The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1856-03-19
WO0DSFIELD MONROE COUNTY OHIO MARCH 49, 1856 a>e y


this and ceased to care for it, though at
the expense of the loveliest attributes Of
womanhood One Of less sensibility and
Gneness Of organization might not have
felt it; but for her, the knowledge that
despite all her efforts, she still failed to
satisfy her husband, that he was contin-
ually comparing her is his own mind with
others, to her disparageinent, was most
cruel trial to her loving nature; a trial
that, continued through long years was
stealing her bloom, and even sspping
the fountain of life
And yet Ralph Miner seldom spoke
harshly to his wife, or thwarted her wish
es in anything relating to The externals
of life lie provided her a pleasant home
filed with comforts, if not with Injuries
4 woman who had been rightly brought
/ up, he thought, would ask no more; and
| if anything. in Ediths words, or manner,
ever indicated the unsatisied want of her
heart it was his custom to attribute it to
false views of life, gained from novels, ro-
mah,icnotions, incomprehensi5le woman
ishness' &C. lie was not heartless, bnt
even as limb, or bodily organ, by long
neglect Of exercise, becomes withered ana
iincapacitated so his heart, Gas he had ne
fver discovered The practiealuse ola heart
! by long neglect, had become inactive and
paralyzcd.
For the rest, he was q through, thrir-
ing, business man, temperate and moral,
in all things, upright and honorable, res
lpectcJl by all who knew him; beloved alas,
tby one!
A bright fire burns in the sitting room
of the Miners. Edith has brushed the
hearth, drawn the easy. chair before it,
and prepared a plate Of tempting pippins,
for her husband, whose practice it is to
return home at eight O'Clock, z, NJ, pre-
c;sely. True, he generally spends the re-
mainder of the evening in si}ent reading,
or il thought, revolving the business OF
the day; but Edith likes to think that he
lis enjoying his home. even though she is
in no wise q contributor to his enjoy
meAt.
A bachelor friend has been infer a
call but. fuding her husband absent re-
manca only few moments; and Edith
/ is glad of it, though he is one Of the few
who know well what rare gifts of though;
aud feelings are hidden beneath her calm
exterior, one Of whose congcniality ol
mind, she is well aware. 1t is for this
very reason that she avoids him: for docs
she not pray every day, Lead me not into
temptatlon!'
Have yau read the report of Thacke-
rays last lecture, in this weeks Trib-
une?,-Edith enquiries, as her husband
helps himself to the last apple, after hav-
! ing held. the plate toward her without
! speaking
.Noges; the last orsosne other,'
Silence for few moments, then Edith
says, looking up from her werh, II seems
that Sir John Fralkiiii's fate is decided
at last, without room for doubt. ! noti-
ced an account
I yes | read it, interrupts. the husband
who seems to be computing interest in the
GOALS Silence for half an .hour, when be
takes "a little account hook from thc+desk
and pencil froia his pocket.
What did you get at the store to-
day?'
-Four yards of flannel for Alice dress
1 1t is more expensive than delaine, but sc
durable that think it the cheapest al
last. And l bought 6 wooden bowl of q
tpedlar.
/ Did you need new wooden bowl?'
/ Yes Nancy split the old one quite il
4 two, to-day chorpipg meat. See here
it is. Alice has taken it for Doily's
cradle. Now if I were as ingenious as
! iGoody Haslow, I should have pierced two
holes here with hot iron, and then tfas
; tened the pieces together with a bit o
wire
Yes and every wonan ought toeknog
Ehow to do jast snch-things. One who
can%withont troubling anybody, is priz;
to her husband No danger Of poverty
for him. I like to see IA woman thins
she can do something if it does require {
little labor
'I'n put this together, if ysn will show
me-
/ You, humph!'
i Thesejwere the sc5rds but the tone can
mot be transferred to paper.
Edith makes no reply, and soon goe
Into the bedroom TO pat little Alliein ht,
Ecrib, and laying. her head on the pillow
beside the child waits fer it total asleep
Presently ncighhor comes into the sit
ting room, and she hears her husband tai
king with animation upon various inter
esting subjects. Fhackerays lectures
Dickens new story, hongfellow's poem
news from the Crimes, &c, SC. Sh(
Elies there long after the child is dreaming
She feels so lonely, SO friendless, SO un
cared-forl She longs to have good fret
talk with somebody She thinks of he
:, bachelor friend, Of his love for all that i
), good and beautiful, of his frank, mani,
j smile, as he shook her hand that evening
she thinks what if--God pities her; she i
asleep!
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