The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-02-21
The Charms OF Married Life.

The article below-we do not kn ow
the author-is simply beautiful. We pity
the married man who cannot realize some
thing OF its truth; and he must be an 'in-
corrigible old bachelor whose heart Git he
has any is not touched by the reading
III in that chair yonder, no, the one
your feet lie upon; but the other beside
you. closer yet. were seated sweet-faced
girl. with a pretty little foot lying upon
the hearth, bit OF lace running round
the swelling throat. the hair parted to a
charm over foreheadfair as any Of your
dreams; and il you could reach an akns
| round that chair back. without fear OF
giving ofense, and suffer your fingers to
play idly with those curls that escape
down the neck, and if you could clasp
~ith your other hand those little white
taper fingers oi hers, which lie so tempt.
ingl swilhinreac ch. aud so, talk softly aud
low in The presence of the blaze, while
the hours slip without knowledge, and the
winter winds whistle uncared for il, in
short, you were 10 bachelor, but the ;,us-
band of some such. sweet image. (dya%m
call it rather would it not DE far pleas
anter than a cold, single night. sitting
counting the sticks reckoning the length
Of the blaze, and the hight Of the falling
snow. @
Surely Imagination would be s,run ger
and purer, it il could have the playful
fancies of dawning womanhood to de-
light it, All toll would be torn from mind
labor, if but another heart grew into this
present soul, quickening il, warming it,
cheering it, bidding it ever Godspeed.
Her face would make halo, rich as
rainbow. a top of all such noisome
things as we lonely souls call trouble =
Her smiles would illumine the blackest Of
crowded cares. and darkness that now
seats you despondentin in your solitary chair
for days together, weaving bitter dreams
would grow light and thin. and spread
aud float away, chased by that beloved
smile.
Your friend, poor fellow dies-never
mind +; that gentle clasp Of her fingers, as
she steals behind you, telling you not 10
weep, is worth ten friends
Your sister. sweet one, is dead-bur
led. Tho worms are bnsy with all their
fairness. How il makes you think earth
nothing bat spot 10 dig graves upon!
IL is more ; she says she will be sis.
ter; and the waving curs, as she leans
upon your shoulder. touch your cheek
and your wet eyes turn to meet those 9TH
er eyes-God has sent his angel. surely !
Your mother. alas she is gone! Is there
any bitterness 10 a youth, alone and home-
less. like this
But you are not Homeless you are not
alone she is there; her tears sottening
yours, her smile lighting yours, her grief
killing yours; and you live again TO as.
suage that kind of sorrow Of hers.
Then. these children. rosy, fair-haired;
no, they do not disturb you with pratlle
lnow-they are yours. Toss away there.
on the green sward ;>never mind the hya-
cintt,. the snowdrops. the violets, if so be
any are there; the perfume OF their health
ful lips is worth all the flowers OF the world.
No need now to gather wild boquets to
love and cherish; flower, trees. gun. are
all dead things livelier hold your soul.
And she, the mother, sweetest and fair
est of all. watching, tending, carressing.
loving, till your own heart grows panied
with tenderest jealousy; and curses itself
with loving.
You have no need now Of a cold lecture
TO teach thankfulness your heart is full
OF it, No, need now as once Of burst.
ing blossoms, of trees taking leaf, and
greenness, to turn tho't kindly and thank
fully; forever beside you there is fruit Iol
which eye, heart, and soul are full un.
known, unspoken-because unspeakable
thank offerings.