Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-09-18


sympathy with his wles feeling. He was
sufferer with her, though in lighter degree,
and as his sufferings originated in her, there
was, plainly, certain lack of kindly patience
towards his companion. Several times he in
terruptcd her, trying to draw the conversa.
tion into another channel; and once or twice
he threw in dcprccating sentences, as if she
were eXaggcratng the story OF her life
learned that Mrs. Wilkins rarely If ever
went out Of her own house. Her duties were
very ardnous, and her ability, from i'll health,
small. Every day she worked to bodily ex.
haustion, and usually in pain. There was no
recreation of any kind, bodily or mental. 1t
was a living death. No wonder she was
dropping, wrctchcd, nervous woman.
Next day | called TO see my friend, having
made up my mind to have a plain talk with
him. referred to his wife, expressing my
earnest sympathy in regard to her
"POOr Mary" he replied; cher case is hope
less, and mine too, fear. "
"While there's life, there's hope" said I,
using the physiciuus's halfdrspairing axiom
lie regarded me little curiOusly.
How often do you take her Out?" en-
quircd.
lie shook his hcnd. "Can't afford carriage
hire; It's as much as can do to pay the doc.
tor. No, no, neither Of us have time nor
money To spend for riding out. d" --"-"-"'--------'
"Change aud fresh air you will find better
and cheaper medicines than doctors stuff
DO you take her to the seaside in summer"
You are ieSting, he replied, with the mir
OF one who felt that an undue liberty bad
been taken.
Far fom it. my friend" answered, Sc
riou> Y; 81 feel too warm an interest in you
to jest on n subject like this. "
"a visit to watering place is luxury"
lie remarked sadly.
"DO not names them as luxurieS in your
case. If the cnervated votary Of pleasure
needs them for recreation, and to impart
! new zcSt to the years succeeding round of
gay existence, how much more ESSENTIAL are
they for the sick, the nervous, the exhausted
tOilrr in lile'S field Of earnest labor fear,
my friend, that you have not thought wisely
of YOUR wifc's true position; that, in some
sense, you are TO blame for present illheath
and state Of mental depression.
How Wilkins looked surprised.
1.-THE human soul, | answered, "is not
pitcc OF senscless machinery; not made up Of
ST ricS OF iron wheels that can do thCrwOrk
as well in the underground chamber MS in the
broad daylight. Even the flower must have
change air, sunlight, morning, evening and
the advancing seasons, for its healthy growth
and maturity. But the human soul is Of
higher organization and has mutitudinous
! wants compared with the flower. Shut Mp the
flower from the waIm sun and the refreshing
air, and will it not grow sicklv:-nay, will II
not iad", withcr and die? You are treating
your wife with less consideration than you
Woa!d treat house plant. 40 wonder that
>h" is dying daily. "
Wilkins really looked amazed, and wns
for little while in doubt whether he was Of.
Tended at my freedom, or astoniShcd at my
own blindnt SIS touching the nature and wants
Of the human soul who had Joined in life
comrauionship with his own.
Natures tw" best physicians" went on,
'are pure mir and exercise. And what is bet
ter, they charge nothing for attendance -"
ITO large part of mankind" answered
wilkins, time is money. It's our case"
Don't make that too positive conclusion.
Increase the strength, and you diminish the
hours OF labor-nay, more, you remove the
cause Of extreme exhaustion. My word for
it, you had spent twenty pounds year in
giving your wife change of scene, sea bathing,
and mental as well as bodily recreation, your
doctors bill would have been reduced by
more than that amount. How often do you
take her to concerts or other places Of limo.
cent amusement
1--WE haven't becn to a concert for five
years" said he.
"And yet remember she was passionate
| ly fond Of music"
1--WE can't afford it," remarked Wilkins,
g'oomiy.
d" Better 60 without dinner occasionally.
Health Of the soul is quite as essential as
health Of the body. If you starve the former,
what is there in mere eating and drinking
worth living fOr!
MARY wouldn't 60 il were to purchase
tickets. She has housed herself so long that
she has no desire to step across the threshold" !"
For which, speaking frankly, aud to an
old friend, you are, in great measure, to
blame. And, unless you ut once, and with a
purpose not to be set aside by first difficulties,
actually compel your dropping wife to 60 forth,
few years will close up the history of q
wretchcd life"
"Ah!" said he, l can feel the force Of
what you say! But how and where to begin !!
That is the question"
81 notice, was my reply. that cclcbra.
ted composer and pianist is in your town and
will give this evening one Of his concerts
Take her to hear him."
am sure she will not co."
81 am going to invite her." said I; land |
don't believe she will refuse me-"
wilkins was quite positive.
"Wc'll see. You will take note Of invi-
tntion from me. will enclose tickets for you
both, and say that will call in the evening
aud make one Of the company at the concert"
wilkins was incrrdulous, and half opposed
me; but my interest in his unhappy wife was
too strong and resolved to have my own
way. The tickets and invitation were accord
ingly sent
called at my friends Office in the afternoon
| to go home with him.
"Wcl said |, checr(ully, what word from
your good wife? Will she be ready for the
conccrt?"
"I'm afraid not"
Wilkins shook his head and looked gloomy.
"What did she sayy"
That it was impossible for her to 60 out
that she couldn't leave the childrcn and,
finally, after had met every objection with u
reason that could not be gainsaid, she declared
that she didn't feel wish to 30, and couldn't
think Of it."
"Thc ice is very solid and hard to break
through" smiled as spoke 1t is that
want Of inclination which must be overcome.
| She'll 90 If we insist upOn il