The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-08-04
MISCELLANEOUS.
The Wife's Mistake.
ny GRET MARION.

such cases are, and such an example may
be profitable. But let me tell tale on
the other side.
My friend Merle Vernon was bright
attractive girl, well educated and inteli-
gent, and as good as she was intelligent.
She married according to her choice. |
might, if | had the power, and were in
clined for romance, instead of straight
forward story, tell of the first meeting, and
the first impressions, and the mutual at
fractions, and the conclusion to which she
and Henry Dale were ilresistably drawn.
that they were made for each other, and
could not by any possibility 60 through
life except together. | saw them when
they met, twice accidentally, and to him
Unexpectedly, and / built a whole romance
on his start and blnsh of pleasure, and his
animated greeting | wish could have
seen the same thing ten years later) Well,
time went on they were married, and
every one argued the most sunny life for
them. Both well educated, cultivated and
with similarity in taste, even their relig-
ious feelings in harmony; on one point
only was there any difference. His early
life had been hard discipline, and he
had never known the charm Of pleasant
home and social intercourse.
1t is desirable in married life, in order
to perfect harmony. that the education and
habits of life of each should have been
similar.
Well, as l said, they were married, the
wedding journey was over, the wedding
visits received and paid, and then Henry
threw himself back into his profession,
with tho more zeal for the time he had
lost. His 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 knotted
his brow over knotty cases.
She had expected some sympathy in
her pursuits also; not much time given to
her, but some help now and then, advice
as to reading, refreshing discussions on
topics Of interest. Evening after evening,
week after week, she watched and waited
but there was always something of more
Importance, or very often engagements out
in which she could not share There were
always the best reasons in the world no
one could question his propriety, but there
were always 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
"next year, Henry says, he will not work
so hard he will have more time"
smiled inwardly at her woman's faith,
and said to myself, "next year. land next
year, my dear child will never come"
You can break few threads easily, but
let me wind around you the habits Of
many years. Il wear yards,) and it will
take more strength than you have to break
them.
Henry grew renowned in his profession
made himself famous but he paid dearly
for his renown. Years gathered on his
head they had position eminence, wealth
but no home. He was much engrossed
and, gradually, even his wife was in hi.
way when he was reading and writing
So they spent their time asunder.
They gradually withdrew from socia
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 submit
ted to the interruption with very baC
grace, she gave up even that. The fac
is, that, like many another, hemistook tn,
means for the end, and made that whicl
should have been the means of supplying
his wants, the aim and object of life.
While Merle was still nursing the de
lusive hope of the next year." his lock-
whitencd with his tolls, and the silvel
threads grew more and more plentiful
among her dark locks.
By that time she had almost learned tc
live alone, and it had been wise had sh,
learned the lesson earlier l heard frienC
say one day, in her hearing, " l don't be
lieve in polygamy, manwhois weddeC
to his profession ought not to take any
other wife" Merle looked as if she un
derstood it
| rs Rut not a Wofd She snake i4l