The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-06-08
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The Diving Wife.

LA ,. The Dying Wife. f.ag..-,z
That wife over whom your love
broods is fading; that, now that iyour
heart is wrapt up in her being, would
be nothing. I.'G a1's'lf95I g ss..'i
She sees with quick eye your daw.
ming apprehensions, and she, tries
hard to make that step Of hers elias:
tic. n,
Your trials and your loves togeth-
er have centered your affections.
They are not now as when you we're
a lone man, white spread and super
fetal. They have caught from do
nestle attachments a finer tone and
touch. They cannot shoot out ten
drills into barren world soil, and suck
up thence strengthening nutriment.
They have grown under; the forcing
glass of the home roof; they will
not now bear exposure. y atolt
You do not now look men in the
face as if heart bond was linking you,
as if a community of feeling lay be.
tween. There is heart bond that
absorbs all others; there is q commu.
nifty that monopolizes your feeling.
When the heart lay wide open, be.
fore it had grown upon and closed
around particular objects, it could
tuke strength and cheer from hun
dred connections that now seem cold.
er than ice.
And now those particular objects,
alas for you arc failing. aij..'l"
What anxiety pursuca you. How
you struggle to fancy there is no dan,
ger! s '.',l'' .sg l3i, ,i.', ..a. -
& How It CRATES now on your ear
che toll and turmoil of the city! 1t
5was5music when you were alone; it
was pleasant evcn'when from the din
;sau we're celebrating comforts for the
cherished objects when you had
such sweet escape when evening
'dres near, ~ ~, % 9".''.a.
How4is maddcns you 70 see the
world careless 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. la>t .etzp ,sAl
The undertaken comes with his bill
for they dead boys funeral. FIe
knows your grief; he is respectful.
You bless him in your soul.
You wish the laughing street
goers were all undertakers. ,,a,
Your eye follows the physician as
he leaves yonr house is he wise ?
you ask youself is he prudent ? is
he the best? Did he ever fail Is
he never forgetful ~ #
You are early home mid after.
noon. Ionr step is not light; it is
heavy, terrible.
They have sent for you.
She is lying down, her eyes half
closed her breathing long and inter
rupted. 51s'-
She hears you ; her eyes are open;
you put your hand in hers; yours
trembles hers does not. Her lips
move it is your name.
" Be stroug," she says, Z" God
will help you. She presses harder
you hand" Adicu !"
A long breath--another you are
alone again.
No tears now; poor man you can.
not find theuls 'a' ".HH,
Again home early. There is a
smell of varnsh in your house. A
coffin is there they have clothed the
body in decent grave clothes, aud
the undertaken is screwing down the,
lid, slipping round on tiptoe. Does
he fear to waken her?
Flc asks you q single question
about tie 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.
lie takes up his hat and glides out
stealthily like a cat. a,F.l3i
The man has done his work we'll
for all that. 1t is a nice cofin--a
very nice coffin. Pass your hand
over it how smooth! 9t'
Some sprigs of mignionette are
lying carelessly in little gilt edged
saucer. She loved mignionette.
It's good staunch table the cof.
fin reats Ont is your table; you
are housckoeper-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. sMi ~ '@
Another day. The coffin is gone
ont Tho atnp;d y,,o,,,,,o 10 :. .