The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1852-02-18
The Palsied Heart.
nj THE AUTHOR OF "LoslNG AND WINNING.

Dr THE AUTHOR OF LOSING AND WINNING.
MY heart beat not, it felt for them.'
Montgomery
Why so melancholy, my dear Su-
san ? " said Mr.. Atwood, as he drew a
chair, and seated himself by his wife
Surely it is not an affection To have a
daughter well marrled-especially whei,
the house Of her husband is not half a
nile from that Of the parents
Yet you will acknowledge, George y
replied Mrs. Atwood, that let daugh
ter's prospects he ever so natiering, there
is much to touch mothers heart when
she resigns her child to anoiher. II is
IN degree, severing one Of nature,
strongest ties, and it could not be done
without pang, even were we able tr
loresee that her happiness aud cumfor
would not be diminished. But on lhi.
point there is always fearful doubt
The event only can prove, whether el
no, man will make good husband
aud even should he do so, in the com.
mon acceptalIon of the term, there i.
still a doubt whether he or his wife are
so matched as TO make each other hap.
py."
"Well, my dear" said Mr.. Atwood
for my own part, feel no misgivngs
relative 10 Heleu's happiness, aud am
very sorry you are inclined To anticipate
trouble. In Mr.. Howard have perfect
confidence. HIS character is unblem-
ished, and his principles such as every
one must respect and approve. ! do moi
suppose he is perfect, neither is Helen !;
but think they truly love each other,
and this will enable them to overlook
and excuse each Others defects"
doubt not the rectliude or firmness
of his principles" said Mrs. Atwood ;
" but must confess have some fears that
his temper may not be suited to Helen's.
Some trihing circumstances have led me
to apprehend, that he may be self-wlled
and obstinate"
Firm, you mean, my DEAR" said
Mr.. Atwood" and hope he will be
So 1t will do much to improve Helen ,
for you know that want of firmness is
one of the defects of her character"
Aud besides" said Mrs. Atwood, /
have ever thought linn too erdUe 70. a
man Of hve.and-twcn,y. Volatility, l
should as much dislike, as you would ;
but Mr.. Howard would please me better,
had he little more buoyancy and cheers
fulness. fear he will be stern"
Here, too" said Mr.. Atwood, 81
have thought that kind Providence Sc,
lectcd the very man for our daughter !
His seda,eness will temper her vivaciiy
aud her, sometimes, too ,hough,ess
gaye,y."
81 am sorry you see so many faults in
Helen," replied Mrs. Atwood.
"And is marriage like DEATH" Said
Mr.. Atwood" that you irrge! them all
as soon as she is separated from you Z
Have we not always seen these defects ?
aud labored TO correct them? know
her good qualities too. She is affection
ate, kind, gentle. and forgiving and al
ways willing to confess fault, though
somewhat too apt to repeat il. know,
too, that she has deep feeling, hid un>
der somewhat careless exterior aud
that her temper was cast in natures
finest mould. All this know, and much
more; and doubt not that Mr.. Howard
will see these things as clearly, aud ap.
preciate them as highly, as do. So
cheer up, my Susan, and instead of
spending this weaving time from your
child, in sombre forebodngs be grateful
to a kind Providence for giving her such
a husband, and trust her confdingly 10
his care"
While the mothers heart was thus
anxious concerning the future happiness
of her daughter, Mr.. Howard aud his
youthful bride were as happy as the
dearest friend could wish them They
had been married but week or two
vet even in so short time, appearances
indicated that Mr. Aiwood's prediction
was likely 10 be verified. Helen had
never been half as happy in her life be.
ore,-and never before was she half so
sedale. She learned by experience that
the happiness of the heart is neither
noisy nor mrlhful that il induces se>
ri'usness rather than gayety. Her hus-
band was perfect in her eyes. True, he
was rather grave for so young man.
and he smiled but seldom but when he
did smile. it was like the breaking forth
Of a sun-beam-imparling light aud
gladness. But grave or otherwise, he
was all that she wished him to be. Her
respect for him equalled her love; both
were entire. lie treated her with dig
nihed tenderness, that left her nolhing to
ask.
But time knows no indulgence. not