True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-06-16
FROM THE NATIONAL ERA.
The Wife's Mistake.

The carriage stopped at the door, and
in a few minutes, Margaret Hale entered
the apartment, where her husband sat,
wholly absorbed in pouring over day.
books and ledgers. ..
These tiresome accounts still - she
exclaimed. "Will you ever find time for
anything but business, Ralph Have
You no taste for any thing beyond 6gures!"
"Margaret!" bnt the sadness in the
tone was unheeded, as she continued
1--WE had such charming evening a,
Mrs. C.'s. Capt Hill related many in
teresting incidents of his residence in
Egypt, and Mr.. Warren, the famous
young poet, read "Maud," and some of
the most delightful passages in "Aurora
Leigh" / must read to you some of
Romney's "Great Thoughts on Duty"
She went hastily 10 her chamber for
the volume. When she returned, her
quiet entrance was unheard by her hus
band, whose pen was rapidly moving
over the almost interminable columns Of
figures. With an expression of impa-
tience, almost Of scorn, resting on her
face. she hastily turned away.
"And this is the end Of all my dreams
of marriage" said she, as she reached
her room. "He has a taste for drudgery
His pursuits are all common place, and ]
must 60 from home to find the sympathy
| need, to find those who will appreciate,
with me, books I love, and the beautiful
in art, for which he has neither eye mol
ear. Why did he not marry woman
who had neither heart nor mind to be
continually unsa,is6ed 7"
| In the room she had left, Ralph Hale
sat. hour after hour, ill his brain wa'
weary, and his eyelids dropped. Then
laying aside his books, he remained
long time in deep thought. u
"God bless my Margaret, he prayed
"and give me strength TO bear all things
Give me power to make her happy"
Putting far away all thought of her
huaband's real nobleness Of character,
|jealously preserving the memory ofevery
slight difference in their tastes and pur.
suits, Margaret cherished the spirit Of
discomfort, till it embittered every hour
OF her life, and sent suffering she never
dreamed Of to the heart of her husband
who would gladly have sacrificed every
earthly good for her happiness. ,.
A sudden and severe sickness came to
her, while Ralph was in distant city.
One day during her slow recovery, the
aged minister, who had baptsed her in
infancy, was sitting by her side.
/ Margaret" he said, after steadfastly
watching her troubled face, "you are
very unhappy. I have seen it long
time, | should not recognize in you my
once cheerful, happy child. Nay l know
wha. great sorrow has come to YOU"
Then, with sobs and tears, she told
him all her unhappiness.
After short silence the old man spoke
again, and there vas sadness, almos
sternress in his voice. .
Years ago, Margaret, wealthy New
| York merchant became involved in 9
speculation, whose failure suddenly tool
from him the accumulated wealth of his
years Of commercial enterprise. There
were few years of weary, vain strug
Cling to regain what he had lost; ther
deep despondeucy, lingering disease
and death. HIS wife and four childrel
were left penniless. The child. boy o
sixteen, had finished his preparatory
studies, and was about to enter college
By this stroke, he found his prospects
for the future clouded; but with nobl,
self'forgetfulness, he turned cheerful,
J into the way marked out for him, ant
walked resolutely in it.
He obtained situation with a mer
chant who had known his father, wher,
his faithfulness and untiring devotion tt
his duties, won the confidence of all wh,
knew him. During the first years Of he
; widowhood. his mother had taught a pri
vate school for young. ladies, and il wa
the boys highest ambition to relieve he
of this necessity, and give her The res
her feeble health required. cannot tel
you all bis privations, his willingness sac
ri6ce of every recreation, his continue,
self-denial, that he might tighten the bur
dens Of those so dear to him. ''
Year after year, success crowned hi
efforts. In the village where his moshe
had passed the years Of her childhoo,
, and the first years Of her married life, b
purchased a pleasant residence for her
and then a lucrative business beginning
to rise in the West, he came here. .suai
AT the time of his removal here, acci
dent revealed to him the fact, that tn
f widow and invalid daughter Of ono who's
. fortune was, by his fathers advice, riske
in that unfortunate speculation which ha
} so changed his own life, were living i
/, extreme poverty. To him they are in
debted for the pleasant home that no,
J shelters them, and for the delicate tho
ful ministration to their daily comfort.
J Now, when the commercial world
clouded, and disasters crowd thick an
fast upon him as upon others; his anxiou
| thoughts turn to the mother and suiferin
sister, in tho little village home, who's