Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1858-05-28
5turu-Grllrr.
rue NERVOUS WIFE CURED.

Ny friend Wilkins married sweet
young girl, ,ofa quiet, amiable disposition
bu. in no way skilled in those domestic
arts without, a knowledge Of which a
wifc's duties are always fel: to be hard
in the beginning. He was the envy Of
more than one who had aspired to the
possession of her hand. | knew him TO
be industrious, intelligent and kinl-hear-
ted and felt sure that he had taken a
life-companion who would be faithful and
loving. The promise was bright enough
to warrant prophecy of more that oriin-
ary happiness.
They removed to another town, Ten
years afterwards, in passing through that
town, called upon Wilkins, who met
me with the old, frank cordiality. Eyes
and face were in glow Of pleasure, when
still srasping his hand, inquired after
his wife. His countcnance changed in.
stantiy.
"poor Mary - ho said. in sad,
disco ura ed way. "She has no health
"I'm sorry,' was my natural response.
sickness and. the loss Of two OF our
children have SO worn down body and
mind that she is now but shadow OF her
former self. Worst Of all. her nerves
are completely shattered. But You must
see her. To meet an old friend will do
her good. viii You spend the evening
with US q
assentcd, and then made further in
auiries about his family and worldly
condition. His story was not very
bri.h, one. The birth of their first
child was followed by a prostrating sick
ness, which brought the y ung mother to
the utmost verge OF death.
She has never had good health since,
said Wilkins,in depressed voice. My
income was small, and W, could not
afford the amount OF household assistance
in the beginning. that she really requir-
ed; and so everything was against her
restoration to sound health. Children
came rapidly, bringing with them more
exhausting cares. And the death OF two
of our little ones. to which | have re-
ferrcd, seemed to complete the work OF
ruin. She is now hopeless invalid. a
poor, weak, nervous, unhappy creature.
mere wreck Of what you saw ten years
ago, moving,likc a fearful ghost, through
her daily round Of duties, and only kept
alive by the constant and careful atten-
ton of physician. l don't think the
doctor, has been out of my house for
two weeks at ime for six years, and
am sure has received more that three
hundred pounds of my money in that
time. The fact is. what with doctor
bills, nurses, medicines. and the hundred
nameless expenses a sick and nervous
vile entails upon man, my fortunes
have beea marred. They keep me poor
Wilkins spoke in trettul voice. 1t
was plain that he had grown impatient
under the trials to which the bad health
of his wife had exposed him.
l called at his Office again towards
evening, and went home with him.
Had | met Mrs. Wilkins in the street. l
would not have recognised in her the
happy bride who, ton years before
blushing in beauty, | had seen giving
her hand in life partnership. with such
loving confidence in the future, to the
husband of her choice. Her countenance
was wan and wasted, all the beautifully
rounded outlines gone; her eyes deeply
sunken, were languid almost to inditter-
ence; her hair, once richly luxuriant, had
fallen off, until scarce half of it remained
and that looked dry aud crisp, with here
and there premature line of grey
She stopped slightly, and her motions
were lifeless.
A faint smile parted her lips as !
grasped her hand with all the warmth Of
a genuine friendly interest. But it faded
almost as soon as it was born. l tried
to talk with her in cheerful strain, and
did succeed in awakening brief interest
in the olden time. But the present
was too painfully real ; it would not
permit her thoughts to indulge in pleas
ant fancies. l could not help asking
about herself and her children; and
this turned the current of her feelings
into its wontcd channel ; and listened
to her sad heart-stories, and painful
experiences in sickness, until my own
feelings were deeply shadowed. | pitied
her. What sombre, suffering life had
been hers Into what world of misery
instead of happiness, had marriage trans
lated her.