The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-08-30

Whereas single man is. apt to run to
waste and self.neglect; to fancy himself
lonely and abandoned and his heart 10 fall
to ruin Ike some deserted mansion, for
want of an inhabitant.
These observations call TO mind little
domestic story Of which was once wit
ness. My intimate friend, Leslie, had
married beautiful and accomplished girl
who had tcen brought up in fashionable
life. She had il is true, no fortune, but
that Of my friend was ample; and he de-
lightt d in the anticipation Of indulging
htriu every elegant pursuit, and admin
istering to those delicate tastes and fan
cies tha. spread kind Of witchery about
the sex. "Her lile." said he, "shsll be
like a fairy tale"
The very difference of their characters
produced harmonious combination; he
was Of romantic, serious cast, she was all
life and gladness. have often noticed
the mute rapture with which he would
gaze upon her in company. Of which her
sprightly powers made her the delight;
and = in the midst Of applause her
eye would still turn 10 him as If
there alone she sought favor and ac,
acceptance. When hanging on his arm
her slender form ooLtrasted finely with
his tall, manly person. The fond, conf
ding air with which she looked up to HIM
seemed 10 cal! forth flush OF triumphant
pride and cherishing tenderness, as if he
dotted on his lovely burden for its helpless
meas. Never did q couple set forward on
the dowery path ofearly AMI well situated
marriage with fairer prospect Of fell
city:
il was the misfortdae >Gf<m& friend,
however, to haVe.eMbaiEAc~his pcoPcrty
in large specnlnions; he had not been
married many months. when by a sue
,cessidh of sudden disasters it was ewep.
'froh hip, and he found hinNs.lf Jedeeed
almost to penEy. For timShe &pt his
situation to himstlfand Vent about with a
haqgard coanttnsnce and breaking heart.
His life was but protracted agony and
what rendered it more insupportable was
the necessity of keeping up a smile in the
presence ofhis wiEa; for l.e could mol bring
himself to oyerwhelin her with ihc news,
She saw however, with quick eye Of alfec
,io1 that all was not well with him. She
marked his altered looks and stiAsd sighs
and was not to be deceived BY his sitkly
and vivid attcmptrat cheerfu'hess. Sic
iasked all her sprightly powers and ten
der establishments TO win him back to
happiness but she only drove the arrow
deeper into his soul. The more he saw
cause to love her.. the more torturins
was the thought that he was soon to make
her wretcbed. A little while, thought he
and ihe smile will vanish from that cheek
the song will die away from those lips
the lustrCof those eyes will be quench
ed with sorrow; and the happy hear
which row beats lightly in thai bosom vii
be weighed down like mine. ty the cares
and miseries Of tie world.
At length he came to me one day ant
related his whole situation in tone o
deep despair. Wien heard him through
| inquired "Does your wife know al
this? Attic question lie burst into al
agony OF tears.
"For Gods sake!" cried lie, "if yo'
have any pity on me, don't mention m.
wife; ii is TIE thought of her that drive
mo almost 10 madness" r.... ...
"And why hol?' said I. "She mus
know itsooner or later;you cannot keel
it long from her, and the intelligence ma,
break upon her'ip a more startling man
uer than impaired by yourself; for tb
accents ofthose we love soften the harshe
tidings. Besides you are depriving your
self Of the comforts of her sympathy; an
not merely that, but endangering the onl
bond that can KEEP hearts togeIher-a
unreserved eco community OF thought an
Ieeling. She will soon perceive that some
thing is secretly praying upon your min
and true love VIII not brook reserve;
feels undervalued and outraged. whe
even the sorrows of those ii loves ar
concealed from H."
"O!bu my friend 10 thiuklwhat bio
| am TO give TO all her future prospects
How am I to strike her very soul to I'll
earth, by telling her that her husband
a beggar! that she is to foregO all the eli
eancics Of lifs--all the pleasures, OF ga
society to shrink with'me into indigenc
and obscurity! To tell her that | hav
dragged her down from the sphere i
which she nigh, have cotinued to mov
ir constant brighlnrss-the light OF e'
cry eyo-the admiration of every hear
How can she bear poverty?-she has bee
,tbs idol bf society, oh, it will break HI
!, heart, it will-break her hear"
saw bis grief was eloquent, and | Il
) tit have its flow; for sorrow relieves, itse
by words.--When his paroxism had su.
. sided. and he had relapsed into moos
silence. resumed the su' ject gently, al
5 urged him TO break his situation at on
/ to his wife. He shook his head modr
/ fully but positively.
"But how are you to keepit from he
i, It is necessary that shs should know
y THAT you may take the steps proper to I
9 alteration of your circumstance. "
5 must change your style of liviug-nay
:. observing pang to pass across his cou
tensuce, "don't let that affiict you. /
o sure you have never placed your hapI
il ness in outward show--you have J
/ friends-warm friends, who will not thi
Ii the worse of you for being less splendid
d lodged; and surely it dos not require
e palace to be happy with Mary"
). "I could live with her,"h cried, ,conv
y sively, Gin howell l could go do
r. with her into poverty ahd the dust! | COT