The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1860-08-01
geletteo e-Talt,
From Washington JFFipg's Sketch Book
THE WIFE.

The treasures of the deep are not so precious
AS are the conceald comforts of a man
Locked up in Woman's love. L scent the air
OF blessings when come but near the house
hat delicious breath marriage sends forth
Tbi violet beds not sweeter, MIpDLErcs.
[ have often had occas on to remark,
the fortitude with which woman sustains
the most overwhelming reverses of for
tune. Those disasters which break down
the spirit ola man, and PROSTATE him III
the dust, seem to call forth all the ener-
gies of the softer aud give such in
trepedity aud elevation to the character
that at times it approaches to snbhmity.
Nothing can be more touching than to
behold soft and tender female, who had
been all weakness and dependence, and
alive to every trivial roughness, while
treading the prosperous paths of life, sud
denly rising in mental force to be the
comforter and support of her husband
under misfortune, and abiding with I'M
shrinking frmness, the bItterest blast Of
adversely.
As ne vine, which has long twined its
graceful foliage about the oak, and been
lifted by it into sunshine, will, when the
hardy plant is rifted by the thunder bolt,
cling round it with its caressing tendrils,
and bind up its shattered boughs; so it
is beautifully ordered by Providence, that
woman, who is the mere dependent and
ornament of man in his happier hours,
should be his stay and solace when smit-
ten with sudden calamity; winding her.
self into the rugged recessss of his ma
ture, tenderiy supporting the dropping
head, and binding up the broken heart.
Twas once congratulatng friend,
who had around him blooming family,
knit together in the strongest affection
81 can wish you no better lot" said he
with enthusiasm, ethan to have p wife
and children. IF you are prosperous
there they are to share your prosperity;
if otherwise, thev are there to comfort
YOU" And, indeed, / have observed.
that married man falling into misfor-
tune is more apt to retrieve bis situation
in the world than single one; partly be-
cause he is more stimulated TO exertion
by tho necessities of the helpless and be-
loved beings who depend upon him for
subsistence; but chiefly because his spirits
are soothed and relieved by domestic en-
dearments, and his self-respect keep alive
by finding, that though all abroad is
darkness and humiliation, yet there is
still little world of love ut home, of
which he is the monarch. Whereas a
single man is apt to run to.waste and self
neglect; to fancy himself lonely and
abandoned. and his heart to fall to ruin
like some deserted mansion, for want of
an inhabitant.
Those observations call to mind little
domestic story, of which I was once a
witness. NV intimate friend, Leslie. bad
married beautiful and accomplished
girl, who had been brought up in the
midst of fashionable life. She lad, it is
true. no fortune, but that of my friend
was ample: and he delighted in the antic-
ipation of indulging her in every elegant
pursuit, and administering to those deli
cate tastes and fancies that spread kind
Of witcberv about tae sex. "Her ife.'
said he, ''shaH be ike fairy tale"
The very difference in their characters
produced an harmonious combination -
he was of romantic and somewhat ser;-
Gus cast; she was all life and gIadness.-
| 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 how, in the
midst of applause, her eye would turn tc
lin, as if there alone she sought favor
and acceptance. While leaning on biz
arm, her slender form contrasted fnel.
with his tall manly person. The fonc
cenfding air with which she looked up t.
him seemed to call forth flush Of .rj