The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-05-15
Misfrllanrons.
A Nervous Wife.

Ny friend wilkins married q sweet young
girl, of quiet amiable disposition, but in
no way skilled in those domestic arts, with
out knowledge OF which, the wiic's duties
are always felt to be hard in the beginning.
He was theenvy of more than one who had
aspired to the possession of her hand. l
knew him to be Industrious, intelligent, and
kind.hearted and felt sure that ho had
taken a lile-companion who would be faith
ful and loving. The promise was bright
enough to warrant prophcsy of moro than
ordinary happiness.
They removed to another city. Ten years
afterwards, in passing through that city, |
called upon wilkins, who met me with the
old, frank cordiality. Eyes and face were in
u glow Of pleasure, when, still grasping his
hand, I inquired after his wife. His coun-
tanancc changed instantly.
poor Mary" he sand, in sad, discour-
aged way. 'Shc has no health
I'm sorry was my natural response.
Sickness, AMI the loss Of two of our chill
dren, have 50 worn down body and mind
that she is but a shadow Of her former self.
Worst Of all, her nerves are completely shat
tered. But you must see her. To meet an
old friend will do her good. You will take
tea with US, and spend the evening"?
asscntcd, and then made further inqui-
ries about his family and worldly condition.
Ills story was not very bright one. The
birth of their fir.t child wa, followed by n
prOstrating sickness, which brought the
youns mother to the utmost verge of life.
'She has never had good health since,
said wilkins, in depressed voice. MY in
come was small and We could not afford
the amount Of household assistance, in the
beginning, that she really required, and SO
everything was against her restoration to
sound health. Children came rapidly,
bringing with them cxhausting cares. md
the death Of two Of our little ones, to which
| have referred, seemed to complete the work
of ruin. She is now hopeless invalid, a
Moor. weak. nervous unhappy creature. n
mere wreck of what v u saw ten wears ago,
moving like a fearful ghost through her
daily round Of duties, and only kept alive
by the constant and careful attention Of u
physician. don't think tho doctor has
been out of my house for two weeks at a
time for six years, and I'm sure be has 70
ceivsd more than fifteen hundred dollars oi
NV money in that time. The fact is, with
what doctors bills, nurses, medicines, and
the hundred nameless expenses, sick and
nervous wife entails upon a man, my for
tunes have been marred. They keep me
poor.'
W,lk. ms smoke in frctrul voice. 1t was
plain that he had grown inpatient under
the trials to which the bad health of hi,
wife had exposed him.
Icallcd at his store again towards even
ING, and wen, home with him. Had me
AZ. wilkins in the street | would no
h,,o roc,,r;,.J in her the bappy bride who
-, ,o,r, hoc,r, b,psbiny in b,,utv I had
-. 30, h,na :, :, I;G.r,rtner.b;r
-, - -, ,ns,I, =, IN IL, r,,ur,
%sh,.,,nI or hor cboic, IIer coun,e
" '"e a,I ,,.,.,,d III j.. ho,,,;
"e' w." - -, ,,..,
; ,u''! tv""'.N - - -, - ;ndir.r
, '" ~ a.ae .;,tI. ,n,rr;,r, h,,
% c,IIo, oT T nm,;, scarce half Of i, remained
"nI ,ho, ,oor.a arv and crisn with her
- H. !, nrom,,,ro lin, Of GROW sb
s,ooroa ,lirb,lv, and her motion was life
-.
e,;r, smile rarted her lips as | grasp
=, hs- hand with all the warmth of a Gen
nine friendly interest. Bu, i, faded almos
! a, soon a. it wa. born. 1Iiea to talk wit.