Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-08-26

thing for her own support, ii you would per-
NIT her; and it would be better for her and
for you. Remember the true saying
Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to dor
What do you mean !? demanded Hamil-
ton, reddening
mean that, generally speakiag, Young
wives, Of ardent temperament, when left to
themselves, with nothing but their pleasure
to occupy their minds, are apt to forget their
husbands, and iud enjoyment in such society
as he might not altogether approve
Sir, you do not know my wife, exclaimed
Hamilton. She, thank Heaven, is net one
of those
4 hope not, was the quiet reply
! Although Hamilton Burgess had not a jeal-
GUS nature, and would never have entertain
ed unjust suspicious Of bis wife, these words
of his friend set him to thinking He remem-
bered that Lizzie was always happy, however
be might be oppressed with cares: and now
be wondered how it was that she could be so
unmindful Of everything except pleasure,
while he was SO constantly harrassed. The
consistent Mr. Hamilton Burgess undoubt-
edly forgot that he had taken the utmost
pains to conceal his circumstances from his
wife.
| 1t was in this state of mind, that Mr. Bur-
CESS one day left his business and went home
unexpectedly 1t was at an hour when Liz
zie least thought of seeing him, aud on this
occasion she appeared considerabl embarras-
sed; nor did Mr. Burgess fail to observe that
she was very tardy in making her appearance
in the sitting room.
On another occasion Mr. Burgess returned
home under similar circumstances, and going
directly to his wife's room, found to his aston
tisbment, that he could not gain admittance
After some delay, however, during which
Hamilton heard footsteps hurrying to and fro
within, and whispering, Mrs. Burgess opened
the door, and blushing very red, attempted to
apologize for not admitting him before
Who was with you?' demanded Hamil-
ton.
| with me !? cried Lizzie. much confused
| Yes, madam. | heard whispering, and
am sure that somebody just passed through
that side door,
oh that was nobody but Margaret ex-
claimed Mrs. Burgess, hastily.
Hamilton could i'll conceal his yexation,
but he did not intimate to his wife that he
suspected her of equiyocation, nor did she see
fit to attempt full exposition of the matter.
Nothing was said of this incident after
wards /: but for many weeks it occupied Ham
iton's mind All this time he was harrassed
with cares of business, and his brow became
more darkly shrouded in gloom, as his per-
plexities thickened At last the crisis came!
Mr.. Burgess saw the utter impossibility of
longer continuing his almost proftless trade,
under heavy expenses, which not only absor-
bed his small capital but actually plunged
him in debt But one honest course was left
for him to pursue and he resolved to close
up his affairs, and sell off what stock he had
to pay his debts.
It was at this time ttat Mr.. Burgess saw
in its true light the error Of which he had
been guilty, in opposing bis wife's desire to
economic, and devote a portion Of her time
to useful occupation.
Had | allowed her TO tighten our oxpen~
ses in this way thought he, 4 might not
have been driven to such extremities, And
what has been the result Of my folly? Why.
have kept her ignorant of our poverty until
the very last, and now the sudden Intelligence
that we are boggars, viii wcllnigh kin her z
Satisfied of the danger, if not the impossi-
bility. of keeping the secret longer from his
wife, Mr.. Burgess went home one day resol-
we'd to break the intelligence to her without
hesitation Entering the house with his
latch-key, he went directly to Lizzies room,
which be entered unceremoniously. To his
surprise, he found on the table gentleman s
cap, OF that peculiar fashion which nc had
seen worn by sportsmen and handles about
town. Anxious for an explanation he lock.
| nH fop vt5sg. La I
in the room Then hearing voices in another
part Of the house, he left the room by diff
Eereut door from that by which he had en-
tered, and fastened to the parlor where he
expected to find Mrs. Burgess in company
, with the owner Of that cap. To bis surprise
he found the parlor vacant, and meeting Mar
garet IN the parlor hall moment after, he
impatiently demanded his wife
she is in the room, sir said the domes-
ito
, Without saying word, Hamilton again
FASTENED to Liszie's room, whore be found her
reading late magazine with affected indif-
ference
. Madam cried he angrily what does this
mean? Here | have been chasing you all
over the house without being able to catch
you What company have you just dismis
sed {?
What company asked Lizzie.
Yes, madam, what companyY
DO not speak SO angriy dear Army
Why are you so inpatient
! Because | want to know what gentleman
has been fayoring you with such confden-
tial visit 7
Hamilton remembered other occasions
when, on his coming home unexpectedly, his
wife had shown signs of embarrassment and
added to this her present equivocation rem
: dered him violently jealous. She appeared
to shrink from him in fear and became al
r tcrnately red and pale. as she answered.
There has been no gentlemen here to sec
f met
No one?
No one, dear Ammyv
3 Mr.. Burgess was on the point of demand
ing to know who was the owner Of the car
which hn had soon on his vife'q tnhla anS