The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1852-05-06
The Dying wife.
BY "IK. MARVEL -

The wife over whom your love broods, is |
fading. Not beauty fading; that, now that
your heart is wrapped up in her being, would
be nothing.
She sees with quick eye your dawning ap-
prehension, and she tries hard to make that
step of hers elastic.
Your trials and your loves together have
centered your affections. They are not now
as when you were lone man, widespread
and superficial. They have caught from do
mestic attachments finer tone and touch.
They cannot shoot out tendrils into barren
world soil and suck up thence strengthen
ing nutriment. They have grown under
the forcing glass of the home roof, they will
not bear exposure.
You do not now look men in the face as if
heart bond was linking you-as if COM
munity of feeling lay between. There is a
heart bond that absorbs all other; there is a
community that monopolzes your feeling
When the heart lay wide open, before it had
grown upon and closed around particular OBJ
jects, it could take strength and cheer from
hundred connections that now seem colder
than ice.
And now those particular objects-alas
for you ARE fading.
What anxiety pursues you How you
struggle to fancy there is no danger!
How it CRATES now on your ear-the toll
and the turmoil of the city 1t was music
when you were alone it was pleasant even
when from the din you were celebrating
comforts for the cherished objects when
you had such sweet escape when evening
drew near. ....
nnad fn
less while you are stepped in care. They
hustle you in the. street they smile at you
across the table; they bow carelessly over
the way they do not know what canker is
at your heart.
The undertaken comes with his bill for
the dead boys funeral. He knows your
grief; he is respectful You bless him in
your soul. You wish the laughing street 60
ers were all undertakers.
Your eye follows the phys as he leaves
your house; is he wise, you ask yourself;
is he prudent! is he the best! Did he ever
fail! Is he never forgetful!
You are early home-mid afternoon.-
Your step is not light; it is heavy, terrible.
They have sent for you; her eyes half
closed; her breathing long and interrupted.
She hears you; her eyes are open; you
put your hand in hers; yours trembe-
hers does not. Her lips move; it is your
name.
"Be strong" she says, "God will help
you"
She presses harder your hand. "Adieur'
A long breath-another; you are alone a.
gain. No tears now; poor man you can
not find them!
Again home early. There is a smell of
varnish in your house. A coffin is there;
they have clothed the body in decent grave
clothes, and the undertaken is screwing
down the lid, slipping round on tiptoe Does
he fear to waken her!
He asks you a single question about the
inscription upon the plate, rubbing it with
his coat cuff. You look him straight in the
eye; you motion to the door; you dare not
speak.
He takes up his hat and glides out stealth
lily like cat.
The man has done his work well for all
that. 1t is nice coffin-a very nice coffin!
Pass your hand over it-how smooth!
Some sprigs of mignionette are lying
carelessly in little gilt-edged saucer. She
loved mignionette.
IL 10 BoOu sIduHCH IdDle Ille COllln TeSIS
ONT is your table; you are a housekeeper,
a man of family!
Ay, of family-keep down outcry, or the
nurse will be in. Look over at the pinched
features; it is all that is left of her And
,, where is your heart now! No, don't thrust
> your hands, nor mangle your lips, nor CRATE
! your teeth together. If you could only weep
Another day. The coffin is gone out
; The stupid mourners have wept-what idl,
tears! She, with your cherished heart, ha.
!, gone!
Will you have pleasant evenings at you
home now!
Go into your parlor that your prim-house
keeper has made comfortable with clear
> hearth and blazing sticks.
: Sit down in your chair; there is another
velvet cushioned one over against yours
? empty. You press your fingers on your eye
l balls, as if you would press out something
that hurt the brain; but you cannot You
head leans upon your hand; your eyes res
upon the flashing blaze. ....
Ashes always come after blaze.
Y Go now into your room where she wa
sick-softly, lest the prim house-keepe
come after.
They have put new dimity upon her chair
! they have hung new curtains upon the bed
! They have removed from the stand its phi
{ ais and silver bell; the perfume will not OF
? ? fend the sick sense now. They have half
! opened the window, that the room, so lon.
= ! closed, may have air. 1t will not be to-
II cold She is not there