The Van Buren press., 1859-12-09
.ga9ggisrellallpp.
THE YOUNG WIFE,
OR
The Shadows We Cast.
LESSON For H-sBANDs.

A young wife had bus;el herself for ma
ny days IN preparing pleasant surprise
| for her husband: The work was finished
at last, and now she awaited his return
with heart full of warm emotions. A
dressing gown, and par of elegantly en-
broiderel slippers, wrought by her own
skillful fingers, wer gifts with which she
meant to delight him. What a troop of
pleasant fances was in l. heart, How,
almost impatiently, did she wait for the
coming of twilight, whic. was to be dawn,
not approaching darkness, to her.
| At last she heard the tep of her hus-
band in the passage, and aer pulse leaped
with flutterinS delight. Like a bird upon
the wing, she almost flew down to meet
him, impatient for the saiution that await
ed her.
To men in the world of business, few
days pass without their disarpointments
and perplexities. It's mans business to
bear these in manly spirit. They form
but portion of life's discipline, shall
and should make them stronger, Drawer,
and more enduring. UAgwisely, and we
may say unjustly, too. nsay men fail to
leave their troubles in the,r work shops or
counting houses. at the day. decline. They
wrap them in bundles, and carry them
home to shadow their hor sei,olds.
1t was so with the yo ng husband on
this particular oecasiasa..1' i sc si.eani Of
business had taken an eddying whirl, and
| thrown has vessel backward, instead Of on
ward, for a brief space, and though it was
still in the current and gliding safely on
ward again, the jar and disappointment
had fretted his mind severely. There was
no heart warmth in the kiss he gave his
wife, not because love had failed in any de-
gree, but because he had let care overshad-
ow love. He drew his arm around her !;
but she was conscious OF diminished
pressure in that embracing arm.
| Are you we'll p she inquired.
Very WELL he replied
| He mi ght be in body, but not in mind,
| that was plain, for his voice was far from
being cheerful.
She played and sang his favorite pieces,
hoping to restore by the charms &c music,
brightness to his spirit. But ske was con
scious of only impartial SUCCESS There
was still gravity in his manner, never
perceived before. At tea time she smiled
upon him so sweetly across the table, and
talked to him upon such attractive themes,
!
countenance, and he looked as happy as she
could desiss.
After tea was over, the young wife judg-
cd the proper time had come for offering
the gift. and receiving the coveted reward
of glad surprise. followed by sweet and low
ing words. Was she selfisl g? Did she
think more of her reward than the pleas
ure she would bestow But !lat is ques-
tioning too closely.
Il will be back in momert,' she said !;
and passing from the room, she vent light
ly up the stairs.
Both tone and manner betrayed her Sc
cret, or rather the possession of secret
with which her husband was to be surEris-
ed. Scarcely had her loving face faded
from before his eyes, v hen thought return
ed, with single bound ss the unpleasant
events of the dag and tae waters of his
life were again troubled. he had actually
arisen and crossed the foer once or twice in
a restless concern, when his wife came back
with the dressing gown aud slippers. She
was trying to force herself into grave ex-
preston to hold back the smiles that were
continually striving to break the truant cir
cles around her lips, which single glance
at her husbands face told her that the spir-
it, driven away by the exorcism Of her love
had returned again to his bosom. He look
ed at her soberiy, as she came forward.
What are these?' he asked, almost cold
ly, repressing surprise and affecting igno-
rance that he did not feel in regard to the
beautiful present she held in her hands
They are for you, DEAR was TIE reply.
8 1 made them
For me y he exclaimed, nonsense
what do l want with such jimcraekery p
This is woman's wear. Do You think ]
would disfgure my feet with embroidered
slippers, or dress up in that gown? Put
them away, dear Your husband is toe
much of a man to robe himself in gay col
ors, like a clown or an actor And he
waved his hand with an air of contempt
There was a cold, sneering manner about
him partly effected, and partly the effect OF
his uncomfortable state of mind. Yet he
loved his sweet wife, and would not, of sci
purpose have wounded her for the world
:, This unexpected repulse, this cruel re-
ception of her present, over which she had
wrought patiently, in golden hope, for ma
ny days, this dashing to the earth of hel
brimful emp Of joy, just as it touched hel
lips was more than the fond young wifi,
could bear To hide the tears that can,
rushing TO her eyes. she turned away from
her husband, and to conceal the sobs sht