Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-06-11
VOL. XII.
THE NERVOUS WIFE CURED.

He was the envy of more than one who had
qspired to the possession of her hand. |
kne, Y him to be Industrious, intelligent and
lind hesrted; and felt sure that he had taken
a life com, t,anion who would be faithful and
Iaving. The promise was bright enough to
,,,srren, ,ronhecV Of more than ordinary
happiness.
They removed to another town. Ten
years afterwards, in passing throsgn that
town, called upon wilkins. who met me
with the old, frank corG;ality. Eyes and
face were in glow of pleasure waen' s'iii
grasping his hand, inquired after MS VIE
His countenance changed instantly
'Puor Mary!;' he said, in sad, discourag-
ed way. ssShe has no health-"
"l'm sorry" was my natural response
"Sckness and the loss OF two Of our chill
dren have SO worn down body and mind that
she is now but a shadow of her former self.
Worst OF all, her nerves are completely
shattered But you must see her. To meet
ar old friend will do her good. VIII you
spend the evening with us!"
| assented, and lhen made further inquiries
about his family ana worldly condition. His
story was not a very bright one. The birth
OF their first child was followed by prostra-
ting sickness, which brought the young
mother to the utmost verge OF death.
"She has never had good health since,"
said Wilkins, in a depressed voice. My in
come was small, and we could not afford the
amount OF househould assistance, in the be
gi mig, that site really required; and 50 every
thing was against her restoration TO sound
health. Children came rapidly, bringing with
them more exhausting cares. And the
death of two our little oors, to which | have
referred, seemed to complete the work of
ruin. Che is now hopeless invalid, poor
week, nervous, unhappy creature, mere
wreck of what you saw ten years ago,
moving, like u fearful ghost, through her dali
Iy round Of duties, aud only kept alive by
the constant and careful attention of ply
sician | doh'. think the doctor has been
out of my house for two weeks at Ii me for
SIX years, and ! am sure has received more
than three hundred pounds Of money in that
tine The fact is what, with doctors bills,
nurses, medicines, and she hundred nameless
| expenses a sick ard hervous wife entails up
On man, my fortunes have been marred.-
They keep me poor"
plain that he had grown impatient under the
| trials to wifi eli tire bad healifT of his wife
| had exposed him.
called at his office agatf towards even
| cg and went home with him. Had met
| AIRS Wilkins in the street, would not have
recognized in her the happy bride, who, ten
years before, blushing in beauty, had seen,
/ giving her hand in lite partnership, with
such loving confidence in the future, 10 the
! husband OF her choice. Her couHtenthee
was wan and wasted, al the beautifully
rounded outlines gone; her -tieaals Sllia-
! ken, were languid, almost to Indifference;
her hair, once richly luxuriant, had fallen
eff, until scarce half OF itremained, and that
looked dry and crisp, with here and there a
premature line of grey. She stopped slight
| ly, and her molions were hieless
A faint smile parted her lips as grasped
her hand with all the warmth of genuine
friendly interest. But it faded almost as
soon as it was born. tried to talk with hel
in cheerful strain, and did succeed ir awak
eninu a brief interest in the olden time
But the present was too painfully real; /
would not permit her thoughts to indulge il
pleasant fancies. l could not help asking
about herself and children; and this turnet
the current of her feelings into It's wonte'
chanuel; and listened to her sad heart-sto
rfes, and painful experiences in sickness, IN
til my owe feelings were deeply shadowed
f | pitird her. Into what world of misery
instead of happiness, had marriage translated
her.
AS she talked I obSerFed tSef hus6afid care
II. To-; bo had hI1t
t sympathy with his wife's state OF feeling
He as sufferer with her, though in iigh
ter degree; and, as his sufeFings originate
in her, there was plainly certain lack {
kindly patience towards his companIun.-
! Several times he interrupted her, trying t
: draw the conversation into another channei
= and once or twice he threw in deprecatin!
! sentences, as if she were exaggerating th
j, unhappy story of her life.
. learned that Mrs. Wilkins rarely, if ever
| went out of her own house. Her dutie
), were very arduous, ,and her ability from Hines
small. Every day she worked TO bodily e.
haustion, and usually in pain. There WI
- no recreation of any kind, bodily or mel
- tai. 1t was living death. No wond'
= she was q dropping, wretched, nervous W.
4 man.
! Next day called to see my friend, havi7
made up my mind to have plain talk wit
- him. referred to his wife, expressing N
earnest sympathy in regard to her.
"Poor Mary!'' he replied; "her case
hopeless, and mine, too, tear.'
ssWhile there's life, there's hope" sa
|, using the physicians half-despaiFing Il!
N ION.
Efe regarded me little curiously.
= "How often do you take her out" inqu
v ed.
;. He shook his head.
~ "Can't afford carriage hire; 'tis as much
:, can do to pay the doctor. No; no, Eeith
of US have time nor money to spend for ri
ing out.''
"Change, and fresh air you will find bt
ter and cheaper medicines than doctor
~ ~ stuff. Do you take her to.the seaside in
'iu summerl'
- - "You are jesting," he replied with the
,"' of one who felt that an undue liberty h
!" been taken.
hy "Far from it my friend" answered Sc
iiS ousIy 81 feel too warm an interest in you
= Jest on subject like this.
ie "A visit to watering-place is luxur,
~, he re marked, sadly.
'us "Do not name them as luxuries in y
case. II the enervated votary of pleas
needs them for recreation, and to impair
mex Zest to the years succeeding round
>" gay existence, how much more essential
'e' they for the sick, the nervous, the exhaus
" toiler in life's field of earnest labor. l fe
'ay my friend, that you have not thought wis
ia os your wife's true position; that, in SO
'e" sense, you are TO blame for her present
Of health and state of mental depression"
'le' 0How2n