Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1853-02-15
The Dead wife.

In comparison with the loss Of wife,
all other bercavemcnts are trines. The
wife! she who fills SO large space in
the domestic heaven-she who is so bus.
led, so unwearied in laboring for the pre-.
cious ones around hcr-bitter, bitter is
the tear that falls on her cold clay! You
stand beside her coffin and think of the
past.-lt seems an ambcr.colorel path
way, where the sun shone upon beauti.
ful flowers, or the stars hung glittering
over head. Fain would the soul linger
there. No thprns are remembered above
that sweet clay, save those your hand
may have unwittingly planted. Her no.
BILE tender heart, lies open to your in.
most sight You think Of her now as all
gcntleness, all beauty and purity. But
she is dead! The dear head that laid
upon your bosom, rests in the still dark.
ness, upon pillow Of clay. The hands
that have ministercI SO untiringly, are
folded, white and cold, beneath the
gloomy portals. The heart, whose every
beat measured an eternity of love, lies
under your feet. The flowers she bent
over with smiles, bend now above her
will, tears, shaking the dew from their
petals, that the verdure around her may
be kept green and beautiful.
Many husband may read this in the
silence of broken home. There is no
white arm over your shoulder; no speak.
ing face to look up in the eye of love;
no trembling lips to murmur-"Oh it is
so sad"
The little one whose nest death has ri.
fed, gazes in wonder at your solemn
face, puts up his tinny hand to stay the
tears, and then nestles back to its faith.
er's breast, half concious that the wing
that sheltered Utmost fondly, is broken.
There is SO strange a hush in every
room! no light footsteps passing round.
No smile to great yon at nightfall. And
the old clock ticks and strikes and ticks!
it was such music when she could hear
it! Now it seems to kncll the hours
through which you watched the shade ows
Of death gathering upon her sweet face.
1t strikes one! the fatal time when the
death warrant rang out" "there is no
hope" Two! she lies placidly still
sometimes smiling family, sometimes
grieving little, for she is young to tread
the valley Of the shadow. Three! The
babe has been brought in, its little face
laid on her bosom for the last time. Four!
her breath becomes fainter, but heav.
enly joy irradiates her brow. Five!-
there is slight chanse-O! that she
might live! Father spare her.
"Thy will be DONE"
1t was her soft broken accents. Yes!
Heavenly Friend, who gavest her to
bless me-Thy will be done!
Six! there are footsteps near. Weep.
ing friends around. She bids them fare.
we'll as she murmurs, "m eet me in heav.
en-" The damp drops gather upon her
pallid features at the seventh hour. She
lies very still.-somctmes she hears sweet
music. Eight! passing away so gently!
But her hand yet clings to yours, and so
she lies while that old house.cIock tolls
forth nine-ten-eleven-twelve- sol.
emn strokes. You spring to your feet.
The lips, are still-cold to your lips.
The small hand has fallen back; its touch
grows icy. She is gone. She will new.
cr speak to you again on earth. You
must bear that cold gaze that love so
lately kindled-and you fall weeping by
her side. ,. -.... .-.. +.
And every day that clock repeats that
old story. Many another tale it telleth
too-of joys past-of sorrows shared, of
beautiful words and deeds that are reg.
istered above. You feel-O! how often,
that the grave cannot keep her. You
look at your innocent babe, and think
that seraph is guarding it. Cherish
these emotions, they will make you hap.
pier. Let her holy presence be as chram
to keep you from evil. In all new and
pleasant connections, give her spirit
place in your heart. Never forget what
she has been to you-that she has loved
you. Be tender other memory-so may
you meet her with soul unstained-a
bright and beautiful spirit. bride, where
no one shall say any more forever. "she
il dead."-Mrs. Denison-Olive Branch
9 The ultra dandies have adopted the
mouse.tail fashion for mustaches as de.
scribed last year, as the military fashion
on the Casc.ne, at Florence. By means
Of gum or soap, the mustaches are made
to stand out on either side Of the face,
like tho horns Of catfish. Ambitious
young men please take notice. 'aiaog {
'lad piFypL hfe fEc ali r.a Nrra ~Fp gQs 81