The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-08-17
THE wIFE's MISTAKE.

The carriage stopped at the door, and
in few minutes Margaret Hale entered
the apartment where her husband sat
wholly absorbed pouring over day-books
and ledgers. aThese tiresome accounts
STILL" she exclaimed, "will you never find
time for anything but business, Ralph
Have you no taste for anything but fig
uresp
Margaret?' but the sadness of the
tone was unheeded, as she continued -
Z" We had such charming evening at
Mrs. C--'s. 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 'lAuroro
Leigh l must read TO 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 unheard by her husband,
whose pen was rapidly moving over the
almost interminable columns of figures.
With an expression of impaticnce, almost
scorn, on her face, she hurried away.
"And this is the end of all my dreams
of marriage" she said as she reached her
room. "He has taste for drudgery.-
His pursuits and tastes are all common
place, and must go from home for the
sympathy l need, to find those who can
appreciate with me the books l love, and
the beautiful in art for which he has no
eye nor ear. Why did he not marry a
woman who had neither heart nor mind
TO be continually unsatisfed? 7" es-e
In the room she had left, Ralph Hale
sat hour after hour till his brain was wea-
ry and eyelids dropped. Then, laying
aside his books, he remained a long time
in deep thought. $500.
" God bless my Margaret" he prayed
{. and give me strength to bear all things
Give me power to make her happy"
Putting away all thought of her hus.
bands real nobleness of character, jeal
ously preserving the memory of every
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 have sacrificed every earthly
good for her happiness.
a sudden and severe illness came to hel
while Ralph was in distant city. One
day, during her slow recovery, the agec
minister, who had baptized her in infancy
was sitting by her side.
Margaret" he said, after steadfastly
watching her face, "you are unhappy
| have seen it long time. ! should no
recognize in you my once cheerful, happy
child. May not know what great sor
row has come to you?" an
Then with tears and sobs she told hin
all her unhappiness.
After short silence the old man spok
again and there was sadness, almost bit
terness in his voice: Years ago, Mar
garet, a wealthy New York merchant be
came involved in speculation, whose fail
ure suddenly took from him the accumu
lated wealth of his years Of commercia
enterprise. There were few years. Q
weary, vain struggling to regain what b
had lost; then deep despondency, q lin
Igering disease and death. His wife AM
four children were left penniless. Th
eldest child, a boy Of sixteen, had finishe
his preparatory studies, and was about I
enter college. BY this stroke he fouu
his prospects for the future clouded, bu
With q noble self-forgetfulness, he turne
into the way marked out for him, an
walked resolutely in it,"
"He obtained situation with mel
chant who had known his father, wher
his faithfulness and uutiring devotion !
his duties won the confidence of all VIII