The Davenport gazette., 1851-07-17

repeated them, aud more violently Than be
fore. My wife bore this with patience, bv,
her indulgence chafed me, and sometimes
uttered taunts which no human being coud
EsnfIer in silence. Then came reply. nne
when this reply did comc--such scenes a.
occurred! would work myself into an
insane passion, and utter words which il
my cooler moments / sliuddered at, aud
which invariably drove her, weeping, from
tho room. And yet, soon after, would she
come 10 me and beg to be forgiven for the
very words which had forced her to utter
The demon within me rejoiced TO see her
pride thus humbled before mine, for never
no matter how much in fault, did seek n
reconciliation. My,temper became more
and more violent, and at length, in one OF
our usual quarrels, | proposed separation
Had serpent siung her she would not
have gazed Oh it as she did on me. New
Ter shall ! forget her look, so deathly pale,
as she came near me and placed her hand
on my arm.
Horace said she do you suppose Iconld
survive such an act? Do you think ]
would cast stain upon my young sisters?
Do you think would send my gray haired
parents sorrowing. to the grave? Would
see another woman your bride? Would
bear the worlds sneering pity? Never!
never!-l will die first. Prosecute me,
torture me, inAicl every refinement of cruel,
y on me, even strike me, if you will; but
never will consent TO such n proceeding
never shall the world call me other than
vonr wife so long as we both shall live
You came to me when was Young and
happy; you took me from home where |
had never known sorrow; YOU haye blighted
the hopes Of my young life, and now, now
you seek 10 casfme away like toy Of which
you have wearied.'
Irecoiled at myself; but remained un7
changed. 5. ~
We had been married four years, and
Emily had greatly changed in tha, time
The gay, light.hcarted girl had become the
calm, dignified woman. The world looked
upon Us as examples Of matrimonial happi-
ness, for we were both too proud to betray
the truth. OF late Emly's manner had
changed; she ceased to reply to my fits Of
passion; neither did she now come and
seek to effect reconciliation with. me-
An icy calm reigned between US. This
existed Tor some time; hut, while wished
il broken, my pride prevented me from max
ing The first advances. Fain would lbaye
bad il dispeiied n by any means which
would no, humiliAte me; for, with all my
! really loved my wife, regret
led the violence Of my temper, and lament
ed my want Of self-control But now
what should do? Ny pride forbade any
advances from my side, and feared that
none would come from hers. saw al
length that her pride was aroused, and !
dreaded that she would obey its dictates,
even though il broke her hcnrt, for ]
knew she still loved me. Day by day her
cheek grewap apaler-her form thinner, and !
saw she suffered; but my iiendish pride
would not give way. Sometimes, when !
had almost conquered myself, when ! had
determined to effect reconciliation, when
next we met a cold bow from ber, with her
stately manner, again awoke the demon
within me, md my good resolutions were
broken. Thus matters stood when, one
day. | entered thereon where she was sit
ting, and excited BY wine, which, lately,
was frequently the case, commenced up
braidngher about some trife. Sheanswer-
ed not, but continued her work-a piece ol
delicate embroidery Enraged at her ST.
ience, Isnatched il from her hands, threw
it on the carpet, and placed my foot on il.
The blood rushed TO her pale cheek--her
eyes flashed with their former fire, as she
sprung 10 her feet, and bade me restore il 10
her
%, icicle,' replied, 'are you melted Al
last? Give il to you! no, indeed: | will
teach you more respect for your husband
than you have lately shown. See,' con
,inued, as picked il up and toreit to irag
men,s, Sec! this is the frippery which
you think more worthy your attention than
your husband'' :
sAny thing is more worthy Of it than
my husband at this moment she replied.
Say you SO; say you 50, madam ex
claimed, grasping her By the arm, aud hiss
ing the words through my teeth; 'ihen what
say you to a separation? You need moi
refuse, | will have one; | win live no long
er with such a wife. Do you consent?
answer meg continued, shaking herb the
arm.
sAs you please she replied; nothing
can be worse than This
! You consent al last then, do you? Wei,
this very day ] will commence proceed
ings.' III ..ys.
when you please she replied and she
left tho room.
stood aghast at what Ihad done; J had
proposed separation, and she had consent
ed. had said that on that very day J
would commence arrangements for the purs
pose, aud could break my word? Could
90 10 her and beg her not 10 leave me,
and that, when ], MYSELF had proposed
such step? My pride again forbade me,
and obeyed its dictates; but there still re.
manned secret hope within me, that on
cool reflection, she herself would refuse.
determined to consult lawyer in whose
secrcsy could confide, and make such ar.
rangemcnts as were absolutely necessary,
did so, and patiently awaited the result.
My wife did not appear again during that