Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1858-06-03

of one who felt that an undue liberty had been

of one who felt that an undue liberty had beef
taken.
" Far from it, my friend" I answered seri
ously, !" L feel too warm an interest in you t.
jest on subject like this"
p" A visit to watering-place is luxury,
he remarked sadly.
Do not name them as Injuries in your case
Ii the enervated votary of pleasure needs them
for recreation, and to impart new zest te
the years succeeding round of gay existence
how much more essential are they for the sick
the nervous, the exhausted toiler in life's field
of earnest labor. / fear my friend, that yor
have not thought wisely of your wife's true
position +; that, in some sense, you are to blame
for her present i'll health and state of menta
depression"
| How p
Wilkins looked surprised
"The human SOUL" I answered, {" is not q
! piece of senseless machinery not made up Of
,, a series of iron wheels that can do their work
as wellin the dark underground chamber as III
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 multtudiaous
wants compared with the flower. Shut up the
| flower from the warm sun and the refreshing
| air, and will it not grow sicky ?-pay, will it
not fade wither, and die +? You are treating
your wife with less consideration than you
would treat a house plant. No wonder that
she is dying daily
Wilkins really looked amazed, and I was for
u.b;l, IN u,ha ho nd
ed at my freedom, or astounded at his own
blindness touching the nature and wants of the
human soul which he had joined, in a life COM
panionship with his own.
Natures two best physicians" went on,
are pure air and exercise. And, what is
better, they charge nothing for attendance"
"To large part Of mankind" answered
Wilkins, time is money. 1t is our case"
Don't make that too positive conclusion
Increase the strength, and you diminish the
hours of labor-nay, more, you remoye from
the cause Of extreme exhaustion. My word
for it, if you had spent twenty pounds year
in giving your wife change of scene, sea-batl-
ing, 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 ?"
awe haven't been to concert for FIVE
years." said he.
:" And yet remember she was passionately
fond of music
1--WE can't afford it," remarked Wilkins,
gloomiIy.
+" Better go without dinner occasionally
Health of the soul is quite as essential as
health of the body. If you starye the former,
what is there in mere eating and drinking worth
living for ?"
MARY wouldn't go if were to purchase
tickets. She has housed herself so long that
she has no desire to step across the threshold"
/" For which, speaking frankly, and to an
old friend, you are, in great measure, to
blame. And, unless you at once, and with a
purpose not be set aside by first difficulties, &C.
tually compel your dropping wife to go FORTH a
few years will close up the history Of wretch
ed life"
"Ah !" said he, can feel the force of
what you say But how and where to begin?
That is the question"
Il notice." was my reply, that celebrat-
ed composer and pianist is in your town, and
will give this evening one of his concerts Take
her to hear him."
La SutC oilC Will iot ~
II am going to invite her." said and
I doat believe she will refuse me-"
wilkins was quite positive.
"We'H see. You will take a note of iuyi-
tation from me | will enclose tickets for you
both, and say that l will call In the evening,
and make one of the company at the concert p
Wilkins was incredulous, and half opposed
me but my interest in his unhappy wife was
too strong, and l resolved to have my own
way. The tickets aud invitation were accord
ingly sent.
called at my friends Office, in the after.
noon, to go home with him.
"Well," said I, cheerfully, "what word
from your good wife Will she be ready for
the concert! I"
g Tm afraid not"
Wilsinssshook his head and looked gloomy
What did she say 7"
That it was impossible for her to go ont
that she conld'nt leave the children, and, final
| ~, after had met every objection with a rea-
| son that could not be gaihsaid, she declared
that she didn't feel q wish to go, and couldn't
think of it." -
The ice is very solid, and hard to break
through" ] smiled as I spoke. g 1t is that
want Of inclination which must be overcome =
She'll 60 if we Insist upon it,
But Wilkins was of u different opinion.
know her a great deal better than you
do" was his answer.
went home with him. There was change
in Mrs. wilkins; glance revealed this. The
languor and exhaustion, SO painfully apparent
on the previous evening. were scarcely wish e.
Her eyes were brighter, her countenauce more
elevated, her lips had, frmer outline ! saw
that some attention had been given to her
dress and, though not in the concert trim, Il
was plain enough chat it would net take her 9
very great while to be in presentable condition
| Wilkins was in error. His wife did go Is
the concerts ard surprised both him and her
self by the amount Of pleasure she received
from the exquisite Performance Indeed. sht
expressed her satisfaction in lively terms, and