The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-09
A sHREwD WIFE,
o 4, AN

II think, said Dir. Dana, as he pushed
back his chair from the breakfast table, and
looking hard at his vito, pretty little wo-
man. with large blue eyes, al think that l
should like to 20 to California and try my
luck. Darn il oil, everybody.sgoing about
here. Do you think you could spare me
for year, Nelly"
Mrs. Dana made no immediate reply;
she appeared to be very busy turning out a
cup oftea, though keener observer than
her husband would have noticed an uncom-
mon trcmulousness in her hands, Us Mr..
Dana ceased speaking.
al think that might do well there"
the husband continued, as though speaking
to himself
"Arc you not doing well here. on your
farm ~ asked the wife, atlength.
"I'm making living, perhaps, but 1t is
only b. hard work. Now, If | should so
to California. and be lucky, why, we could
have a great many more comforts than we
blessed with at present.
eve have everything that we could wish
for, to make US contented, and am sure l
sigh for no luxuries excepting what l can
well Afford" Mrs. Dana replied.
AYES, we have enough to eat, and clothes
to wear, but we can't buy lots Of good fur
niture, and hayea piano, like Squire Bolton.
Darn it, | want to be rich Us he is, and then
| should be contcnted," Mr.. Dana said ris-
ing from hls chair, and walking back and
forth in the kitchen, with energy.
Mr.. Bolton is far from being happy,
with all his wealth. said his wife.
We'll, know that; but then who could
be contented with such wife as he has
She's crazy half the time or else
IIush?' cried Mrs. Dana, with re-
proachful look; remember, If she has
faults, so have we ALL"
But what mean, Nelly, is that If he
had such wife as I've got, and with his
wealth, he couldn't help being happy
And yet you want to leave u wife you
think 30 highly Of Mrs. Dana said with a
rcproaehful look
But don't you see that il is for your CON-
fort and bcneii, in the end? you know,
Nelly, that nothing in the world would in
ducc me to quit you, unless it was the hope
of making fortune in short time;
wouldn't BE- gone longer than year, and II
liked tho country, and / thought You
would BE- eOntented there, I'D send for you.
The young wife strOye hard to retain her
cOmposure, as she asked
And WHAT will you do with the farm
while you are gomez
Il will get my youngest brother to come
and live here and carry it on. You shall
be left in full charge, Nelly, to do as you
please
give me week to think of it, the wife
replied; at the end Of that time I'll make
up my mind whether to consent to your go
ing or cot
Mr.. Dana was too well pleased to obtain
even this concession, to argue any further
that day, and after bidding his wife read the
accounts in the newspapers, containing the
latest news from California, he started OF to
his work.
Mr.. Dana owned u farm Of about one
hundred acres, near the town Of Windsor,
Vermont. He was young man, and a per-
son Of considerable energy, and had during
his minority, saved small sum of money,
which he had safely deposited in the Say
ing Bank, until such time rs he should want
to use il.
Arr he became of age, he added to his
capital, and when he thought he should
like Jane Perkins for wife, and proposed
to her, and was accepted, he bought the
farm which we find him occupying; and
was doing as well as any young farmer in
the neishborhood.
lie had been married about two years
when the gold fever of 1859 broke out,
sweeping OF thousands Of our most indus
trious mechanics and farmers, and leaving
many hcarth-stonc desOlate, and many n
wife to mourn an absent husband.
How few have returned with their antici-
pations fulfilled! Thousands who left the
New England States, expecting to win a
competency in short time, have been glad
to work their passage hack in some slow
sail tub, while Others too proud to return
empty handed, have toiled on, barely gain
Ing livelihood, and now rest from their
cafes and troubles by the hanks Of some
river, with nothing but rude board to mark
their graves.
After Mr.. Dana left his wife, she washed
her dishes, and put them away, and sat
down to read the glowing accounts of the
gold discoveries. The more she read, the
more fascinated did she become, until at
last came that if she was man, she would
b. tempted to 50 and try her luck.
Twice during the forenoon did she pcruse
the paper. and each time her resolution Of
not consenting to her husbands departure
grew weaker, until she finally made up her
mind, If he asked her consent again, she
would give Ii. 4 .-...
Mrs. Dana was woman Of considerable
- n