Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-05-20
GSnfsti9n, sgrienltare ann ge@s 5f tgf 9ya
aA1 20, 1857

from actual observation and experience, how
much there is in the familiar intercourse Of
home-llfe, that will inevitably grow tame,
commonplace, and devoid of interest, unless
the eleVating and, refining infIu nee of affec-
aon invests it with grace and dignity, that
sne became fully sensible how terrible had
neen the precipice, upon. the brink of which.
she had stood. But even before she had
Deen many weeks wife, her eyes were suf
nciently opened TO make her tremblingly
snank God that every day and every hour
was making her husband still dearer 10 her
neart- -that he possessed sHch noble traits of
ciar-thaf he was so devoted to her
80 tender ana forbearing, that she could not
help loVlsg him
just one yrar after her nasrrT1ge she wrote
- 4 sIfIesss nss s -. 8 l1..r s
tell, you, dear Kate, that this IS the anniyer-
sary of my wedding. All day long have l
been blessing my Father in Heaven that I
have not been punished as I deserved, for
having dared to approach the altar with such
lrreVerent footsteps. I do not wonder that
you, my sister-you who realize so fully the
holiness and sanctity of the true maria ge,
thought me wild-mad. I was so for fear
full is the hazard incurred by any woman who
places her happiness in the keeping of one
whom she does not love, no matter how strong
or deep may be his attachment to her. Had
my husband been any thing but what he is
had he been one whit less worthy nv of love,
or less calculated to inspire it, | tremble to
think what my fate would have been. An
unloylng wife Oh, Kate, can you think of
any other combination of words so fraught
with deep and mournful meaning? The
Danger IS past IN my case for no wife ever
Ioved husband more devotedly than do
mine now. But do not the less regret the
past The tlrst few months of my married
NE were emblttered constantly by the knowl-
edge that Willis was grieved and disappoint-
gu tnat was not to him all that he had ex
pected his wife would be; that he thought
me cold, and, perhaps, heartless. All this
would have been avoided-many sad hours
both ON his part and my own, if had but
taken your advice, Kate, and been less hasty
But must still disagree with you on on,
point. have always been glad that Willis
knows nothing of my former engagement.
l think it would have troubled him, partic
ularly when we were first married he ha
some peculiar ways of thinking, and one O
his notions is; that second attachment, /
ever felt at all, can never equal first il
depth or intensity. 30 you see it is well
that he is Ignorant of that affair; and sine
have known his ideas on the subject, hav
been in constant fear lest he should hear
It, l shall probably be with you in June
and remain month or two-and wont W
have fine times9 1t is often said that mai
riage weakens the ties that bind woman t
her early friends; but do not believe it.
certainly | never loved you, dearest Kate, c
our dear father, any better than now and
sometimes think never half as WE'LL
Very proud and very happy was Adelaid,
ing summer, to pass few weeks beneath tt
shadows of the same trees that had sheltere
her childhood, for she bore a little Kate wit
her, who must needs be presented to gran'
papa and Aunt Kate.
ITO be continued)