Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-07-29
From the National Era.l
The Wifc's Mistake.

band sat. wholly absorbed in poring
over day-books and lcdgcrs.
"rhosc tircsomc accounts still -
she exclaimed. "Will you never find
time for any thing but business, Ralph?
Have You no taste for any thing be-
yond fgurcs?"
Margaret" but the sadness in the
tone was unheedcd. as she continued
1--WE had charming evening at
Mrs. Cs. Capt. Hill related many
interesting incidents Of his residence
in Egypt. and Mr.. Warren. the famous
young poet. read Maud" and some
Of the most beautiful passages in eau
rora Leigh" | must read you some
Of Romney's Great Thoughts on
Duty"
She went hastily to her chamber for
the volume. When she returned, her
quiet entrance was unhcard by her
husband, whose pen was rapidly NOV
ing over the almost intcrminable col.
umns of figures. With an expression
of impatience, 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. "Hc has a taste
for drudgery. His pursuits and tastes
are all commonplace, and / must go
from home to find the sympathy !
need, to find those who will appreciate
with me the books / love, and the
beautiful in art for which he has nei
thcr eye nor ear. Why did he not
marry a woman who had neither heart
nor mind to be continually dissat.
isfed?"
In the room she had left, Ralph
Hale sat hour after hour, until his
brain was weary, and his eye lids
dropped. Then, laying aside his
books, he remained long time in deef
thought. God bless M Margaret,
he prayed. land give me strength tC
bear all things. Give me power to
make her happy
Putting away all thoughts of hcl
husbands real nobleness of character
jcalouSly preserving the memory o
every slight difference in their tastes
and pursuits, Margaret cherished tho
spirit of discomfort till it embittered
every hour of her life. and sent suffer
Ing she never dreamed Of to the hear
of her husband, who would gladly
have sacrificed every earthly good fol
her happiness.
n sudden and severe sickness came
to her, while Ralph was in distant
city. One day. during her slow re-
covcry. the aged minister, who haC
baptized her in her infancy, was sitting
by her side.
Margaret, he said, after steadfast
ly watching her troubled face, "yor
are very unhappy. have seen it {
long time. l should not recognize il
you my once cheerful, happy child
May l know what great sorrow Ia:
come to you?"
Then, with sobs and tears she told
him all her unhappiness.
After a long silence the old man
spoke again, and there was a sadness
almost amounting to sternncss in his
voice.
Years ago, Margaret, wealthy
New York merchant became involved
in speculation. whose failure sudden
" took from him the accumulated
wealth of his years of commercial en-
tcrprise There were few years oil
weary, vain struggling to regain what
he had lost; then deep despondency, a
lingering disease, and death. His
wife and four children were left penni-
less. The child, boy of sixteen, had
finished his preparatory studies, and
was about to enter college. BY this
stroke, lie found his prospects for the
future clouded; but with noble self
forgetfulness, he turned cheerfully into
the way marked out for him, and
walked resolutcly in it.
He obtained a situation with a
merchant who had known his father,
where his faithfulness and untiring de-
votion to his duties, won the conf
dencc of all who knew him. During
the first years of her widowhood, his
mother had taught private school foi
young ladies; AMI it was the boy.
highest ambition to relieve her of this
necessity, and to give her the rest hel
feeble health required. ! can not tel
you all his priyations, his willing sac
rifce Of every recreation, his continued
scli-denial, that he might Tighten the
burdens of those SO dear to him.
Year after year, success crowned bis
efforts, In the village where his mo-
ther had passed the years Of her child
hood and the first years Of her married