Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-21
M ISCELL A N Y.
From Washington Irving's Sketch Book.
The Wife.

| ne w He
The treasures of the deep are not so precious
AS the concealed comforts of man
Locked UP in womans love. Iscent the air
| Ofbiessings when l come but near the house
What delicious breath marriage sends forth
The violet bed is not sweeter. MIDDLEToN.J
| have often had occasion to remark the for
titude with which women sustain the most over
whelming reverses of fortune. Those disasters
which break down the spirit of man and pros
trate him ia the dust, seem to call forth all the
energies OF the softer sex, and give such intre-
pidity and elevation to the character, that at
times it approaches to subimitv. Nothing can
be more touching than to behold a soft and gen.
tie female who had been all weakness and de-
pendence, and alive to every trivial roughness,
while treading the prosperous paths of life, sud-
denly rising in mental force to be the comforter
and support OF her husband under misfortune,
and abiding, with unshrlnkiDg frmEess, the Bit
ter blasts vi adversely.
AS tie vine which has long twined its grace
lul luliage about the oak, and been lifted by it
INTO sunshine, will, when the hardy plant Is
riited by the tLunderbolt, cling around it with
.ts caressing tendrils, and bind up its shattered
boughs, 50 it is beautifully ordered by Provi-
depce that woman, who is the mere dependent
and ornament OF man in his happier hours,
should be bis stay and solace when smltten with
ged recesses of his nature, tenderly supporting
,ne dropping head, and binding up the broken
heart.
was once congratulating a friend, who had
around him a blooming family, knit together in
the strongest affection. II can wish you no
better lot" said he, with enthusiasm, ''than to
nave wife aud children. Ii you are prosper
Gus, there they are to share your prosperity; it
otherwise, there they are to comfort you."-
and, indeed, have observed that married
uan falling into misfortune Is more apt to re
trieve his situation in the world than q single
one partly because he is more stimulated to
exerton by the necessities OF the helpless and
beloved beings who depend upon him for sub
sistence; tut chiefly because his spirits are
,ootbed aud relieved by domestic eDdearments,
and his self respect kept alive by finding, that
Jhough all abroad is darkness and Illumination,
vet there is still little world of love at home,
of which he is the monarch. Whereas single
man is apt to run to waste and self-neglect, to
fancy himself lonely and abandoned. and his
heart to tall to ruin like some deserted mansion,
for want Of an inhabitant.
These observations call to mind a little do
,nestic story of which | was once a witness
My intimate friend, Leslie, had married beau
tifu 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 antic-
ipation of indulging her in every elegant pur-
suit. aud administering to those delicate tastes
aud fancies that spread kind OF witchery a.
bout the SEX "Her life, said he, "shall be like
iairy tale"
The very difference 10 their characters pro-
duced an harmonious combinations he was of q
romantic aud somewhat serious cast; she was
all lite and gladness. | have often noticed she
mute rapture with which he would gaze upon
her in company, of which her sprightly powers
made her the delight; aud 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 Con-
trasted finely with his tall, manly person. The
fond, contidiug air with which she looked up to
him seemed to Gail forth flush of triumphant
pride and cherishing tenderness, as if he doated
on his lovely burden for its very helpessness.-
Never did a couple set forward on the fowery
path OF early and wel-suited marriage with a
tairer prospect Of felicity.
It was the misfortune of my friend, however,
to have embarked bis property in large specu-
lations; and he had not been married many
months, when, by a succession Of sudden disas-
ters, it was swept from him, and he found him
sell reuuceu allnoSt 10 penury. For time he
kept his situation to himself, and went about
with haggard countenance and a breaking
heart. His life was but protracted agony, and
what rendered it more insupportable was the
necessity of keeping up smile in the presence
Of bis wife, for he could not bring himself tc
overwhelm her with the news. She saw, how
ever, with the quick eyes of affection, that all
was not well with him. She marked his altered
looks and stif1ed sighs, and was not to be de-
ceived by his siekly and vapid attempts at
cheerfulness. She tasked all her sprightly pow
ers and tender Establishments to win him back
to happiness; but she only drove the arrow