Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-13
w. ID. WALLACH.
A WIFE,S TRIALS.

cnlld crying, said Charles Mervyn, shortly,
to his wife, as he came in one evening from his
office, and, sitting down before the fre, placed
his feet comfortably on the fender. Why
cant ysu let Mary take him up stairs,"
. am afraid he IS not very well, !" answered
Margaret, gently, as she pressed her infant to
her bosom, and rocked backward endeavorine
to lull it to sleep
An nonsense! ~ said her husband. "The
child IS as well as l am One would think he
was your only one, to see what a fuss you
make over him. Heaven knows am sick of
his screaming" D."
The wife rose, and carefully wrapping up the
little one, quietly carried him up stairs. and
laid him in his CRIB. She longed to remain
while with him, but tea was ready SO stoOp-
ing over him she kissed his little forehead.
murmuring, "GOd bless you, nv precious
one, and left him in charge of the nurse.
She crossed the landing, and. opening the
door of the nursery, two bright looking chill
dren bounded forward to meet her
80! mamma" cried Charlie, fine bow of
nine years old, I'VE wanted so much to come
down stairs, but you told US not to -
May we come now 2" said little Alice put
ting her dimpled hand into her mothers, and
holding up her mouth for kiss
The mother folded both her darings in her
arms, then taking a hand Of each, led them
down into the sitting-rOom. Paps's arms were
ready for Charlie, and Ally sat at a low foot
stool at her mothers feet till tea was brought
in, when they all took their places at the
table
Mr. Mervyn had felt pang Of self.renro,cb
IS MS wife left the room so gently, but he re-
pressed it, saying, "She does not care. sbe
takes everything just so.''
Margaret was the only child of a vell-to-do
tradesman, and for this reason had Charles
Mervyn married her, never dreaming that in
winning the love of such a woman he had
found a treasure more precious than could
be purchased for gold. He thought her cold
and passiOnless, but her heart was to him a
sealed fountain, and he had never thought to
fathOm its depths. She, on her part, so often
met with rude repulse, that she had long
expressions of affection that she would have
poured so freely forth. On her children there
fore, she lavished the wealth of love with
which her heart was overhOwing. There in
deed there was no need to repress the warm
gushing feelings of her nature. Yet she was
Judlcious mother. She had learned to con-
quer her own spirit, and thus she knew how
10 rule over them. She encouraged in them
tender, afectiOnate feelings, and unwearied
was her watchfulness. The little ones regard sd
her not only with love, but with a feeling al
most Of veneration. Long had she felt that il
was in vain for her to hope for her husbands
love; yet each day she attended as carefully
to his comfort, and spoke as kindly and cheer
fully to him, with patient, gentle faithful
ness that hoped for return. "She had a
hidden strength" which he mistook for want
OF feeling. IL provoked him that she was so
patient. When he saw how the children loved
her he would wonder that it was 80; but as he
did not love her before they were married, he
did not think he eonld now. After all. he
thought. ''It is the way half the married peo-
pie in the world get along; and dare say
Margaret does not care"
When tea was over Margaret went nm To the
baby and found him sleeping quietly.
Il will send you some supper, Mary" said
her mistress; ''and L wish you would stay with
him little while
She found her husband and Charlie reading
and Any sitting on the floor dressing her favor
ite doll. She also took up a book and read for
some time, when she perceived that her hus-
band had laid down his paper, and was shad-
ing his eyes with his hand. 'Shall read to
you, Charles?" said she, laying down her
book, and looking at him as he sat with his
face turned away from her.
''Oh, do not trouble YOURSELF" he replied
cOldly without removing his hand
For a moment the tears rose in her eyes and
bitter thoughts in her heart, but the next mo-
ment she answered, at will be no trouble,
Charles" and she quietly took up the paper.
Her tone was so very gentle and subdued
that he involuntary looked up, but she held
the paper before her just then, and he could
not see her face. He thought he must be mis-
taken, and resumed his former attitude, as she
read aloud in sweet, clear voice She
unlsneu, anu uOWn the paper without
any comment turned to the children saying,
Come, my dears, it is time for you to GO"
''0h, mamma, - said Charlie, ''you know you
said you would play US the gypsy song, if we
were good"
mo, Charlie" said Ally, "mamma did not
promise, not actually promise; she said if baby
did not cry"
lis he crying, Charlie 30 asked his mother.
Charlie hesitated a moment-his passionate
love for music, and above all for mammals
songs, tempted him; but he looked up, saying,
Il think he is, mamma"
Then you may stay till 90 and see, and
if be is not, L will come back and play" In
abO1t ten minutes she returned, saying he was
very quiet; and sitting down to the piano, she
sang their wished for favorite. ''Now kiss
papa, and let us CO." she said, as che looked
on them with a mothers pride.
Mamma has such rosy cheeks tonight
how pretty she looks" said Charlie, climbing
on his fathers knee.
Mr. Meryyn turned and looked at his wife;
but as she met his eye the color fed from her
cheek, and the sad, patient smile she usually
wore was returned to her face.
Mamma is always pretty" said Ally, in
dignantly. when l am grown mean to be
Just like her"
"You can't be so good" said Charlie, get
ting down and taking her other hand and they
went up TO the nursery.
In about fifteen minutes Mr.. Mervyn too
followed, for feeling of remorse he could not
shake of came over him and the quiet of the
parlor as he sat alone was unbearable He did
not wish to see Margaret there again, 50 he
determined to 20 to his room and sleep away
these gloomy feelings"
AS he passed the nursery door, which was
partly open, he looked in. Margaret was Sit
ting with her back to the door. with one arm
around Alice, who was sitting in her lap, and
the other encircling Charlie, who was kneel-
ing by her side. Suddenly the little fellow
looked up thoughtfully.
Mamma" said he, "does not papa love
your"
For a moment she was silent, but her voice
recovered its usual gentle tone as she replied,
''Of what are you thinking, my dear ?"
"Why, tonight when you were so pretty
and rosy, papa never seemed to care about it
at all; when he looked at you, you locke quite
pale-as you always are"
perhaps, my dear, your papa does not show
all he feels" she said in a tone that belied her
words And, now," she added, Twill you
listen while read ?" The child placed one
hand in hers, and one in bis sisters and she
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