Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-02
resumed the subject, and gently urged him
to break his situation at once to his wife.
he shook his head mournfully but positive

resumed the subject, and gently urged hir
to break his situation at once to his wife
He shook his head mournfully but positive
ly. a@ieasaH
"But how are you to keep it from her
is necessary that she should know it, tha
you may take the steps proper to the alter
alton of your circumstances. YOU mus
change your style of living -nay,' observ
ing pang to pass across his countenance
'don't let that affect you. am sure yo,
have never placed your happiness in out
ward show-you have yet friends, yes many
warm friends, who will not think the worse
OF you for being less splendidly lodged, ant
surely it does not require palace to b.
happy with Mary.o
81 could be happy with her,'' cried he
convulsively, Sin a howell could go dowr
with her into poverty and the dust could
- could = God bless hes 20 cried he, burst
ing into q transport of grief and tender
ness.
l must confess, Notwithstanding all
had said, selt some little solicitude for Tho
result. Who can calculate ON the fortitude
of one whose life has been round oi
pleasures. Her gay spirit might revolt at
the dark, downward path Of low humility
suddenly pointed out before her, and might
cling to sunny regions in which they had
hitherto reyelled. Besides ruin in fashion
able life is accompanied by so many gall
ing notifications, to which in no other
ranks it is a burden. In short, could not
meet Leslie the next morning without trepi.
dation. He had made the disclosure.
"And how did she bear it ?'
sLikc an angel. 1t seemed rather to be
a relief to her mind, for she threw her arms
atound my neck and asked me if that was
! all that had lately made me unhappy. But
poor girl added he, 'sshe cannot realize
the change she must undergo. She has no
! idea Of poverty but in the abstract; she
has only read OF it in poetry, where it is
allied t. love. She feels as yet no priya-
ton; she suffers no loss Of accustomed
conveniences nor elegancies. When we
come practically to experience its petty
wants, its petty humiliations-th will be
! the real trial."
'sBut," said l, snow that you have got
over the severest task, that Of breaking it
to her, the sooner you let the world into
the secret the better. The disclosure may
be mortifying, but then it is single misery
and soon over whereas you otherwise suffer
| it, IN anticipation every hour in the day. 1t
is not poverty SO much as pretence that en-
hances ruined man. the struggle between
a proud mind and an empty pun se-the
keeping up of hollow show that must soon
come to an end. Have the courage to ap-
pear poor and you disarm poverty of its
sharpest sting On this point found
Leslie perfectly prepared. lie had no false
pride himself, and as to his wife she was
anxious to conform to their altered fortunes.
lie was now gong to the cottage, where his
wife has been all day experimenting its ar
ra1gement. My feelings had become strong
ly interested in the progress of this family
story, and as it was fine evening offered
to accompany him.
day, and as we walked out, fell into a fit of
lie was wearied with the tatigues of the
gloomy musing.
"Poor Mary ~ at length broke, with a
heavy sigh from his lips.
''.And what of her 2'' asked |, f:has any
thing happened to her 2" ana -
''What," said he, darting an impatient
glance, sis it nothing to be reduced to this
paltry situation-tU be Gagged in u misera-
bic cottage--to be obliged to toll almost in
the menal concerns of her wretched habi-
tation ?'' f.
''lIas she then rcrined at the change %
asked. " 3
"Rep;ned2 she has been nothing but
sweetness and good humor. Indeed she
seems in better spirits than have ever
known her she has been to me all love, and
tenderness, and comfort!"
admirable girl" exclaimed |. "You
call yourself poor my friend you never were
so rich you never knew the boundless
treasures of excellence you possessed in
that woman.o
"Oh! my friend, if this first meeting at
the cottage were over, Thick could then
ha fnr oh al e
real experience; she has been introduced
into humble dwelling: she has been employ.
cd all day in arranging its miserable equip
ments; she has for the first time looked
around her on a home destitute of every
thing convenient, and may now be setting
down exhausted and spiritless brooding
over the prospect of future poverty 20
There was degree of probability in this
picture that could not gainsay, so we
walked on in silence.
l felt Leslie's hand tremble on my arm.
lie stepped forward to hear more distinctly.
Ills step made NO noise on the gravel walk
A bright, beautiful face Glanced out az the
iMiGsvm and vanished; light footstep was
heard, and Mary came tripping forth to meet
US. She was In pretty rural dress of
white; few wild flowers were twisted in
her line hair; fresh bloom was on her
check her whole countenance beamed with
smiles l had never seen her look so lovely.
"My dear George | am SO glad you
are come; have been watching and watch
ing for you, and running down the lane and
looking out for you. Iye set out table
under beautiful tree behind the cottage
and I've been gathering some of the most
delicious strawberries, for know you are
fond OF them, and we have such excellent
cream and every thing is SO still and sweet
here--Oh!" said she, putting her arm
within his, and looking up brightly in his
lace, "Oh! We shall be so happy''
Poor Leslie was overcome. He caught
her to his bosom he folded his arms around
her-he kissed her again and again--he
could not speak, but the tears gushed into
his eyes and he has often assured me that
the world has since gone prosperously with
him, and his life has indeed been happy
one, yet never has he experienced moment
OF more exquisite felicity.
A MONKEYS FUN.-A monkey tied to
stake was robbed by the Johnny Crows
Tin the West Indies) of his food, and
ne conceived the following plan of pun
ishing the thieves: fle feigned death.
and lay perfectly motionless on the
ground near to his stake. The birds
approached by degrees and oot naar