Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-03-02
Iaoies' 9rpa rtmtn.
Mrs. NJ. z. GoRMAN, Editress.
The Wife's Trials.

Few men who are immersed in the cares ]
and pcrplexitics Of business, are sufficiently
of household affairs, to appreciate
the peculiar trials and difficulties wife meets
with in the discharge Of her domestic respon-
sibilities. The husband very naturally feels
waves Of dificulty-his arm is barred to the
strife Of life-his bosom has to feel the shock
Of adverse and oppressive dscouragements.-
But wife, who sits down at home enjoying
the quiet Of the fireside, whether nursing her
children, d%cvising plans to be executed by
her servants, or receiving visitors, or out re-
turning calls, shopping, and such like, has an
easy time Of ia perfect paradise, compared
with the ever fretful turmoil Of a business
life. lie has to provide for all the thousand
wants as well as the whims and fancies of his
family, while wife only has 10 order a break
fast, dinner and supper to be ready when her
leigc lord arrives. Hence, while the storm
RACES around him, he dreams only of perpetu-
al sunshine at home.
What is the consequence? When he re-
turns from IFS business to his meals, he ex-
pccf, "othing but the sweet smiles of his wife,
@ne innocent prattle of his children, and al
ways words Of gladness and enconrn~~~--
But if instead. tho 49," ~"uiy aiiudes 10 the
worn condition of hers or the children's ward
robe, the lack of supplies in the larder, the
peculiar waywardness of her children, or the
frettings of a fevcred boy, or speaks a little
sharply of the disobedience or Incidence of
servants or if she is oppressed with fatigue
or worn out with nursing or impertinent do
mcstics, and looks a little sad or a slight MUIR
mur escapes her lips, if he be a devoted, kind
husband, he looks at her with surprise, sug-
gests that there has been some waste, or init
mates If she had his trials she might we'll look
sad, or laughs kindly at her and tells her she
does not know what trouble is. And on his
return to business, he is all along wondering
what wife can have to make her sad.
But if, as is too often the case, the husband
Is quick or Surly, how often is she upbraided
with harshness for her complainingX, and told
that she is u w~asteful, dissatisfied, unhappy
mortal, and has an easy time oft. Frequent
ly these are the beginnings of a strife which
is carried on until love and confidence are de.
stroyed, and peace and quiet flee from the
domici of n once happy family. And all fol
what? Simply because men will not troubl,
themselves to consider or investigate the pc
culiar trials of y wife.
And pray, what task can he more perpley
ing and trying, even to the strength of man
hood, than the watch-care of healthy, romp
ing, headstrong children? What so opprcs
sive and wearing, both to body and soul, q
the ever constant watchings of a mother owe
the cradle of a sick infant? What so harra,
sing to neat, stirring, spirited wife as tn
sluttish iilthiness or the Incidence or impe
Thence of servants, who taking advantage
her feebleness and the absence of the maste
fret and worry, even to madness. This alon
is enough, when the husband is either so il
dulgent or so overcome by the cares of bus
ness, no to be indifferent to their conduct,
convert into a bedlam the most happy hous
hold. Added to these, there are thousands
uncomfortable hardships which men cou
never bear, that fall to the lot of many a wi
Nor do husbands seem to remember, tn
with all Of the wife's perplexities at hon
few Of which he can help her to bear, she
partner in all his difficulties and a sharer
all his woes. Though he studiously refrai
from q disclosure of his business trials,
she reads them in his eyes, sees them in
- ----"nd feels them in his for
laugh. His very step .0--uL-..I. =,
gush of anxiety to her heart, teaching
that all is not well.
How important then is it, since God
made them one, aud the necessity of the c
obliges them to be 50, that there should be
conccalmcnts, no hiding from each other,
pleasures or the ills Of their position,
that they should study to know each otl
peculiar responsibilities, in order that t
may share alike and bear each others burd