Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-06-03

1
change in Mrs. Wilkins; glance reveale,
this. The languor and exhaustion, 81
painfully apparent on the previous evening
were scarcely visible. Her eyes were
brighter, her countenance more elevated
her lips had firmer outline. | saw thai
some attention had been given to herdress
and, although not in the concerts frim, il
was plain enough that it would not take
her very great while to be in presentable le
condition.
Wilkins was in error. III is wife did go
to the concert, and surprised both him aIC
herself by the amount of pleasure she re.
ceiyed from the exquisite performance. =
Indeed, she expressed her satisfaction in
lively terms, and with glowing face, in
the intervals OF many of the pieces.
"How is Mrs. Wilkins!" | asked of nv
friend, as entered his place of business
on the next day.
"Better than for many months, | am
pleased to say" was his answer. "She
seemed, this morning, almost another wo-
man. That music was like an elixir to
to her soul.''
81 had faith in it," said I. "Depend upon
it, Wilkins, you have been consenting to
your wife's death by murder and suicide
murder on your part and suicide on hers.
My next recommendation is the seaside
Give up your business for week; take
your wife to some watering-place immedi-
ateiy. Sea air, sea bathing, and sight of
old ocean will put new life into her veins. -
"She can't possibly leave home. We
have too many young children"
"She'll have to leave home, and her
young children, too, forever, if you don't
do something TO save her." l spoke with
some feeling, for | was little provoked at
my friends inclination to throw difficulties
in the way. "Just make up your mind that
the thing has to be done, and I'll answer
for your wife. The fact is, it's nv opinion
that she'll say yes on the first PROPOSE
tion."
And so he did. A little management was
practiced. | accepted another invitation
to tea, and during the evening, gave as
graphic description as was in nv power.
OF the novelty, excitement and wonderfully
beneficial effects of week at the seashore
My own experience was quite to the point,
having regained strength almost by magic
after long period of extreme nervous ex-
haustioD.
"You must take your wife to the seaside.
1t is just what she wants." said |, after the
way had been fully prepared.
wilkins followed up with such hearty
acqulescence that the point was carried
under scarcely an appearance of objection.
Difhcultles were, Of course, suggested; out
these were pronounced of such slender i'm
portance that they were waived almost as
soon as presented. Two days afterwards
had the setisfaction OF seeing them off. =
As shook hands with them at parting, |
could see in the countenance of Mrs. Will
kins, some reviving traces OF her old girlish
beauty; and rekindling IN her eyes of the
light of other days
A year afterwards, made it my business
to visit my old acquaintance. He received
me with warmth of manner and cheerful
ness of spirit which satisfied me that his
state of mind had considerably improved.
''How is Mrs. Wilkins!" | Immediately
inquired.
A broad smile went over his face as he
replied:
"A thousand times better than when you
saw her year ago."
81 am delighted to hear you say so. How
did the seaside prescription answer!"
"Admirably. 1t worked like charm Il
Mary came back another woman 1t was
to her almost like discovering the fountain
Of eternal youth. | never saw such a !
change in any one.''
"Did'nt she fall back into the old habits
Of mind and body, after her return to the
city!"
"No."
"How did you prevent this!" inquired.
"By acting on the hint you gave, | hired
a carriage for an excursion, once a week, |
While the pleasant weather lasted, and i: |
cost me few shillings each time; but it |
was cheaper than paying the doctor, and
the medicine cured more radically. You
can't imagine what change in her feelings
took place. Nothing outside of the mar
row circle of home interested her before;
thought seemed asleep, or palsied; but now
she takes an interest in everyth ing"
''Was it not starved into more than in
fantile weakness!" | inquired.
"Perhaps so," he said, thoughtfully.-l
'The mind must have its appropriate food,
as well as the body.''
"Nothing is truer than that" | replied.
~ 'iir0r rtTv pUuy' II IrIusI nave ire al
terations of shade and sunshine, fresh air
and exercise. 1t must have change and
recreation, as well as seasons of labor
Without these, mental health is impossible;
and, without mental health, there can be
no true bodily hea lth."
Husbands, l fear, are not thoughtful
enough about their wives, in this partica
lar. am very certain, if every toiling
housekeeper, and worn down, exhausted
mother, whose pale face is hardly eveI
seen beyond the portals of her own door,
were forced abroad occasionally into the
social world, if they would not 20 willingly,
and taken yearly to the seaside for a few
weeks, that hundreds and thousands of
wives and mothers, who are now siekly,
nervous, and unhappy, would be in the en-
joyment of good health and cheerful spirits,
giving light TO their homes and happiness
to the hearts of their husbands.
Try the prescription, ye men with sicky,
toiling, exhausted wives, whose pale faces
haunt your homes like ghosts of former
blessings. Pity them wisely, and hold
them back, while you may. from the low