily sinking in debt, his property mort
gagged, and ruin staring him in the face.
Racked with anxiety, he knew not which |
way TO turn, and scarcely two years had |
elapsed since his marriage. ere Edward |
Sheldon felt himself doomed man.
One bright morning in January, after |
hasty breakfast, Edward kissed his little |
girl, beautiful child of something more
than year old, whose sweet smile and |
innocent prattle was his chief source of
comfort. and taking his hat and cane pre-
pared to 90 out to his usual task. There !
was look of anxiety on his brow and
slight compression of the lip as he cast a
hasty glarce at his wife, who appeared to
have arrayed ,eerself for promenade, and
now stood before glass smoothing her