The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-11-25


heart that evening, and her prayer, as she knelt
at the bedside, was full Of JOY and of thanks
giving. Blessed are they who, like her, re-
member in prosperity the Source from which it
flows, and delay not till disappointment and
suffering have taught them the vanity of earth
ly things, to turn their thoughts upon things
heavenly!
should like very well TO linger on the rap
lures of the pair-to describe the manly ten
derness of the lover the bushes of the maiden,
the kindness with which Carolines parents
gave consent and the little speech of which the
good papa delivered himself on the occasion.
But on these things shall not dwell because
all my readers have either gone through the
same scenes, or will yet pass through them
Each need, therefore but draw on memory or
anticipation to understand all that was done
and felt by Caroline and Lndley, during the
four or five months which elapsed between the
private and the public avowal of their affec-
tons. Suffice it to say, that they knew of no
such thing as " lovers quarres,0 and quite re-
pudlated the idea which some have advanced,
that, without these occasional chickering's the
days of cOurtShip would grow monotonous and
tame.
The wedding and its attendant gayeties fair
ly over, the young couple had leisure to ar
range their plan of living, and talk over the
prospect that lay before them. In some re-
spects it was humble enough. Their moderate
income could not supply them with many lux
uries, and their home, though neat and pretty,
was as unpretending as the most romantic
could desire. But they were young they loved
each other they hoped good things from the
| future
Caroline thought herself the happiest crea-
t,,rn l.,
| little housewife if You had seen the exquisite
order in which she kept her small domain, or
| had partaken of the palatable meals that she
prepared you would have decided that her
whole time must DO spent in attending to those
| details. Yet she always had leisure to SIT down
ana chat with Edward when he returned from
the office, and never offended his perceptions of
the graceful and becoming by engaging, when
he was present in the homelier duties Of the
menage. The prudent Lenette did not sweep,
nor scour, nor wash the china, before her
fastidious Sebenkas Would that more of her
sex would follow her example, not in these
| small things alone but in the more important
matters. 1--WE women" are, ~ general thing
well enough before marriage gentle, tender
sweetly condescending, no wonder we delude
our chosen into the belief that we are angels
| Alas we too often drop the veil before the
| honeymoon is over, and the disenchanted lover
sees besides his hearth, not the guardian spirit
| that his fancy painted, but selt-willed wo-
man, who exacts unlimited indulgence for her
| caprices and has a shower of tears and re-
| proaches ready, if he but ventures to oppose
| her. Let me be Just, however the obllgng
assduous sutton az frequently changes into
very Bashaw of loneliness and Incidence. When
! Thomas and Betty Jones were hOusemald and
hired man. at Mr.. Cummings, who ever
saw Betty carry in a pail of water or stick
of wood Now that they are man and wife
she may put on the boiler for the Monday
wash, or mend the fire by which her Thomas
! warns himself without word of remonstrance
from his lips The case Is pretty much the
same high or low in most marriages both
parties meet with disappointment Don't look
incredulous fair maiden; if people would only
be frank, you would find my statement won
drously confirmed. Ask your own father and
mother ask of your personal experience few
years hence when you and Alfred have been
six months united
How then are people ever happy? you may
inquire Simply thus my dear. In the frs
place they are married that is a fixed fact
which no amount of repning or dissatisfaction
can ever alter; such being the case, they see
clearly the wisdom of making the best OF
what cannot be helped" Then they are con-
scious of imperfections in themselves, and grow
to regard more leniently those of their life
partner--thus are born mutual concession and
forbearance Their interests are Identical
moreover, and that bcgets a certain sympathy
love for their children by-and-by cements the
bond People of average good nature need
not fear, then, the "dsillusionsn and the cares
of matrimony with time and patience, all will
be right in the end
Butt you say "this is wofully common
place view of the matter. Is there no truer,
holier union than the one you have described
If | thought So | would never marry Alfred,
dearly as we love each other"
was but speaking of the great mass of mar
riages--such as arc founded, not on esteem
and reverence, but upon accidental fancy
love at first sight" for instance. If you know
| Alfred to be CONSCIENTIOUS kind and upright
and yourself to be worthy Of him, yours will be
a union in the best sense of the word--you will
not have to learn the hard lessons Of endu-
rance. Yet even then fear, the familiar in
tercourso of welded life will reveal to you as
to Caroline and Lindlcy, some unsupported
faults, some unimagned defects of character.
But to leave discussion, and return to our
story.
A year or thereabout had elapsed since their
marriage. when the hearts of the young couple
were gladdened by the birth of n little girl
One would suppose that Caroline had never
beheld an infant before such charms did she
find in its slightest movement, such wondrous
beauty in the smile that played upon its fea-
lures. Lindley, like most young men, had al
ways entertained sovereign contempt for ba-
bios but even he regarded little Grace with
admiration IA well as affection. She was very
pretty, it must be owned, but she was also very
cross no amount of care or caresses could keep
her quiet. Caroline with true motberly char
ity always maintained that she was sick, " or
something hurt her ia child that WAS
well never would cry in that manner" When,
from tho nature Of things it was quite impos
sible to make these excuses, she would observe
that the baby was " 50 sleepy" so hungry"
or :" 40 tired" These young mothers apollo
giving for their cross darlings, display vast
deal Of ingenuity perhaps they are not al
ways such firm believers in the doctrines which
they advocate, but they mean that their boar
crs shall be so at least.
When Grace was ten months old her tenn
per changed from fretful crying little thing,
she became quiet, smiling baby. Her prog
ross through the remainder Of her infancy,
and the earlier portion of her childhood, re-
quires no special notice 1t may be we'll
enough TO state, however, that she learned her
letters at an early age; perhaps she was even
able to read in the Testament when she was
three years old-an attainment highly valued
among mothers. At seven or eight she began
to show great love for books she read poetry
with some appreciation, and took interest in
stories designed for older people. At ten, she
composed poetry Of her own it was at first
flrtively written on her slate at school or on
the blank leaves of a copy. book, and then OK
hibited to iavorite playmate---aftcr that its
fame spread quickly. Mrs Lindley heard of
the matter, and questioned Grace, who trem-