Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-04-13
An 1nteresting 5torp.
THE WIFE.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

The treasures Of the deep are not so precious
AS the concealed comforts of man
Locked up in w0mane love / scent the air
OF blessings when / come but near the house
What delicious breath marriage sends forth
The violet bed is not sweeter. tMDDLEroS.
have often had occasion to remark
the fortitudc with which woman sustains
the most overwhelming reverses of for
tune. Those disasters which break down
the spirit of man and PROSTATE him in
the dust, seem to call forth all the ener-
gies of the softer sex, and give such in
trepidity and elevation to the character,
that at times it approaches to sublimity.
Nothing can be more touching than to
behold soft and gentle female, who had
been all weakness and dependence, and
alive to every trivial roughness, while
treading the prosperous paths of life,
suddenly rising in mental force to be the
comforter and support of her husband un-
der misfortune, and abiding, with un-
shrinking firmness, the bitter blasts Of
adversely.
AS the vine which has long twined
the graceful foliage about the oak, and
been lifted by it into sunshine, will,
when the hardy plant is rifted by the
thunderbolt, cling around it with its ca
ressing tendrils. and bind up its shat
tered boughs, so is it beautifully ordered
by Providence that woman, who is the
mere dependent and ornament Of mau in
his happier hours, should be his stay and
solace when smitten with sudden calami-
ty; winding herself into the rugged re-
cesses of his nature, tenderly supporting
the dropping head, and binding up the
broken heart.
! was once congratulating a friend
who had around him blooming family
knit together in the strongest affection.
~ can wish you no better lot" said he
with enthusiasm, 90 than to have wife
and children. If you are prosperous,
there they are to share your prosperity /;
if otherwise, there they are to comfort
you" And, indeed, / have observed
that married man falling into misfor-
tune is more apt to retrieve his situation
in the world than single one; partly
because he is more stimulated to cxcrtion
by the necessities Of the helpless and be-
loved beings who depend upon him for
subsistence but chiefly because his spir-
its are soothed and relieved by domestic
endearments, and his self-respect kept
alive by finding, that, though all abroad
is darkness and humiliation, yet there is
still little world of love at home, Of
which he is the monarch. Whereas q
single man is apt to run TO waste and self
neglect; to fancy himself lonely and
abandoned, and his heart to ruin like
some deserted mansion, for want of an
inhabitant.
These observations call to mind lit
tie domestic story, of which l was once a
witness. My intimate friend, Leslie, had
married a beautiful and accomplished
girl, who had been brought up in the
midst of fashionable life. She had, it il
true, no fortune, but that of my friend
was ample and he delighted in the anti
cipation of ineulging her in every ele-
CANT pursuit, and administering to those
delicate tastes and fancies that spread a
kind of witchery about the sex. (" Her
life," said he, shall be like fairy tale. "
The very difference in their characters
produced an harmonious combination /;
he was Of romantic and somewhat Sc
rious cast; she was all life and gladness.
/ 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 still
turn to him, as if there alone she sought
favor and acceptance. When leaning on
his arm, her slender form contrasted fine
ly with his tall, manly person. The fond,
confding air with which she looked up
TO him seemed to call forth a flush Of tri
umphant pride and cherishing tenderness,
as if he dotted on his lovely burden for
its very helplessness. Never did a cou-
pie set forward on the howery path of
early and well-suited marriage with
fairer prospect Of felicity
II mae The x,toforf,.nn nf 49, f~sn-I