Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-09-25
esire, when once she feels the necessity for

Youth is always sangulne, was the reply
= however, my. dear boy, from my heart
pray that your hopes be fulfilled. regret that
you have chosen wife who will have every
thing to learn after marriage, but the choice is
made, and much will now depend on yourself,
as regards the result. You will find that de-
fciency of knowledge in domestic matters, on
the part of wife, materially affects the COM
fort and happiness of her husband, and if on
feeling this. you become impatient and il-hu-
mored, this will discourage and ALLEVIATE her,
and the almost certain loss of domestic happi-
ness will be the consequence. On the contra
ry, kindness and encouragement on your part,
if she is what you think her, will be a constant
stimulus to exertion, and thus in time all your
expectations may be realized. Fortunately
you have been brought up by an old fashioned
mother, who believed that boys might be made
useful at home, and have learned much that
will be of advantage to you both in a home of
your own. Never forget, my son, that a kind
expression of your wishes, will do far more to
influence the conduct of woman of sense who
loves you, than harshness or rebuke. The
power of gentleness is always irresistible,
when brought TO bear on noble and generous
minds
The lesson thus given, was not forgotten or
disregarded. Soon after his marriage, young
Manly found, that lovely, accomplished, and
intelligent as she was, his wife was wholly
incompetent to the task of managing a house.
hold, and when by the discharge of worth
less servant, they were for the first time left
alone, her perplexites and helplessness would
then have been ridiculous, had not the sub
Ject have been too serious to be thus disposed
of. As it was, he neither lost his spirits
nor his temper, but cheerfully and hopefully
sought, through her affections, to rouse her to
exertion.
Il am certain there is nothing about the
house, you cannot do well as Others he said
10 her as she was lamenting her deficiencies,
il you will only make the attempt, and the
plainest will be far sweeter to me prepared by
my wife, than the most costly delicacies from
any other hand Our united skill will, have
no doubt, prove fair substitute for the help
we have lost, until we can procure more val.
liable assistance
Thus encouraged, the young wife, with
tears and smiles contending on her sunny
face, commenced the work OF practical house.
keeping, and though her mistakes and failures
were innumerable, had made so much pro-
gress before another girl could be found, that
she was deeply interested in her dulles, and
determined to understand them thoroughly
The next lime her kitchen was left vacant,
Ior in our country these things are always
happening) she was in measure indepen-
dent, and it was one of The proudest mo-
men,s of her life, when she placed before
her husband bread of her own baking, which
he pronounced the most delicious he had
ever eaten.
Let not my young readers suppose that
Mrs. Manly sacrificed any part Of her refine
ment by becoming skiIlfu and useful
housewife. She still dearly loved music, and
drawing and literature. and communion with
cultivated minds, and was not less lady in
the paror because she had learned the uses
and importance of the kitchen. But we
will let her speak for herself of the change
wrought in her habits and views, in a
conversation with the mother of her beloved
Robert.
'Wil you not now come to u.s. she said
and take up your abode with US permanent
ly? lfy you knew how much and how long
we have both wished it, | am sure you would
not refuse
'l do know it, my DEAR replied the ven-
erable matron, but have hitherto refused,
because | thought it best for you both, to
learn to depend on your own resources as
early as possible. knew TOO that young
bousekeeper, 10 whom everything is strange
and new, might find it embarrassing to have
an old woman in so near a relation, always
looking on, and noticing defects should any
happen TO exist. have therefore, until now
preferred remaining by myself, but have
not been estranged from you in heart.
have watched with the most intense iuteres,
your whole course thus far, and, my beloved
child, can no longer withhold the need oil
appreciation which is justly your due. Iown
trembled for the happiness of my dear son,
when ! learned that his choice had fallen on
fashionably educated young lady like your
self, but knew not as he did, the sterling
worth of character concealed beneath thai
! glilrering exterior. The God Of his fathers
has indeed been gracious to him, in giving
him q treasure whose price is above rubies
even virtuous woman, in whom his hear
can safely lrust.'
'Oh, my dear molher,' exclaimed the
young wife, while tears choked her utter.
ance, 'yor would not say SO if you knew all
If you knew how entirely owe everything
that now am, and all my present happiness
to the generous forbearance, the delicate
kindness Of my beloved husband. He has
horne with my ignorance and heiplessness
encouraged my first miserable attempts tc
do right and soothed and praised me when
ready to despair Of ever becoming what
ought to be. He has taught me that the true
end and aim Of life - not to seek my owr
enjoyment, but the good Of others. and the
glory of my Father in Heaven. From my