Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-09-09
An 1ntrrestin9 5torp.
THE POVERTY CURE.

Mrs. Durand was an invalid. For
many years she had been victim to
complicated and battling disease, which,
for want of better name, was chris
tened by her physicians and friends,
nervous debility"
The slightest excitement or exertion
left her utterly Frustrated and weary,
and every nerve and muscle in her sys-
TEN kept her painfully conscious of their
existence. The luxuries that surrounded
her were only to her realization of the
fable of the cup of Tantalus. True, she
had an elegant carriage, fine horses, and
many servants, but the fatigue of riding
cut was far greater than The pleasure Of
drive, and she rarely attempted it
She had fine library, but books she
had not cared much for; and if she had
loved reading, her eyes we're so weak as
to put that amusement out of the ques-
ton. An extensive and choicely kept
conservatory was part of Mr.. Durand's
establishment, but the odors of the flowers
made his invalid wife faint and sick she
had no taste for fancy work-that busy
idleness which saves SO many women
from ennui. Embroidery, crotchet, knit
ting and noting, she had tried in turn,
and each tired her and made her head
ache. Her three children generally paid
her visit once a day; but it would be
difficult to decide which enjoyed it least,
Or was more pleased to have it over-the
boys or their mother. The children
were glad to escape from the hushed,
gloomy chamber, where every thing that
they did seemed to be out of place and
wrong, so constantly we're they checked
for being boieterous or troublesome /; ard
Mrs. Durand experienced sensation Of
relief when she kissed them all, and saw
them safely marshaled out of the room
by their nurse-for she had comforta-
BILE consciousness that she had done her
duty and that she had seen the last Of
them for one dag at least.
After this morning visit she had no
thing to do but to lean her aching head
YEARLY back on the pillowed easy-chair
until her physicians coming aroused her
from her listlessness for few moments.
This call, and still briefer one from
her husband, just before dinner, were
all that varied the monotony of her life.
Mr.. Durand was a kind man, and rea-
sonably fond Of his wife; he had spared
no pains or expense to restore her to
health he had made no objection to her
trial Of the pathies-allopathy, home-
patty, hydropathy-and had only shrug-
ged his shoulders when, as last resort,
heattng mediums were called to the res
cue. lie had gratified her every within ;
had taken her to every variety of eli
mate; without word of remonstrance
had visited all the Springs far and near,
in search of that health which was no.
where TO be found, until at last, after go
ing round the whole circle of remedies
in vain, it had been Mrs. Durand's own
proposal to remain at home under the
care of her own family physician.
Meanwhile, as his wife's malady,
though incurable, seemed not at all like
ly to prove fatal, Mr.. Durand's anxiety,
which at first had been extreme, died
away. 1t grew to be matter Of course
that Maria should be sick, and his daily
call and this stereotyped dialogue became
equally habitual:
Well, how do you feel to-day, Ma
ria p
"No better'-with a sigh. my
head is as bad as ever"
Sorry to hear it,"
A pause-then glance at his watch.
at is now dinner time. Good night,
Maria. wish you could sit at table
with me-"
This conversation, almost without
variation, had been repeated day after