Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-02-22
TTIEUNYIELDING WIFE;
Or, The Effects of Ill Temper.

ny A FARMERS WIFE.
Before proceeding to the subject mat
ter of this paper, allow me, my friends.
TO exhort YOU to pause long and strive
earnestly at self-cuture and self-control,
before taking step which involves your
all of earthly happiness, as well as that of
the individual whom, before Heaven you
promised to love, honor, and CHERISH du-
ring your sojourn in a state where mutu-
al concessions are constantly demanded.
Nv female friends, though the chosen
comp mpanion of your life may not be all you
had, in the ardor of your affection, pain
ted him, he is still the man which you are
bound to " love, honor and obey" and
to Your keeping in great degree, is com
miIed his reputation, his usefulness in
life, his social tastes and fire-sidc enjoy
ments Mutual improvement is undoubt-
ed!y one of the ends Of the instltu-
ton Of marriage ; but any attempt at cor
rect or reproof should be mingled with
kindness of manner; if the contrary
course is adopted, the desired effect is
worse than lost, and frequently the seeds
af good already sown in the heart, are,
by harshness and severity, stifed in the
germ. and the noble feelings which had
begun 10 expand are blasted by the heat
Of an ungovernable temper.
Years ago, when in the freshness and
buoyancy of girhood. l was about to
become the bride of him who had striven to
make me happy. l received letter from
my mothers eldest, sister, earnestly ur-
ging me to spend few days with her, as
She wished particularly to see me. Ac-
cordiuyly | went and was cordially re-
ceivcd by Aunt Clara and the family of
her son, whom with she resided. One
day during my visit, Aunt CIar" told me
that she had heard of my intended mar
riage, and feeling a deep interest i'll my
welfare, she had determined TO give me
history of her married life, believing
that it might convey IL useful lcss0n.-
Whether she thought she discovered the
same traits in my character that caused
the shipwreck of her happiness, l cannot
say but let that pass. She said on ac
count of the sad memories and unhappy
feelings it would necessarily awaken. she
lad reduced the narrative 10 writing
which l might pursue at pleasure.
At an early day1 awaited myself Of her
kindness-her manuscript here is cOpi-
ed:
Being the oldest of six children my pa
rents had always been accustomed to rely
on me for much assistance, which, had
been the only child, they would scarce
" have considered me able to render.-
Nv mothers time was almost wholly Oc
cupied with household affairs, so that at
sixteen years of age the care of two little
sisters and three brothers devolvcd upon
me. Nature had endowed me wish an
indo omitable will and passionate love of
power. which required a stronger curb
than the occasional reproofs which ebuii
ton of temper called forth. Among my
brothers and sisters my word. was law,
and when issued command, and that
was the form in which my issues were
exercised, } l exacted the strictest obedi
ence. do not think the children could
have love d me very much. for my passion
ate instructions must have engendered
that fear which casts out love.
At length a change came over me-a
passion took possession of my heart,
which for time overPowered all baSer
passions-ueed say that passions was
love :? My whole heart was devoted to
an object worthy of better disciplined
one than could bring him. u .-.. q
AS if to prove the assertion true that
every person loves his opposite, the OBJ
ject Of my attachment was mild with a
disposition full of kindness and charity
always choosing to suffer wrong rather
than to contend with an antagonist. o.