Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-07-31


ture presidcs, and his energy yields, his
naughty determination faints, he is proud
Of submission.
And with this though. Of modesty and
genlleness to illuminate your dream of
the ideal wife, you chase tho pleasant
phantom TO that shadowy homo-lying
far of in tho futurc-.-of which she is
the glory and the crown. know it is
a fashion, nova days, with many, to
look for woman's excclIences and in.
0uence, away from home bu, know,
too, that vast many eager and hopeful
hearts still cherish tho belief that her
virtues will range highest and live long.
est within those sacred walls.
Where, indeed, can tho modest and
earnest virtue Of woman, tell strong.
cr story Of its worth than upon the dawn.
ing habit of a child 4? Where can her
grace Of character win higher and ri.
per effect than upon the action OF her
household ? What mean those noisy
doclaimers who talk Of the feeble innu.
cncc, and of the crushed faculties OF
woman
What school Of learning or of moral
cndeavor depends more on lis teacher,
than the home upon the mother What
influence of all the worlds professors
and teachers, tells so strongly on the he.
bit of mans mind, as those gentle
droppings from mothers lips, which,
day by day, and hour by hour, grow into
the enlargirg stature of his soul, and
live with it forever They can hardly
be mothers, who aim at broader and
noiser field they have forgotten to be
daughters {: they must needs have lost
the hope Of being wives.
Be this as it may, tho heart Of a man
with whom affection is not a name, and
love mere passion of the hour, yearns
toward the quiet Of home as toward
the goal Of his earthly JOY and hope
And as you fasten, there, your thought,
an indu'gcnt, yet dreamy fancy, paints
the loved image that is to adorn il. and
TO make it sacred.
She is there to bid you-God speed!
and ali adeu, that hangs like music
on your ear, as you 90 out to the every.
day labor of life. At evening, she is
there TO greet you as you come back,
wcaried with days toll and her look
so full Of gladness--chcats you oryour
fatigue; and as she Fcals her arm round
you with soul of welcome, that beams
like sunshine on her brow and that fills
your eyes with tears of twin gratitude
TO her, and Heaven.
She is not unmindful Of those old.
fashioned virtues Of cleanliness and or.
der, which give an air Of quiet, and SC.
cure content. Your wants are all antic.
ipated. The fire is burning brightly
Tho clean hearth flashes under the joy.
Gus blaze. The old elbow chair is in
its place. Your very unworthiness of al
this haunts you like an accusing spirit,
and yet penetrates your heart with new
devotion toward the loved one who is
thus watchful Of your comfort.
SHE is gentle ;-kecping your love
as she has won it, by thousand name.
less and modest virtues, which radiate
her whole life and action. She steals
upon your affections, like summer wind
breathing softly over sleeping Valleys
She gains mastery over your stcrner
nature, by very contrast; and wins you
unwittingIy to her highest wish. And yet
her wishes are guided by that delicate
tact, which avoids conflict with your
manly pride; she subdues, by seeming
to yield. By single soft word Of ap'
peal, she robs your vexation of its an
ger; and with slight touch Of that fail
hand, and one pleading look Of tina
earnest eye, she disarms your stcrncs'
pride.
She is kind ;-shedding her kindness
as Heaven sheds dew. Who indeet
could doubt il ?-Ieast Of all, you, who
are living on her kindness, day by day
as flowers live on light? There is none
of that oflicious parade, which blunt
the point of bsnevolence but it temper
every action with blessing. If trouble
has come upon you, she knows that he
voice beguiling you into cheerrulness
will lay your fears and as she draw
her chair beside you, she knows that thu
tender and con6ding way in which sh'
takes your hand, and looks up into you
earnest face, will drive away from you
annoyance all its weight. AS she lin
gers, leading off your thought with pleas
ant words, she knows we'll that she is re
deeming you from care, and soothing yo
10 that sweet calm, which such home
and such wife can alone bestow. An
in sickness-sickncss that you almos
covet for the sympathy it brinss-tha
hand Of hers resting on your fevore
forehead, or those fingers playing viii
tho scattered locks, are more full kind
ness than the loudest vaunt Of friends
, and when your failing strength will PEI
!, nit no more, you grasp that cherishe
! hand-with fullness Of joy, Of thank
fulness, and Of love, which your tear
only can tell.
It She is good. Her hopes live whcl
the angels live. Her kindness and ger
. tieness are sweetly tempered with th
s meekness and forbearance which q
n born of Faith. Trust comes into hi
u heart, as rivers come to tho sea. Ar
in the dark hours Of doubt and foreb
l. ding, you rest londly upon her buoya
u faith as the treasure OF your comme
II life and in your holler musings, "