The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1860-06-06
Be Kind to Your Wife.

Be kind to your wife. Think how in
the first blush of-maiden beauty, she turn.
ed aside from the haunts of pleasure,
from the cares Of fond parents, brothers
and sisters, to follow your fortunes through
the world. Think with what blended
hope and agony you have followed her
from place to place, watching her every
look, and pondering the meanest of her
most careless tones, until won by your
importantly, she places her hand all, trust
fully in yours and says, IL am oil your
own.' Think of the cares and anxieties,
and physical sufferings she has incurred
for you, and do not desert her now when
her step has lost elasticity, and she sits an
accomplishing watche: over your inter-
ests, selfcarnated prisoner in her OWE
home.
Merrily the music sounds-young feet
trip lightly in the mazy dance, and joyous
laughter along the wall-but she is not
there. The orator rises before his audi
ence, his rich deep tones of elOquence
floating away along the crowded passages
and curling upwards as voiced incense
to the vaulted roof, but she is not there
Art opens her new stores and displays her
wonderful creations on the glowing canvas,
and in the speaking bust; your wife is a
lover of the chaste and beautiful, but she
is rot there. Literature presents new
leaves fresh from the fascinating pen of
the .genius--the wife and mother has lit
tie time to read.
No, there she fingers at home God
commissioned watcher over helpless chill
dreD; singing babies to sleep, bending to
catch the lisping voice Of those dear ones
who have thousand imaginary wants.
encouraging the quiet and soothing the
fretful. She is very weary but does not
complain, her temples throb, but she does
not heed the throbbing, as ever and anon
she turns a wistful glance towards the
door, for she expects her husband.
She expects you; and her whole world
of happiness will be there when you ar
rive.
Will you enter that room with cold in
difference? Will you utter hasty word
in her presence? Will you set down with
that frown upon your countenance, ol
complain of the burdens you are compel
led to bear? Will you thoughtlessly re
mind her of her faded beauty or manifes
surprise at her ignorance of many thing
passing in the great world from which sh'
has been excluded by her peculiar duties
Will you suffer the recollection of an,
more youthful or beautiful to haunt you il
homes hallowed precincts, or cross tn
white leaf of conjugal felicity with on
unhallowed thought? Oil remember you
early love. your early promises, think hoy
faithful she has kept hers; love her as yo
ought and she is still eautiful-beautifr
/ in her pure motherly affections, her self
sacrificing devotion to you. Realize tha
i. she is all your own, that throughout tn
: wide world you are sure of but one hear
S whose every chord is linked invislbly, to
). counterpart in your own, realize that upo
o her bosom alone, you may weep out you
h sorrows on day of trouble. without fea
i of being mocked.
j. Husband love your wifel Gather ht
}, to your heart of hearts, as if in her wei
: all your hopes of happiness combined
;. bless her daily for her patience and trutl
/. stand up like man between her and tt
d rude, cold world, and teach your childre
k to honor her, that God may honor yo
e In all the relations of life there comes
IS parting hour, and we beseech you so
e live, that if it should be your lot to XII
her clay cold lips and to lay her in IL
n grave forever, you may lay your hand ho1
d estly upon your widowed heart and say
" never wronged you.- Olive Branch.
g. -