The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-03-13
1fIEDLEToS
i IIlssaolten Ind osss sa-ts c:z.sss y

ioycrwllelni, q ircvclsef Of fortune. Those DIS
asters which break down the spirit of a,nlar
and prnstrate him in the dust, seem to cal
forth all the energies of the softer sex. auf
give sucl, intrcpality and elevation TO the char
actcr, that at times it approaches to sub!imtv
Nothing can he more touching than to behold
soft and gentle female, who had been al
weakness and dependence, and alive to every
trivial ronghncss, while trcad:nG the prosper
os paths of life, suddenly rising in mental force
to he the comforter and support other husband
under misfortune, and abiding viii, unshrink.
ing frlnncss. the bitter blast Of adversely.
As the vre which has loHg twncd its grace
fill foliage ahont the oak, and been lifted by
it into sunshine. will. wlcn'the hardy plant is
riftcd bv the thundertolt, clirg round it with
its carcssng tcndri!s, and bind mp its shattered
bouglls; so is it beautifully ordered l,y Provi.
dence, that woman, who is the mere dependent
and ornament of man in his happier hours
should be his stay and solacc when smittcu
with sudden calamity; winding herself into the
rugged recesscs of his nature, tcndery support.
ing the dropping head, and binding up the
broken heart.
was congr;tulating friend, who had
around him blooming family, knit together
in the strongest affection. Il can visit voa no
better lot" said he. with enthusiasm, than to
have Il wife and children. If You are prosper
ous, there they are to share Your prosperity; il
otherwise, there they arc to comfort you
And, indeed, have observed that married
man falling into misfortune is more apt to re-
tricvc his situation in 1he world than a single
Que; partly be.'a!lse he is more stimulated to
excrtion bv the necessities Of the helpless and
>brlovcd beings who depend upon him for sub.
sistcrce; but chiefly because his spirits are
soo,hed and relieved 10y domestic cndcarmcnts,
and his srIt-respcct kept alive hy finding, that
though all abroad is darkness and humiliation,
vet there is still little world Of love at home,
of which he is the monarch. Whereas sin
gle man is aptto run to waste and sc-nrg'cct. TO
fancy himself lonely and abas'd ,ncd, and his
heart to fall to ruin like some deserted mat
sion, for want of an inllahif,nt.
These observations call to mind little do
mestc story, of which WAS once witness
Nv intimate friend, Leslie, had married Il bcall-
tiiul and accomplished girl, who had been
brought up in the midst Of fashionable life
She had, It is true, no fortune, but that of my
friend was ample; and he delighted in the an
tcipation Of indulgng her in ever elegant pur-
suit, and administering to those delicate tastes
and f,ncics that spread kind Of witchcry
about the sex. "lIcr lifr," said he, shall be
Ike fairy ;ale"
The very difference in their characters pro-
duced an harmonious combination he was of
a romantic and somewhat serious cast; she was
al! life and gladmcss ! have oit.n noticed the
mute rapture with which lie would gaze upon
her in company, of which her spriglltly pow
crs 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 ac-
ceptance. When leaning on his arm, her
slender form comtr;>tcd finely with his tall,
manly person. The fond corfiGimg air with
which she looked up to him seemed to call
forth flush of triumphant pride and cherish
ing tenderness, as il he dotted OH his lovely
burden for its very hel pIessness. Never did 81
couple set forward on the tlowcry path of early
and wclLsuilcd marria.e with tairer prospect
of felicity.
1t was the misfortune of my friend, however,
to have embarked his property in large spccu,
lation> and he had not been married many
months, when, by Il Succession of sudden dSas-
tiers, it was swept from him and he found him,
self reduced almost to popury, F"U time he
kept his situation to himself and went about
with haggard countenancc, and breaking
heart. His life was but protractcd agony;
and what rendered it more insupportable WAS
the necessity Of keeping nr smile in the pre-,