Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-14

A wIFE's TRIALS,
CONTINUED.

ting her out of temper Charles might be there
to witness it. And so much did she exert her
self in the laudable work that every meal was
one long struggle and prayer for her daughter
in-law. Yet the children's conduct and want
were as carefully noticed as usual, and even
Charles thought that his wife must be either a
martyr or a consummate actress. Tonight, as
they were at the tea-table, the mother said,
" Charles, when are you going to send Charlie
away ~
Margaret started, and Charles rose to go to
her side
- Sit Down, Charlie" said she, calmly, no
ticing the child's movement He obeyed, and
looking respectfully at his father, said, please
don't send me away, papa"
You will go to school where there will be
great many boys" said his grandmother.
- But would rather stay with mamma
replied the boy, decidedly.
That's the way the boy always is; he has
no spirit; always at his mothers apron
strings"
The boys face flushed angrily, but he re-
ceiVed warning look from his mother, and
remained silent.
Are you not satisfied with the school here?''
asked Margaret, as calmly as she could
Yes, answered Charles, /" but it is better
he should go away, and learn to be little in
dependent. You keep him too much like a
girl. Let him go away. and be more of a man. D."
But ne is too young" suggested Margaret;
~
said Mrs. Mervyn. II declare, Margaret, you
are running the boy he is perfect baby, cling
ing to you as if he was afraid of being lost. I
think il is time something was done with him. s"
Margaret said no more; she knew by ex-
perience that to argue with the old lady only
increased her irritation. Mrs. Mervyn ex-
pected she would reply, and was evidently
disappointed she did not. 1t was decided that
Charlie should 60 in about two months; and
Mr. Mervyn and his mother arranged various
plans for his studies and his journey. The
child remarked the quivering of his mothers
lip, and the tears that gathered in her eyes,
and when they arose from the table, he threw
his arms around her, whispering, Don't,
mamma; will try to be good boy; please
don't cry"
And the mother did not cry. She pressed
her boy to her bosom, then stroked back the
hair fondly from his beautiful forehead.
Charles looked at them a moment, then rose,
and shutting the door violently after him, left
the house. With all his love for his boy, and
all his fathers pride, and his efforts to gain
the child's affections, he had never succeeded
in obtaining such look of devoted attach
ment as the one the lad now gave his mother.
Margaret observed Charles look of fdispleasure
and OWNED the cause. A shade came over
her face, when she caught the eye Of the old
lady fixed intently upon her. In a moment
she recovered her wonted calm, quiet mann er,
and proceeded to her usual mornings occupa-
tiOns.
Charles had lately suffered great pain in his
eyes; 30 great, in fact, as to prevent him read
ing at all at night. Till his mother came,
Margaret had read to him almost every even
ing, but now he had again used them so much
that the pain and inflammation had become
alarming. For awhile he left off reading by
lamp-light; then he was compelled to give up
his books for q greater part of the day. In
the anxiety consequent upon this, Charles's
going was not talked of. Margaret gave up
most Of her time to the amusement of the suf-
ferer reading to him and playing and singing
when be became weary of the reading.
Il thought you did not like music Charles"
said his mother one day in a petulant tone, as
he seemed almost to forget his situation in lis
tening to Margaret This remark destroyed
all his pleasure, and again brought back the
helpless feelings be had for a time succeeded
in bsnishing; and though Margaret sang his
fayorite songs, he lay quiet on the sofa. with
out taking further notice, his hands over bis
eJes. Yet he could not help thinking how
thoughtful and forbearing his wife was, and
how much she had to bear from his mothers
unkindness. He was astonished at the con-
slant patience she evinced, and yet he thought
she must feel. Every day since his illness, as
he observed her daily conduct, he involunts-
rily felt for her increasing admiration. He
saw there was q something he could not un-
derstand, which he must respect, and
which rendered her far superior to himself;
something which seemed to raise her above
the daily trials to which he acknowledged she
was exposed, and to enable her to wear the
same cheerful smile through all.
Mrs. Mervyn soon found to her extreme an
ger and modification, that Charles preferred
Margaret's nursing to her own. He called on
his wife for everything, without knowing that
he did 30, because there was nothing in her
manner that ever irritated him by its coca
sional assumption Of authority, as was some
L i
obtain no relief so il was decided that he must
leave home and 90 where he could consult ply
sicians likely to restore him. But, before he
could get ready, he was attacked with slow,
lingering fever, which confined him entirely
to bis room, and fer a time absorbed the at
tention and excited the deepest anxiety of the
whole family Margaret did not leave him
day nor night She would throw herself on
a couch, and snatch a few minutes rest, but
the slightest movement Of Charles awakened
her. She was ever there attending to his
wishes, anticipating them in fact, As no one
else could. The children came softly to the
door to ask about papa, and their mother
20 quietly down. To Charlie she recommended
particularly the care Of his little sister; and
truly was she now rewarded for the strict obe-
dience she had always required ofthem. No
thing but devoted love for his mother, and
the habit Of obeying her slightest command,
in the nursery, whore he had to endure the
irritable temper Of his grandmother. But he
bore il all bravely, not letting his mother even
suspect il, lest il should distress her.
One day Charles awoke, and to his surprise
Margaret was not with him. In few mo-
ments, however, she returned, and gently
bathed his forehead, and administered the
medicine, but then again went out. For few
days it continued thus. No attention was
omitted, but be felt hurt that she left him
Once he said, "Sleep here, Margaret, do not
20 out"
IL am not going to sleep" she answered, in
a tone Of great distress.
81 am afraid you are unwell," !" said he anx-
iously, worried by her nervous manner.
She stopped down, and passed her hand
which was cold as death, over his forehead,
assuring him she was quite we'll, and would
return in few minutes. But minute after
minute passed by, and still she was away. He
wondered what it could mean, and lay listen
ing TO the slight noise made by the FIRE, till at
length he fell asleep.
He siept about an hour, and when be awoke
Margaret was again beside him. leaa
here have you been ~ be asked quickly
eOnly IN the next room - ghe renIiad as an N