Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-02-03
THE DYING WIFE.
BY D. G, MITCHELL

That wife over whom your love broods is
fading. Her beauty fading now that your
heart is wrapped up in her being, would be
nothing.
She sees with quick eye your dawning ap-
prehension, and she tries hard to make that
step of hers elastic
Your trials and your loves together have
centered your affections. They are not
now as when you We're lone man, wide
spread and superficial They have caught
from domestic attachment finer tone and
touch They can shoot out tendrils into
barren world-soil and suck up thence
Strengthening nutriment. They have grown
under the forcing glass and the home roof,
they will not now bear the exposure.
You do not look men in the face as if a
heart-bond was linking you-as if COM
munity of feeling lay between. There is a
heart-bond that absolves all other; there is
a community that monopolizes your feeling.
/ When the heart lay vide open, before it
had grown up and closed around particular
objects, it could take strength and cheer
from hundred connexions that seem now
colder than ice.
And now those particular objects ts-alas
for you ARE failing.
What axiety pursues you! How you
struggle to fancy there is no danger.
How it CRATES now on our ear-the toll
and turmoil Of city. It was music when
you were alone; it was pleasant even when
from the din yo1 were celebrating comforts
for the cherished obiects-when you had
such sweet escapes when evening drew
near.
How it maddens you to see the world
careless while you are stepped in care. They
hustle you in the street they smile at you
across the table; they bow carelessly acros:
the way they do not know what cankel
is at your heart.
The undertaken comes with his bill fo
the dead boys funeral. He knows you
grief; he is respectful. You bless him il
your soul. Y GU wish the laughing street
goers were all undertakers.
Your eye follows the physician as b
leaves your house; is he wise? you asl
yourself Is he prudent is he the best
Did he never fail? Is he ever forgetful!
You are early at home---mid-aftel
noon. Your step is not light it is heavy
terrible.
They have sent for you.
She is lying down; her eyes half closed
her breathing long and interrupted.
She hears You; her eyes are open; yo
put your hand in hers; yours tremble- he
does not Her lips move; it is your nam
"Be strong" she says, "God will hel
you."-
She presses harderyour hand. "Adieu
A long breath-another; you are alor
again. No tears now poor man Yc
cannot find them
Again, home early. There is smell
varnish in your house. A coffin is ther
they have clothed the body in decent gray
/ clothes, and the undertaken is screwiI
down the lid, slipping around on tiptoe.
: Does he fear to waken her?
: He asks you single question about t
: inscription upon the plate, rubbing it wi
E his coat-cuff You look him straight
: the eye you motion to the door, you da
: not speak.
He takes his hat, and glides out stealt
Z ily ike a cat.
e The man has done his work well for
that. It is nice coffiin-av very nice coff
Pass your hand over it-how smooth
Some sprigs Of mignonnette are lyi
o carelessly in little gilt-edged saucer. S
I loved mignonnette.
y 1t is a good staunch table that the c
i. fin rest ont is your table; you ar
lie housekeeper-a man of family
y Aye; of family, keep down outcry or
re nurse viii be in. Look over at the pin
at ed features, tbs all that is left of her.
ii And where is your heart now Now dc
A press your hand nor mingle your lips
g CRATE your teeth together. If you co
tn only weep
gs Another day. The coffin is gone out
n The stupid mourners have wept-what
ce tears! She, with yonr crushed heart,
ny gone.
le- Will yon have pleasant evenings at J
re- home now
0. Go into your p:.rlor that yourprim ho