Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-01-07
THE ROSE AND THE NETTLE.

L II IA 1lNoAI A1N IN LIN.
In the country somewhere in the worId-no
matter where-at the North Pole, probably, or
may be at the South-or perchance between the
two-there rose large and fiourishing city. Its
manufactures were noted for their extent, and
the merchant-princes of that place revelled in
the wealth those manufactures produced. On
the outskirts of the Town were built two houses
alike IN form, in extent, in value 1.-TWO peas, -
or ''two nuts" or 1.-TWO pins" had frequently
described their similarity. Now, in these two
houses lived two brothers s-twins-the only
sons of the builder of those two houses. 1t had
been fancy Of the old man to have "the boys, "
as he called them, lodged alike; and his means
being ample he had the power Of indulging his
fancy. THE boys" married, and on the we'd
ding day the first stone of either home was
laid
Time enough to pet them finished, !" said the
old gentleman, as he rubbed his hands in glee;
won't want nursery for twelye-month, at
any rate. Small house do till then"
The young brides were present when that re-
mark was made. One blushed-and smiled; the
other blushed-and frowned 1t was the nettle
and the rose again standing side by side.
Six months passed, and the houses were half
uP-the old gentleman himself directing ali the
arrangements of the building.
ut is good indeed of your father, now an old
man, to take an interest in our comfort" said
one OF the young wives TO her husband "RaIph7
that was the husbands name-''you can
never repay him for his kind feeling and his
generosity TO us"
''ltis an absurdity for your father to play the
architect, and almost bricklayer,n remarked the
other wife to her spouse, "BUydell"-his name
" on should tell him that it is inconsistent with
his calling and his .station.p 3HFLl
at is consistent with his pleasure remark
ed the husband, ''and therefore am content . {
"Nursery ready in time" said the good old
man-"ready in time-ready in time"
The houses were occupied, in course of twelve
months the nurseries were occupied also,
"There unceasing anxieties in a mothers
lot" said the good wife of Ralph, "but unceas
ing pleasures too" And she smiled at the in
nOcent face of her sleeping babe.
'IIow women can like the bore of children,
cannot imagine" remarked her sister in law,
as her child was hastily given to its nurse.
Years passed on-as they always do-and
the young wives became middle-aged women
Sons and daughters clustered round them, and
the grandfather old and feeble, now leant on
these young things for support.
| Time had worked wonderous change in the
two brothers-Raph's told Of a home-stock oI
| happiness, from which he drew largely, while
Boydell looked as if content and happiness were
not in the world at all.
At this time when the families of each were
springing up, and needed money to be spent OF
| them, in education, maintenance, and the diff
ferent adjuncts of their station, one of those
panics of the commercial world, which ruiz
thousands, took place. Unfortunately, Ralpl
and his brother had entered into large specula
tions, which fliiing, they were involved in the
prevailing ruin, and found themselves verging
on bankruptcy. ........ ....-
"Be of good heart, Ralph" said his wife
"there is bread in this great world for ALL
Our fine large house, our servants and our car
riages, are not absolutely necessary to our hap
piness; we can do as others do-Iive withou
them: and the Children Ralph this lesson 0
adversely may be for their welfare. Take com
fort, Ralph there is plenty of that left for u
in the world, if our wealth has flown away"
"Yes," answered her husband, as he claspei
her hand and drew her to him, F" Yes there i
never failing comfort here, Lucy. God b
praised for having given me one so meet t
help me, both in joy or sorrow, wealth or poV
erty"
"You should have foreseen this crisis" re
marked the wife of Boydell, sand not aIlowe
your children to be brought to beggary at thei
age, when just entering on life. Expenses ar
unavoidable, unless, indeed, they be educate
as the laboring classes-whieh idea may b
worth your wise consideration f"
She ceased with sneer on her face.
: "Other men would not have been SO ventul
some with their money" she remarked "Th
Brownings for instance, and the Smiths, witt
drew in time, and Lionel Blagdon told me tbs
! your children might thank you, and you only
If starvation were their fate"
ain mercy cease" replied the husband, c
YOU will drive me mad"
: al must put your conduct fairly before you
eyes-it is my duty" she replied.
, Then reserve it until l am likely to apprt
ciate your effort in the performance of the duty,
! he answered bitterly.
Poor DUTY ~ how dreadfuIly is she mi
handled by these ascetic DANES. :" 1t is dI
: ty !" and under that plea many harsh truth
d uttered. at is a duty $50 says the eve
strict disciplinarian, and cold stern words al
: driven forth to tremble on an over-worked an
!. wearied brain. at is a duty - covers the cru
; rebuke and the severe rejoinder. 1t may be
'' duty to speak boldly and plainly sometime
but it is a duty to choose the opportunit
} when the speech may be acceptable, and NJ
fret and cnafe the wounded heart by repet
}, ton ofthe very truths which silently recognize
e are CALLING it already.
e Boydell knew quite well that he might hay
+. forseen and partially have provided for the me
ancholy event which had taken place. H
: conscience reproached him bitterly for careIes
L ness and rashness, and his wife's words we
T not needed to add to the reproach, which lie
to itself, might have worked some good by pr
ducing quiet determination to abide by Il
e more sober councils of Ralph in future,
e Ralpll's voice had been lifted against the ve
speculation which had caused the joint failu
/, Of the brothers.
Fretted and CALLED, and wearied of life al
life's struggles, Boydel knew not whittier
turn for comfort and consolation. His faith
had been gathered to the dead his brother /
Boydell was too proud to betray his lack of d
mestie peace to him; his children, initiating Il
bad example of the mother, turned against hiI
and instead of clustering round him in the ho
of woe, openly blamed him for the course
A. had adopted.
It, At last mis- mind, torn by thousand eonhiC
ing sorrows, gave way; lunatic asylum