The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-08-18
For the National Era.
THE DISAPPOINTED WIFE,
BY LIZZIE LINN.
ICoNCLUDED.l
-" ~. TIT


He lacks not gall to make oppre sion bitter.
Alice had lived with Mrs Sneeks for many
years, but at length she married. greatly to
the sorrow of the mistress.
"You must go to day, Mr. Sneeks," said
the latter, "apd get another girl. can do
without no longer. never worked half as
hard in my life as have the last week
But week after week, and month after month
passed, and yet no help was obtained. She
could not 90 herself, she had no horse to go
with, and Mr.. Sneeks soouid not 60 Whether
he was governed more by avarice, or by ngl-
ness, it'was difficult to tell Mrs. Sneeks work
ed herself down so thin that she seemed nearly
as unsubstantial as shadow. All through
haying and harvesting the house was filled
with laborers and yet she did the work her
self; and sometimes, when ready to drop down
with fatigue, with trembling in every limb,
and . quivering in every nerve, he would come
home aud begin to fret.
"Come! come isn't dinner ready? The
men are all waiting. Icould get dozen din.
ners before this time. Come, boys! come Put
on the pudding, wife"
On one of these occasions, when it was ex-
ceedingly warm, and every fibre of her system
had been taxed to its utmost tension, he began,
very impatiently--
"How long before dinner wiH be ready
lust tell me that"
."very soon," replied the wife; and she
stepped the quicker and her hands flew the
faster Her face was as red as living Goals,
and the porspiration was running from every
pore.
"Did you mend my pants, this morning."
al did not, and had not time"
Time | never saw such a slow, moping
creature as you are Now, want those pants
can get nothing done, unless | do it myself
How on earth you spend your time the Lord
only knows You accomplish the least Of any
person ever saw
" Mr.. Snceks, do all that p
Her utterance was choked abe could say no
more. The big tears chased each other down
her cheeks, but she hardly dared take the time
TO wipe them away. Then, too, another invec-
tive followed which urged her onward:
SCome, don't stop to SWIVEL now
Presently Sneeks returned from the cellar,
where he had been sneaking about to see what
he could find amiss His face portended still
heavier storm.
"Did you know that the beer was out Of the
Darrell" said he, almost grinding his teeth
with rage,
ioupPOoSu ~ Wos hCbIiy Eobc.
:" And yet you have brewed no more. The
men can't drink water, you know that"
"Well, Mr.. Sneeks, how could | brew this
morning."
How could you brew! | guess you will
find out how you could. | am not going to
support you here in idleness, my pretty lady"
This was too much. The poor woman groan-
ed aloud and sunk into a chair. She was over
IL q. L. H. IL al.
and threats. Her heart seemed crushed, and
torn fibre from fibre. She was wholly exhaust
ed her strength was all spent She could not
rise /; she could scarcely move She closed her
eyes, and clasped her hands in agony, saying
"Oh, God, let me die! Let me hide away in
the grave from this terrible cruelty"
Sneeks gave malignant leer, with an ex-
pressise ugh
His wretched companion at length found
herself on the bed. How she got there she
knew not-she had been bewildered Instead
Of the bland and polite gentleman she had
married, che awoke to the consciousness that
she was mated to selfish, inhuman wretch
1t heart as vulgar and profane as q Southern
soul.driver. Her affections, all fresh and Wig
orous had reached out and entwined them
selves with great tenacity oil around--around
WHAT monster vile being who, like the
venomous serpent, had poisoned her whole ex-
istence. The earthly future looked as dark as
night She shrank from it; she longed TO die.
She saw no refuge now but the grave. Her
situation was aggravated by the loss OF her
friends Some had moved TO the far, far West,
others had been swept of by cholera, 80 that
Of her fathers family not one remained near
her-not one TO whom she could unburden her
heart--not one to give counsel or help.
Mrs. Socks was 10 exhausted, that she fell
asleep. Then came pleasant dreams Of her
dear old home Of those fond brothers and the
sainted mother, whose prayers appeared TO her
as holy as q seraph's song. More pleasing
still was the presence Of her former companion.
Charles Eldridge was with her His arm
seemed to support her He bathed her brow,
and leaning lovingly over her, said" Mary,
my poor Mary!V
"Come come you going to sleep all dayW
bawled out Snecks as he opened her door.
/" Your kitchen is in a pretty fix
Unfortunate being She was in Paradise
moment sinoe, but in Psndemonium now. Her
Kitchen ,00s in deplorsbl, condition. The
men had taken up their dinner, and eaten i,
and then left the house, with the doors wide
open consequently, tho hens and chickens had
toasted upon the remnants. They had scratch
ed the pudding -dish Cd the table and an sbun-
dance Of bread and meat had been dropped
upon the welI-scrubbed floor, for the still I'M
fiedged brood. The cat had upset the cream
iug and ia contents had nowed In n cODiOus