The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-02-14

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convspiences ar elekAseiee. when We come
pS,st,casy szEssncs II sosSss ssse. :As =,
/ WI - the real trial."
| Hui, !" said I, snow that yoa hare got ovei
~ severest task, that Of breakine e 70 nef
~ r.. 1es ro ray s. OH
Bot then n h single misery. and soon over
| whereas you Otherwise safer u In anticipa-
| ton, every hoar Of the day: II y notpoverty
70 mssn - presseoS 10y . ,'.crS msrd ~
an empty purse--the keeping mp hollow
show that must soon come TO 40 end. Have
| the courage 70 appear poor and you disarm
1 poverty ofits sharrcst stag" On this point
| ffouna Leslie perfectly prepared. He had no
false pride AimselG aad - to his wife, she
vas only anxious 70 conform TO their altered
fortunes.
the evening. He had disposed Of his dwelling
house, and taken q ANAL cottage in the coun-
try y few miles from town. He had been bust
ed all day In sending out furniture. The new
Of the simplest kind All the furniture OF his
late residence had been sold excepting his wifes
harp. That, he said, was ZOO closely associated
with the idea Of herself; IL belonged TO the
little story Of their loves; for some of the
sweetest moments Of their courtship were
those when he had leaned over that instru-
ment and listened to the melting tones of her
voice. l could not but smile At this instance
OF romantic gallautry in doting husband
He was now going out 70 the cottage, where
his wife had been all day experimenting its
arrangement. My feelings had become strong
~ interested in the progress of this family
story, and, rs it was fine evening, offered
TO accompany him.
He was wearied with the fafigues OF the DAY,
and, as he walked ont. fell into a fit Of gloomy
masing.
sigh, from his lips.
.'And what Of her. p asked I: "has any
thing happened to herr
s'What,' - said he, acting an impatient glance
tbs it nothing to be reduced to this paltry sit
uation--tO be Gagged in miserable cotiage-to
be obliged to toll almost in the mental con-
Germs of her wretehed habitation p
"nas she, then, repined at the cnange Z,
ness aud good humor. Indeed, she seems in
better spirits than have ever known her; she
has been to me all love, ana tenderness, and
COMFORT" ~
ssAdmiruble girl - exclaimed l.. "You call
Yourself poor, my friend; you never were so
rich-yoU never knew the bpundless treasures
of excellence You possess in that woman
"Oh but, my friend, IL this first meeting at
the cottage were over, think conld then be
comfortable. But this is her first day OF real
experiences; she has been introduced into an
humble dwelling-she has bet employed all
day in arranging its miserable equipments
she has, for the first time, known the fatigues
of domestic employment-she has. for the first
time, looked round her on home destitute Of
everything elegant-almost of every thing con-
venient and may now be sitting down, ex-
hausted and spiritless, brooding over pros
pect OF future poverty"
There was degree ofprobability in this pic
ture that could not gainsay, SO we walked on
After turning from the main road up mar
row lane, SO thickiy shaded with forest trees
as TO give it a complete air of seclusion, we
came in sight Of the cottage. 1t was humble
enough in its appearance Tor the most pastoral
poet, and yet it had a pleasing rural look. A
wild vine had Overrun one end with profu-.
sion offoliage; a few trees threw their branches
gracefully over it: aud observed several
pots Of flowers tastefnlly disposed about the
door, and on the grass plot in front. A small
wicket gate opened upon footpath that wound
through some shrubbery to the door. Just as
we approached, we heard the sound of music
Leslie grasped my arm-we paused and lis
tened. 1t was Mary's voice singing, in style
of the most touching simplicity, a little air of
which her husband was peculiarly fond.
l felt Leslie's hand tremble on my arm. He
stepped forward to hear more distinctly. His
step made a noise on the gravel walk. bright
face glanced out at the window, and
light tootstep was heard-and
MARY cdtur LIlRpluk AOX III W ucCt Us sue was
in pretty rural dress of white, few wild
flowers were twisted in her fine hair: n fresh
bloom was on her cheek; her whole counte-
nance beamed with slniles-I had never seen
her look SO lovely.
''My dear George" cried she, 81 am glad
you are come! / have been watching and
for you and running down the lane,
and looking ont tor yOu. I've set out a table
under 4 beautiful tree behind the cottage, and
I've been gathering some of the most delicious
straw berries. for know you are fond of them
-aud we have such excellent cream-and
is SO sweet and still here-c' said
she, putting her arm within bis, and looking
up brightly in his face. oh, we shall be So
happy p
Poor Leslie was overcome. He caught her
TO his bosom-he folded his arms round her
he kissed her again and again-he could not
speak, but the tears gushed into his eyes and |
be has often assured me, that though the |
world has since gone prosperously with him.
and his life has, indeed, been happy one, yet |
never has he experienced a moment Of more |
exquisite felicity.