Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1860-01-20
MIS- c LII Al Y.
THE WIFE.

IL ofs man. and prOs,rate him IN tho dust
,esm TO call forth all the energies Of the
softer .cI, aud give such inircpidiiy and ell
,ation to the character, that a. times IL ap-
oroacbes TO .ublimi,y. Nothing can bs
more touching than to behold a soft and
tender female, who had been all weakness.
and dependence, and alive to every trivial
roushpc... whdo treading the prosperous
path. Of lie. suddenly rising in mental
force to be the comforter and support OF
her husband under misfortune. AMI abiding.
with un,hrinking hrmnes', the bitter blasts
Of adversely.
A. the vine. which ha. long twined Its
graceful foliage abou, the oak, and been lift
cd by 1t into sunshine. will, when the ha-.
dy plant is rilisd by the thunderboli. cling
round 1t with IL. care.sins ,endril.. and
bind up hi. shattered bough,; - isit beau
iifully ordered by Providence, tha, woman
who il the mere dependent and ornament,
Of mAu in hi. happier hours. should be hi.
s,ay and s1lace when smtten with sudden
calamity winding herself into the rugged
recss.e. OF hi. nature. ,enderly supporting
the dropping head. and binding up the bro
ken heart.
| WAS ones eonsratulatins a friend, who
had around him a blooming family, knit 10
c,,hsr in the strongest affection. | can
wish you no b-iisr lot, " said he. with en.
thu,ilsm. " than % have a wife aud ch ild.
rsn. II you are prosperous, ,hore they are
to share your prosperity, II otherwise,
there they are 10 comfort you" And, in.
deed have observed that married man
falling into misfortune I. more apt TO re.
,ricys hl. situation in tho world than SIN.
ele one partly because he !. mo-e s,imula
ted 20 c1ertion 5y tie necessities OF the
helples. and beloved beings who depend ur-
on him for subsistence but chiefly because
hi. spirit. are .oothcl and relieved by do
nestle end5armcn,', and his sclf.rc'pcct
kep, alive hy finding that. though all abroad
/, darkne., and humiliation, yet there !,
still little world Of love at home, OF which
he /. the monarch. Whereas a single man
/. ap, 60 run to waste and scll.neglec,, to
fancy himself lonely and abandoned, and
hi, heart TO tall to ruin like some deserted
mansion. for wan. Of an inh'bitant.
These observations call 70 mind little
domestic story, Of which va. once a wit.
mess. Ny intimate friend, Leslie, had mar.
riei beautiful aud accomplished girl. who
had been brough, up in the mlts, Of fash.
ionablo life. She had. i, j. true no fortune,
but that Of my friend WAS ample and be
delighted in TIE anticipation Of iniulslns
her in every slesant pursuit. and Admini--
terins 10 lhoss delicate tastes aud isncies
,ha, spread kind OF witchery abou, the
sex. &" Her liie. said he, shall be like a
fairy tale"
Tho very difference in their characters
produced an harmonious combination he
va, Of romantic and somewhat serious
eas, she wa. all life and gladne-'. have
often noticed the mute rapture with which
he would giz, on her in company. OF which
her .rrigh,ly power. made her the delight
and how. in the mids, Of applause, her eye
would It'll turn 10 him. as il there alone
she sought favor and acceptance. When
leaning on his arm. her slender form con.
,rast-d finely with hi. tall, manly person.
Tho fond conGiIns air with which she look
ed up to him seemed to call forth a au,h Of
triumphan, pride aud cheri'hinc tenderness
as IL he dotted on bis lovely burden for its
very hslpls..ness. Never did couple .e,
forward on the horery path Of early aud
well.ui,sd marriage with fairer prospect
OF felicity.
II wa. the misfortune Of my friend how
ever. to have embarked his property in large
speeulatlons ard he had not been married
many months, when, by succession ofsud.
den disasters. il was swept from him, and
he found himself reduced almost to psnury.
For time he kept lis situation TO himself,
and went about with hasgard coun,en.
auee. and breaking heart. His life was
but a protrac,sd agony and what rendered
/, more insupportabls was the necessity o!
keeping upa smile in the presence Of his
wife; for no could not bring himself to
o,orwbelm Der with the news. She saw,
however. with the quick eye Of affection,
tha, all wa, not well with him. She mark.
ed bis altered look. and s,ifled sighs, and
was not to be deceived 10y his siekly aud
vapid attempts at chseriulness. She iasked
oil her sprightly powers and tender bland.
ishm.n,s TO win him back to happiness
but She only drove the arrow deeper into
his soul. The more he saw cause to love
her. the more torturing was the thought
that he was soon TO make hor wretched.
A little while. thought he, and the smile
will vanish from that cheek-thc song will
die away from those lip--tbe lustre OF
those eyes will be quenehed with sorrow ;
and the happy heart which now beats light
ly in that bosom. will be weighed down
like mine. by the cares and miseries OF the
world.
At length he came to me one day, and
related his whole situation in tone Of the
deepes. despair. When had heard him
through, inquired, "Does your wife know
all this2' At the question he burst into
nm agony Of tears. :" For Gods sake7'
cried be. ell you have any pity on me, do
"a. r,,nnAInp NV uifn IL Ia tha ihnnrht