Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-09-13
A HUSBAND AND WIFE.
A NcruRr.
(FrOm ne Kaieksr6OeRisr .Maga=ias.J

(From he Kaieker6oekr Jhdga=iHs)
There, now, is the charming Mrs. Plmp-
ton, could tell US something Of this matter il
she wood. | dare say she has thought Of it.
She has an honest heart, believe, or she could
not have so sweet face. Snll she lacks en-
ergy aud invention ,o break through roiine, and
SO she huliers her way through life as happy
and as unconcerned about the great wrong she
daily inhicls upon her husband il he were
born her natural slave and inherited bonds
man.
Mr.. Plimpton is head clerk Of the heavy
mercantile firm Of 'Siarbuck, Murray & Co.,
importers Of laccs, einbroideries and British
goods, in Dey street. He is very good look
ing fellow, about iive-and-thiuy. He is littls
worn and languid, and gives yon the impress
ion Of being man who has seen service, and
perhaps sown wild oats, in early days, extra
ierriiorially. You see, too, he has gotten
| few premature crow-feet in the corners Of his
eyes from hard work, etc. lie is rather plain
l in his dress, but has halfstudied neatness 10
/ il that is betrayed chiefly in the freshness Of
his linen and gloves. He is comely and quiet
4 in his manner but there is resoluieness there
| that tells you he is worker.
You meet him in the stree, and you nigh,
be half inclined TO suspect him Of being an ed
uca,ed man Of fouane, so collected and well
gathered is he but you would be quite sure
/ though a gentleman. he was not an idle one.
He imprcsses you unmisiakaby with the notion
that he leads an active life, and that duty, and
not pleasure, is hil mistress. have half
mind 10 step into the counting-room and see
how cheerfnlly aud yet how steady and labor-
ously he travels around 10 the mill Of his daily
occupation.
But while Mr.. Plimpton is hard at word at
bis daily task, let US avail ourselves Of this
bright noon and peep in, Asmodeus-like, and
see Mrs. Plimp,on. know her in a moment.
She is now boarding at one Of our large family
hotels, in Broadway. Ill not say whether ii
be the ST. Nicholas or Metropolitan, lest
might offend by drawing attention TO her
Well, we Look into her parlor. The nurse is
gone out with her children, and thus eaily in
day she is free as a bird. She is a small and
pretty woman, you see, with avery dainty air.
Her dress is very lady-like and eonl1le IL Jduf,
except, perhaps, too costly for any but prince.
You cannot fail to perceive she cunceives her
self to be n woman Of taste, and so indeed she
is-in dress Her air and manner is graceful
and easy, with very copioas dash Of the dolce
far nieafe. beg pardon for travelling so far
for the ierminology Of the type about which
am so qusrulous but it is an unnainra pro-
duction of American soil, and am compelled
TO seek an exotic hom worn-out civilization
for parallel. To return 10 the 'fayer ladye.
Her bonnet, (perhaps should say head-dress,
were il not self-con,radiciion,) is on, and she
is gloved aud shawled for walk OF a call
Thus she is every day. In The evening she
coaxes poor Plimpion to accompany her to
ball, or party, or some place of public amuse-
ment.
She sings, plays. and dances WE'LL She
is a fond, loving and trusting wife, and she
and Plimp,on are, dare say, very happy
But is this her desiinyl Plimp,on works each
day from morn TO dewy eve,' and never muir
murs. She, like the lily. neither tolls nor
spins Is this fairi Is this eqnali All his
earnings are freely, and unerudgingly, surren-
dered 10 her, that she may live in beautiful
idleness. His thoughts arc full Of care
And haliers herself that her 'chieiest good
consists in squandering his money, and making
herself beautiful Toy TO sooih his tired spir-
its, and 10 wheedle him into temporary forget
fulness OF the calls Of time and circumstance
upon his exerions Does this woman bear
her share of the yokel II her husband is fat-
ed TO be shop-keeper, what right has she to
SET up herself for anything beilerl IL labor is
too valgar for her. why not for him; and why
should not they twain that are one nesh' both
abiure it and slarve in harmony Is there not
a radical unsoundness herel Does not this
SAVIOR of the hareml Is not this rank Moham-
mechanism after all