Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-06-03

Next day l called to see my friend, hav
ing made up my mind to have plain tall
with him. Ireferred to his wife, express
ing my earnest sympathy in regard to her
"Poor Mary!" he replied; "her case il
hopeless, and mine. too, l fear"
"While there's life, there's hope,'' said |
using the physicians half-despaning axiom
He regarded me little curiously.
"How often do you take her out!'' | in
quired.
He shook his head.
"Can't afford carriage hire; 'tis as mucf
as can do to pay the doctor. No, no
neither OF us have time nor money to spent
for riding out.''
"Change, and fresh air you will find bet
ter and cheaper medicines than doctors
stuff. Do you take her to the seaside il
summer"
"You are jesting," he replied, with the
air Of one who felt that an undue liberty
had been taken.
"Far from it, my friend" answered Sc.
riously, 81 feel too warm an interest in you
to jest on subject like this.
"a visit to watering place is luxury, -
he remarked, sadly.
"Do not name them as luxuries in your
case. If the enervated votary of pleasure
needs them for recre alton, and to impart a
new zest to the years succeeding round ol
gay existence, how much more essential
are they for the sick, the nervous, the ex-
hausted toiler in life's field of earnest la
Dor. fear, my friend, that you have not
thought wisely of your wife's true position
that, In some sense, you are to blame for
her present ill health and state of mental
depression"
"How!"
Wilkins looked surprised.
"The human SOUL" answered, ris not
piece of senseless machinery; not made
up of series of iron wheels that can do
their work as well in the dark underground
chamber as in the broad daylight. Even
the flower must have change air, SUM-
light, morning, evening, and the advancing
seasons, for its healthy growth and matu-
rity. But the human soul is of higher or
ganlzation; and has multitudinous wants
compared with the flower. Shut up the
flower from the warm sun and the refresh
ing air, and will it not grow sicky!--nay,
will it not fade, wither, and del You are
treating your wife with less consideration
than you would treat house plant No
wonder that she is dying daily''
Wilkins really looked amazed, and was
for little while in doubt whether he were
offended at my freedom, or astounded at his
own blindness touching the nature. and
wants of the human soul which he had
Joined in a life companionship with his
own.
"Nature's two best physicians" l went
on, "are pure air and exercise. And, what
is better, they charge nothing for attend
ance."
"To large part of mankind" answered
wilkins, slime is money. 1t is our case"
"Don't make that too positive a conclu-
sion. Increase the strength, and you d.
minish the hours of labor-nay, more, you
remove. the cause of extreme exhaustion-I
My word for it, il you had spent twenty
pounds year in giving your wife change
of scene, sea-bathing, and mental as well
as bodily recreation, your doctors bill
would have been reduced more than that
amount. How often do you take her to
concerts, or other places of innocent amuse-
ment!"
1--WE haven't been to a concert for five
years." said he.
"And yet l remember she was passion
ately fond of music"
"We can't afford it," rem arked Wilkins,
gloomily.
"Better 60 without dinner occasionally.
Health of the soul is quite as essential as
health of the body. II you starve the for
mer, what is there in mere eating and
drinking worth living for!"
"Mary wouldn't 60 if were to purchase
tickets. She has housed herself SO long
that she has no desire to step across the
threshold"
"For which, speaking frankly. and to an
old friend. pou are, in a great me ,sure to
blame. And, unless you at once, and with
purpose not to be set aside by first diff
culties. actually compel your dropping wife
to go forth, few years will close up the
history of wretched lie.'
"Ah!" said he, 81 can feel the force of
what you say! But how and where to be-
gin! That is the question:"
noIce, was my reply, THAT cele-
brated composer and pianist is in your town,
and will this evening give one of his con.
certs. Take her to her to hear him."
"l am sure she will not CO."
81 am going to invite her." said 1; "and
| don't believe she will refuse mes
Wilkins was quite positive.
SWELL see. You will take note of in
vitation from me. | will enclose tickets
for you both. and say that will call in the
evening, and make one of the company at
the concert"
wilkins was incredulous, and half oppo-
sed ne; but my interest in his unhappy
wife was too strong, and resolved to hare
my own way. The tickets and invitations
were accordingly sent.
| called at my friends office, in the after
noon, 10 go home with him.
"Well," said I. cheerfully, "what word
from your good wife! Will she be ready
for the concert?"
"I'm afraid not''
Wilkins shook his head and looked
gloomy.
"What did she say!"
! ''That it was impossible for her to 90
) out-that she couldn't leave the children,
: and, finally after had met every objection
} with reason that could not be gainsaid
n =