Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-06-19
THE WIFES MISTAKE. "
BY GREY MARION.

1t is very beautiful, the history of the "Wife's
Mistake and have no doubt such cases are
and such an example may be profitable. But
let ne tell tale on the other side.
My friend Merle Vernon was BRIGHT. attrac-
tive girl, well educated and intelligent, and as
good as She was intelligent She married ac-
cording to her choice. might, if had the
/ power, and were inclined for romance instead
Of straight forward story. tell of the first meet
ing, and the first impressions, and the mutual
attraction, and the conclusion to which she and
Henry Dale were irrosstihly drawn, that they
were made for each other, and could not by any
possibility 20 through life except together. /
saw them whcn they met twice accidentally and
to him Unexpectedly, and built a whole ro-
nance on hi, start and blush Of pleasure, and
his animated greeting. q wish could have
seen the same thing ten years latcr.) Well
time went on they were married, and every
one argued the most sunny life foi them Both
well educated, cultivated, and with similarity in
taste, even their religious feelings in harmony (.
on one point only was there any difference
Ills early life had been hard discipline, and he
had never known the charm Of u pleasant home
and social intercourse
II is desirable in married life, in order to per-
feet harmony, that the education and habits of
life of each should have been similar
Well. as | said. they were married, the we'd
ding journey was over. the Wedding visits re-
'teivcd and paid and then Henry threw himself
back into his profession, with the more zeal for
the time he had lost. Ills wife entered into his
pursuits and interests, devoted her evenings to
him when he could be at home, helped him to
look for authorities, or took her work or book,
and sat quietly by, while he knottcd lis brow
over knotty eases.
She huI pNpa,ta1 ,..,,,, s,,n,o.b,. l.. ,,,,,.
suits also; not much time given to her, but some
help now and then. advice as to reading, refresh
ing discussions on topics of interest Evening
alter evening. week aiterweek, she watched and
waited. but there was always something of more
importance, or very often engagements out. in
which shc could not share. There were always
the best reason, in the world; no one could
question his propricty, but there were alway,
reasons.
So She learned to plod ON by herself; helped
her husband still when She could, and then read
as She might, turning over what she had read
IN her own mind, for want OF sympathy in the
communication.
Still she said to me, "next year." and "ncXt
year, Henry says, he Will not work 50 hard he
will have more time"
smiled iuwardly at her womans faith. and
said TO myself, 'ncNt year, and next year, my
dear child, will never come"
You can break few threads easily, but let me
wind around YOU the habits of many wears. Il
wear Nards.) and il will take more strength than
YOU have TO break them.
Henry grew renowned in his profession. made
himself iamous but he paid dearly for his re-
nown. Years gathered On hi> head they had
position, emircncc wealth. but no hoD,e. lie
was much cngros,cd, and, gradually. even his
wife was IN his way when he was reading and
writing. 80 they spent their time asunder.
They gradually withdrew from social life
Sometimes She went out alone; but She grew
tired of that. Sometimes She invited friends to
her house; but when he either excused himself
entirely. or submitted 70 the interruption with
very had gtee-, L. .-u'V alseNrn imt. m.
fact is, that, ike many another. he mi>took the
means for the end, and made that which should
have been the means OF supplying his wants, the
aim and ohcc; of life.
While Merle was still nursing the dehsive
hope of the next year, his locks whitcned with
his tolls, and the silver thread, grew lsorc and
more plentiful among her dark locks.
BY that time She had almost learned to live
alone, and ii had been wise had She lcarnd the
lesson earlier heard friend say one ,lay. in
her hearing II don't believe in polygamy a
man who is welded to his profession ought not
TO take any other Wife Merle looked as ii She
understood it
(~Bu' ao, 81 ,orl she spake.")
One day the secret came out \ friend said
TO Henry, You ought to give yourself more
time; You work too hard at YOUR age"
nh said he, in reply, There is nothing
else for me. The fact is, my habits are fixed. /
am not good for anything else, and | suppose
shall work on till die"
There was the end of all my friends beautiful
hopes. lie had untitled himself entirely for do