Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-08-22
GbniEf Iiteraturr.
A CHAPTER FOR HUSBANDS.
THE INVALID WIFE.

"A CnAGlEh fOh dUDbANDc.
THE INVALID WIFE.
- by T. s. ARTHuR.
Ny poor head it seems as if il would
burst, murmured Mrs. Balm, as she arose
rom a STOPPING position, and clasped her
temples With both hands She was engag-
ed n dressing restless fretfnl child, some
two or three years old. Two children had
been washed and dressed, and this was the
last to be made ready for breakfast -.
As Mrs. Balm stood, with pale face closed
eyes, and tightly compressed lips, stillclasp-
ing her throbbing temples, the bell annonn-
cling the morning mead was rung. The
sound caused her to start, and she said, in a
low and fretful voice
- There's the break tsst bell, and Charley
isn'tr ready yet ;Si1or have / combed ny hair.
How my head does ache lam almost blind
with the pain"
Then she resumed her work Of dressing
Charley, who struggled, cried, and resisted,
until she was done.
Mr. Bain was already up and dressed
He was seated in the parlor, enjoying his
morning paper, when the breakfast bell rung.
The moment he heard the sound, he threw
down his newspaper, and leaving the parlor,
be ascended 10 the dining room. His two
eldest children were there, ready to take
their place at the table.
Where is your mother r he inquired of
bne Of them.
She is dressing Charley" was answered.
;s Never ready IN time,o said Mr. Balm to
himself impatiently. He spoke lin an under
tone. ~ fa
For few moments he stood with hishands
on the back Of bis chair. Then he walked
twice the length Of the dining room; and then
he went to the door and called
Jane janet breakfast IS on the table"
- I'll be there in a minute" was replied
bS Ms. Balm.
t0h yesg know something about your
minutes Mr.. Balm said this to himself
This never being in time, annoys me terri
bly,. Pm always ready. Tn always up in
time. But there's no regard for time in this
house,
Mrs. Balm was still struggling with her
cross and troublesome child, when the voice
Of her impatient husband hushed her The
sound caused throb Of iutefiser pain to pass
through her aching head.
SJane make hastel breakfast is all getting
cold, and I'm in hurry to 60 away to busi-
ness was called once more.
Do have little patience. I'll be there
in a moment replied Mrs. Balm.
And Mr.. Balm once more passed back
wards and forwards
Meantime the wife hurriedly completed
her own toilet, and then repaired to the di-
ning room. She was just five minutes too
late.
One glance at her pale, suffering face,
should have changed to sympathy and pity
the ilthuinor Of her thohghtIess, impatient
husband. But, it was not so. The moment
she appeared, he said
This is too bad, Jane ! I've told you over
and over, that / don't like to wait after the
bell rings. My mother was always promptly
at her place, and I'd like my wife to iInmi-
tate 50 good an examples
Perhaps nothing could have hurt Mrs. Balm
more than such cruel reference Of her hus-
band 10 his mother, coupled with 50 unfee-
hing declaration Of his will concerning her
--as if she were TO be the mere creature Of
his will.
A sharp reply was ON the tongue of Mrs
Balm; but she kept It back. The PAIN IN hel
head, subSided all at once but a weight and
oppression in her breast followed that was al
most suHocating.
Mr., Balm drank his coffee, and eat his steak
and toast, with pretty flir relish for he
had a good appetite and good digestion
and was IN state of robust health. But
Mrs. BAN ate nothing. How could she eat
And yet, it is but the truth to say, that hel
husband, who noticed the fact, attributed hel
not taking food more to temper than want o.
appetite. He was aware that he had spoken
too freely, and attributed the consequent
change in his Bife's manner to anger rath
er than wounded spirit
10 You want anything asked Mr. Balm
on rising from the table, and turning to leave
the room, He spoke with more kindnes.
than previously.
NO" was tbs brief answer. made without
htslng her eyes to her husbands face.
Z In the suIks n
Mr. Balm did not say this aloud. but such
was his thought as he turned awav and Ief
the house, He did not feel altogether com
Portable, Of course. No man feels con,sart
able while there is cloud upon the brow !
his wife, whether it be occasiouesl Iv naey;;sh
ness, II temper, bodily or mental siIfFeripe,
No, Mr.. Balm did not feel altogether comforf