The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-05-11
Romantic.

recollect pretty incident which may
not be uninteresting to the reader. A wild
young fellow married lovely girl, and
having long been addicted to habits of dis.
sipation, even the sincere attachment which
he entertained towards his wife could not
disentangle him from its snares. His oc-
casional irregular hours would have given
any but one so pure and sweet disposi.
ton, reason to expect that she did not hold
that place in his affections which was her
right; but the reflection scarcely ever in
truded on her spirits. The husband was
far from being cruel, and really loved her /;
but his disposition was weak and his COM
panions eloquent, and he seemed to grow
worse rather than better in his habits. II
happened once that he was called out OF
town, and in his haste left behind him a
letter, in which to please an unprincipled
friend, he spoke OF his wife in tones of care.
lessness ifnot in derision, and dilated free
ly upon his general course oflife. lmag-
inc the anxiety and suspense of the start.
led profligate, when he found himself borne
by rapid steambo at upon journey which
must ofnecessity be Of several days dura-
ton, yet remembered distinctly that the ia.
tai letter was exposed and unsealed upon
his wife's table. He recollected, too, with
a pang, that he had wantonly, in answer
to her inquiries, boasted that it contain ed
a profound secret, which he would not
have revealed for the world. He paced
the deck in an agony Of dlsappoinmen,
and shame. He pictured her opening the
letter, turning pale with horror and indig-
nation-perhaps fainting with anguish. a.
farming the servants-fying to her father
and renouncing him forever.
As soon as possible he returned, but with
a.sickenhg heart, he entered his dwelling
bracing himself up to meet the fury of an
enraged and wretcheG woman. He open.
ed the door softly. She was bending ovel
the table busily writing. A placid smile
wreathed her mouth with perfect beauty
and spread over her glowing features the
mild expression Of peace and joy; and
even as she wrote. the fragment of q swee
ballad fell from her lips in low music
that only flows from heart entirely a
rest. The husband stole noiselessly arount
and read, as her pen traced her gentle
thoughts:
AOuA iCstOi ~ 1yiuS Wy Mo-tu0 VoI y
letter containing the profound secret
Now, could punish you for your careless
ness but my dearest Charles, how coult
look you in the face on your return home
after having basely violated your trust ir
my integrity. and meanly sought TO graft
fy silly curiousity at the expense of hon
esty, delicacv and confidence No. Th,
letter is unopened. and lest you shoul,
feel uneasy, | enclose it to you, with tn
sincere love of your affectionate wife,
&c.
what an angel i uttered the conscienc
stricken husband.
She started with cry of pleasure. an,
as Charles met the light of her clear un
shrinking eyes, he was humbled that h
| should have suspected her. and deepl
struck with repentance at his own conduc
He 70. ever broke all ties that drew him q
broad; and if the pure being whose influ
ence had allured him to the path of righ
: had perused all his subsequent letters, sh
/ would find nothing concerning herself saw
! bursts Of the sincerest admiration an
warmest love.
FIDEL1TY.-Never forsake friend.-
When enemies gather thick around hir
: when sickness falls heavily upon him
when the world is dark and cheerless, th