Washington telegraph., 1854-03-15
The Fading Wife.

MorN oi singular beauty. rathos and power.
with Tx. this picture was but dream-a
creation of the fancy, bnt to many it has
been reality-dark, cold and desnlatinc
The wife, over whom your love brood-,
is fading. Not beauty fading; that. now
that your heart is wrapped in her being,
would be nothing
She secs with quick eye your dawuinc
apprehension, end she tries hard to make
that step of hers elastic
Your trials and your loves together have
centered your affections. They are no. now
as when You were lone man, wide spread
and superficial. They have caught from
domestic attachments a finer tone and touch.
They cannot shoot out iendrils into barren
world-soii and suck up thence strengthen.
ing nutriment. They have grown under
the forcing lass of home-roof, they will not
now bear exposure.
\ on Go not now look men in the face as
if a heart bond was linking you-as if a
community Of feeling lay between. There
is heait-bond that absorbs all others; there
is a community that monopo,izes your feel
ing. Wien the heart lay wide open, be-
fore it had grown upon, and closed around
particular objects, it could take strength and
cheer. from a hundred connections that now
seem colder than ice.
And now those particular objects-alas
for YOU. are falling.
What anxiety pursues you How YOU
struggle to fancv-there is no danger: how
she struggles to pursuade you-there is no
danger.
How it CRATES now On your car-the toll
and turmoil of the city, 1t was music
when you were alone it was pleasant even,
when from the din you were celebrating
comforts for those cherished objects; when
you had such sweet escape as evening drew
on.
Now 1t maddens you TO sec the world
careless while you are stepped in care
They hustle YOU in the street: they smile
at you across the table; they bow carelessly
over the way; they do not know what can
ker is at your heart.
Your eye follows The physician as he
leaves your house is lie wise. you ask your
self is be prudent? is lie the best? Did
he never fails he never forgclful.
And row the hand that touches yours, is
it no thinuer--no winter than yesterday :?
Sunny days come when she revives; color
comes back; she breaIhes free sac picks
flowers; she meets you with smile hope
lives again.
But the next day Of storm she is fallen
She cannot talk even; she presses your
land
You hurry away from business before
your time. What matter for clients-who
is to reap the reward ? What matter for
fane-whose eye will it brighten What
matter for riches--whose is the inheritance?
You find her propped with pillows she
is looking over a little picture book be-
thumbed by the dear hoy she has lost
She hides it in her chair; she has pity on you
- Another day of revival, when the
spring sun shines, and flowers open on. of
doors; she leans on your arm. and strolls
into the garden where the first birds are
singing Listen to them with her what
memories are in bird-sougs, You need net
shudder at her tears--they are tears of
Thanksgiving. Press the hand that lies
light upon your arm. and you. too. thank
God, while yet yon may.
You are early at home--nid-a
Tonr step is not light; it is heavy, terrible.
They have sent for you.
She is lying down ber eyes half closed;
her breathing low and interrupted.
She hears YOU her eyes open; you put
your hand in hers; yours trembles: hers
does not. Her lips move; it is your name
BE strong" she says-"God viii help
you!.''
She presses harder your hand "Adieu,"
y long bFea;h-another you are alone
again. No tears new; poor man. You
cannot fnd them!
Again home early. There is a
smell Of varnish in your house. a coffin
is there /: they have clothed the body in de-
cent grave clothes, and the undertaken is
screwing down the lid, slipping round on
tip-toc. Does he fear to waken her
He asks you simple question about the
inscription upon the plate, rubbing it with
his coat cuff You look him straight in the
eye; you motion to the door; you dare nc,
speak.
He takes up his hat and glides out stealth.
tul as cat.
The man has done his work well for all
1t is a nice cofhn-a very nice coffin -
Pass your hand over it-how smooth.
Some springs of mignonette are lying
carelessly IN a little giIt-edged saucer
She loved mignonette.
1t is good staunch table the coffin rest.
on; it is your table; you are housekeep
era man OF family
Aye, of family keep down ontcry. oil
the nurse will be in. Look over at th,
4 pinched features; is this all that is left 0
her? And where is your heart now? No
/ don't thrust your nails into your hand, no
mangle your lip, nor CRATE your teeth to
ge,her If you could only weep.