The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-11-28
THE TWO WIVES.

DO you believe, said an acquaintance to
me one day, shat Amy Marston knows that
her husband has failed? | cannot think she
does, from her appearance, though people
do say she isawfully proud. Why, she was
at church last Sabbath, and looked as high
and we'll dressed as usual. thought after
such fall, we should lose sight Of her en-.
tiroly. Poor woman I pity her.
Perhaps she does not need your pity
said l, smiling at the.woful countenancc of
my companion. Mrs. NJ. is q woman of
noble mind; one that braves couragcously
the storms of life. She knows ALL
what you don't say, Miss NJ, that she
knows oil and still continues to dress, and
carry as proudly as before? l did think this
would bring her to a level with common
folks
Poverty would never do that my friend;
she can never rank with the common herd
will tell you why-sho has mind superior
to the mas, mind that could never 30 far
forget its native dignity rs to bow and cringc
before the strokes of misfortune sho has q
noble pride, the pure metal, as different from
the tinscl vanity 0s gold is from dross /; n
pride that glories IN making the best use Of
Gods gifts. You should know her bettor to
appreciate her real WORTH Ispoke war m
ly, for l we'll knew Helen RS great aver
sion to proud folks among which class she
had ever ranked Mrs. NJ. Taking from my
work.box neatly folded sheet, I read the
following, received that morning from Amy
Nlarston:
DEAR MARY: II is rs fcared-all is
gone. Not for myself do grieve, but for
Henry; for the many beside his own family
in q measure dependent upon him. L can
not bear to sec his generous, noble impulses
cramped by tho wantof means to carry them
out. IIo has laborod long and well, and
now to see these hard earnings swept from
his grasp by petty turn of misfOrtuncs
wheel, is hard to bear, hard for him who
had so dear plans in operation.
widow r. son can no longer remain nt
school; our poor Pastor must fall back on
his limited salary the new books to be add
ed TO his library must so unpurchascd this
year at least; five clerks must seek employ
ment elsewhere Anna and Kate must come
home, but for this am heartily glad, for
who can feel more solicitude in moulding
those tender minds than mother?
Had these losses been the result Of my
own mismanagement and eItrayagancc,
might have fretted-might have wept; now
1 am calm-fcarlcss. feel within me that
which can soar far above such trivial things,
There is pleasure in tho glorious blue of
future which we are to help imako' Think
not my trust is in self. There is Power
: beyond who directs our steps; I have health,
strength, will powerful when it feels II
grasp on the good. lam like q fcathered
. bird let loose; joyous sense of freedom
, pervadcs my bosom. lam happy, thankful
, cheerful. smile at the altered looks Of the
, many who have called me Dear Mrs. NJ,
| in time past they forget that ! am still
Amy Marston, mo dropping flower that
D smiles only in the sunshine; hardy and fear
less, I shall climb once moro the hill of for
tune for IL we strive to do our duty, tc
help ourselves, we shall surely come out
right. This is what I say to Henry; and
/. when he murmurs his doubts, l just whis.
. per, Sufficient unto the day is the evil there
I of. 'Tis all need say. The smile coms
5 cleaning back to his good face.
Come and sec us; have many plans fol
the future, which would be glad to lay be
! fore you. ANY MARsroS.
Q The bright tsar-drops stool in Helen RI
$ eyes as ! finished.
0 MAY l 20, too, with you some timef
n asked she, in low voice. did not rcius
r her. Five years have passed since then
n five years. Mr.. NJ. is o rich Imam, and tn
J. best of oil his treasures is good rye.
o A low tap at my door. 1t sent tho pulse
= shivcring to my head. Ifsl. that little fain
% knock was no common summons; who coul'
i it be that thus applied for entnnee' mn
n for what was l wanted ut that lato hour7
. had sat long, dreaming Of bye-sonos thsr
y was one, y dark.oycd, noble-browed girl VIII
,c had shared my hearts love from childhood
es hers was no common beauty; sho had maj
,s ricd we'll; but wealth takes to itself wings
II tho rich Mr.. A. became abankrupt; whe'
l. he went or what became ofmy carly frienc
I could never learn; but that night she ha
70 come to me felt that I was about to me
ID her, 50 my heart bounded as 1t had not dor
II Tor years. Ioponed the door; little sle'
4, der boy spoke my namc and said:
ID .Mother was very Ill. Would l plea
he come to hcr!
OF Lobcycd the summons; Isaw her. The
IN lshe lay, on miserable couch, pale, emae'a