The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-10-29
3AHEtlluuq.
BE KIND TO YOUR WIFE.


BE kind to your wife. Think how in
the first blush Of maiden beauty she turn.
Ell aside from the haunts Of pleasure, and
The caresses Of ford parents and brothers
ahd sisters, to follow your fortunes through
the war'd. Think with what blended
hope aud agony you followed her from
place to place, watching her every look,
and Pondering the meaning of her most
careless tones, until, won bv your impor-
lunity, she placed her hand all trus,fulIy
IN yours ard said, ~ am all your own"
ih'nk OF the cares and anxieles, and the
physical suffering she has incurred for
you, and do not desert her uow, when
her cheek has faded, her step has lost its
elasticity, and she sits an uncomplainino
watcher over Jour best interests, self,
'ncarcera,ed prisoner in her own home.
MerIly the music sounds, young feet
trip lightly in the Macy DANCE, and iovous
laughter along the walls-but she is no,
there the curtain rises anu the far famed
arliste comes forth to charm the listening
crowd with her me,9aiops sonc-but she
is not thcre. The orator arises before his
~tapt audience, his rich deep tones of elo-
qnence floating away along tho crowded
passages, and curling upward as n voiced
incense 10 tie vaulted roof; hut she is
not there. Art opens her new stores and
displays her wonderful creations on the
glowing canvass, anl in the speaking
bast; your wife is n lover Of tho chas,e
and beautiful, but she is not there; llera.
t"re presents new leaves, fresh from the
fascinating pen Of genius--the ,cite and
mother has but little time to read.
No; there she fingers at home, a God.
commissioned watcher oyey helpless child.
hood singing the babe to sleep, bending
to catch the Iispirg voices of those dear
ones who have II thousand imaginary
wants, encouraging the quiet aud sooth.
ing the frcttul. She is weary, but does
not complain, her temples throb, but she
hecdS pot their throbbng, as ever and
anon she turns wishful glance towards
The door, for she expects her husband.
She expects you +; and her whole world
Of hnTpIHesS will DC there whra YOU ar
rive.
Will you enter that room with cold in
ditiereneel VIII you utter n has,y word
in her Presencel viii you lit down with
that frown upon your coun,enancc, or
complain Of the burdens which you are
called to bearl Will you thoughtlessly
remind her of her tadel beauty, or mani
fest surprise at her Ignorance of many
things now passing in the great world
from which she has been excluded bv her
peculiar duties Will you suffer the re-
collection ofany more youthful, or more
beautiful, to haunt you in homes hallow
ed precincts, or cross the white leaf of
conJugal fidelity with one unhallowed
thoughts Oh! remember your early love,
your early promises thipk how faithfully
she has kept hers; love her as you ought,
and she is still beautiful beautiful in
her pure, motherly affections, her self
sacrificing Devotion to YOU. Realize tn 1t
she is all gour oYn ): tha; throughout the
vide world you are sure Of bp. one heart,
whose every chord is linked invsibly to
counterpart iR yougs; realize that upon
her bos3ma alope you may weep ont your
sorrows IL the day Of trial, without the
fear Of being mocked.
EInssSnd, love your wife J Gather her
to your heart Of hearts. as # in her were
all your hopes of happiness combined
bless her daily fol her patience and truth;
stand up like man between her aud the
rude cold world, and teach your chi!G zen
to honcr her, that God may honor you.
In all the relations OF life there comes a
parting hour; and we beseech you so to
live that, if it should be your lot to kiss
her clay cold Iirs and lay her away in the
grave forever, You nay lay your hand
honestly upon your widowed heart and
say meyer 'croHged you!
Olive Branch