The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-11-01
Not Appreciated. A
BY T. s. ARTR U R.

had fallen by the way, ere life's meridi
an was reached, and left husband ant
children to sorrow that mocks for
time at consolation. Seven years sh,
had been a wife-six years mother
and now, lonely hearted man anC
three motherless ones were left in tn,
dwelling where the sunshine of he
loving presence would never again ap
pear.
Mr.. Newcomb was sadder MAI
now, than when he followed, grieving
the palid coffin to its final resting place
And there was reasons why his hear
should feel deeper depression. A few
friends and neighbors had returned
with him from the place of graves, anG
they had fingered for short time il
the desolate rooms, speaking togethel
in muff1ed tones of the departed, an6
those she had left behind her. Tive
women talked in this wise; and it sc
happened that Mr.. Newcomb heard
every word. They talked in one of the
upper chambers, but he was sitting in
one of the adjoining rooms and their
voices came in through an open window
and smote his ears with intolerable
pain.
"Poor Alice," said one, ''it's blessed
release to her."
"But dreadful loss to her children >
was answered. ''Dear little babies
My heart aches for them! And / pity
Mr.. Newcomb also. 1t is great loss
to him, though he never did rightly ap.
preciate her, poor thing"
81 can't getmuch sympathy for him, u
said the other, sit isn't much use to try.
His wife wasn't appreciated as you say.
He did not understand her disposition,
nor give her credit for the virtues she
possessed. She was faithful and sensi.
tive-so sensitive that the slightest
word of unkindness was as a painful
stroke"
Sand that reminds me Of one of the
bad habits he INDUCED in, of bantering
her in company, and showing off her
little faults or peculiarities," said the
other. 81 have been so provoked with
him that / could with difficulty keep
my tongue from reproach."
"She was plain; and l think this an:
noyed him sometimes"
"Plain! The beauty of her pure
spirit was ever shining through her
face, and if his eyes were not clear
enough to see it, he was unworthy OF
her.
"She was not always as bright as
some other women; and it always
struck me that he INDUCED in deprecia.
ting contrasts"
"She was good, true faithful and low.
ing" was answered, s'and these are
better qualities in wife than mere bril-
lianey. Do you remember that evening
at Mrs. Bottoms, about a year ago
He fiirted with pretty Miss Gardner,
who had nothing but her face to recon.
mend her."
81 recollect. 1t lowered him in my
good opinion. / don't like to see mar
ried men too particular in their atten-
tions to snowy young girls"
"Nor /. Well, / happened to catch
the expression of Mrs. Newcomb's face
while her husband was standing at the
piano turning the music while Miss
Gardner sang. She was looking at
him. Oh, it was inexpressly sad. A
little while after turned to the place
where she had been sitting all alone
she was not there. sWhat ails Mrs.
Newcomb?' l heard a lady ask, some
minutes,later. "Dear knows!" was the
almost pettish reply. 'She gone of
up stairs to have cry all to herself
something's gone wrong, l suppose.
She's hard body to get on with. ]
pity her husband" pitied her, poor
child, for | could understand her heart
He always went into company without
his wife, and if you asked for her, there
was always an air, or tone or expires.
sion in his facethat made youfeel as if he
did not regard her as of much conse.
quenoe. "Where is Mrs. Newcomb
you would inquire. She dosn't 60
out or she's queer little home body,
or the baby's SICK or she dosn't enjoy
company These were the reasons he
would give. 1t has been on my lips a
dozen times to answer, why don't you
stay at home and keep her company !?
And | wish now that had. 1t Nigh,
have quickened in him a perception Of
duty, and cause few more rays Of
light to fall on her not always sunny
pathwavs