Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-04-13

morning without trepldatlon. lie had
made the disclosure.
"And now did she bear it 2"
"Like an angel 1t seemed rather to
be relief to her mind, for she threw
her arms around my neck, and asked if
this was all that had lately made me I'M
happy. But poor girl" added he, "she
cannot realize the change we must under
60. She has no idea of poverty but in
the abstract; she has only read of it in
poetry, where it is allied to love. She
feels as yet no privation, she suffers no
loss of accustomed conveniences nor ele-
gancies. When we come practically to
experience its sordid cares, its paltry
wants, its petty humiliations--then will
be the real trial"
But" said l, "now that you have
got over the severest task, that Of break
ing it to her, the sooner you let the world
into the secret the better. The disclo-
sure may be Notifying; but then it is
a single misery, and sooner over; where
as you otherwise suffer it, in anticipation,
every hour in the day. 1t is not poverty
SO much as pretence, that harnesses a
ruined mantle struggle between a
proud mind and empty purse--the keep
ing up hollow show that must soon
come to an end. Have the courage to
appear poor and you disarm poverty of
its sharpest sting" On this point found
Leslie perfectly prepared. He had no
false pride himself, and as to his wife,
she was only anxious to conform to their
altered fortunes.
Some days afterward he called upon
me in the evening. He had disposed of
his dwelling house and taken cottage
in the country few miles from town.
He had been busy all day in sending out
furniture. The new establishment re-
CURED few articles, and those Of the SIM
plest kind. Alt tie furniture Of his late
residence had been sold except his wife's
harp. That, he said, was too closely
associated with herself; it belonged to
the little story Of their lives. | could
not but smile at this instance Of roman
tic gallantry in a doting husband. lie
was now going out to the cottage, where
his wife had been all day experimenting
its arrangements. Ny feelings had be.
come strongly interested in the progress
Of this family story, and, as it was a fine
evening, | offered to accompany him.
| He was weary with the fatigues of til,
day, and, as he walked out, fell into {
fit Of gloomy musing.
" Poor Mary p at length broke, with
a heavy sigh, from his lips.
"And what of her p asked I; "has
anything happened to her?''
WHAT" said he, darting an impa-
tient glance, "is it nothing to be reduced
to this paltry situation-to be Gagged in a
miserable cottage-to be obliged to toll
almost in the mental concerns of her
wretched habitationi''
"Has she, then, repined at the changer
"Repined she has been nothing but
sweetness and good humor. Indeed she
seems in better spirits than / have ever
known her; she has been to me all love,
and tenderness, and comfortw
admirable grip exclaimed L.
You coll yourself poor, my friend +; you
never knew the boundless treasure Of
excellence you possess in that woman"
ooh! but, my friend, if this first
meeting at the cottage were over, l think
/ could then be comfortable. But this
is her first day of real experience she
has been introduced into an humble dwell
ing-she has been employed all day in
arranging its miserable equipments-sh
has, for the first time, known the fatigues
of domestic cmployment-shes has, for
the first time, looked round her on a
home destitute of everything elegant
almost of everything convenient; and
may now be sitting down, exhausted add
spiritless, >brooding over prospect Of
future poverty"
There was degree Of probability in
this picture that could not gainsay,
so we walked on in silence.
After turning from the main road up
q narrow lane, so tLickly shaded with
forest trees as to give it a complete
air Of seclusion, we came in sight Of the
cottage IL was humble enough in ap-
pearance for the most pastoral poet, and
yet it had pleasing rural look. A
wild vine had overrun one end with a
profusion of foliage; few trees threw
their branches gracefully over IL; and
I observed several pots Of flowers taste
fully disposed about the door, and on the
grass lot in front. A small gate opened
upon foot path that wound through
some sbrubbery to the door. Just as VIC
approached, we heard the sound of music
Leslie grasred my arm-we paused
and listened. 1t was Mary's voice sing
ing, in a style Of the most touching sim
plicity, little air of which her husband
was peculiarly fond.
/ felt Leslie's hand tremble on my arm.
lie stepped forward to hear more dis
tinctly His step made noise on the
gravel walk. A bright beautiful face
glanced out at the window, and vanished
"a light footstep was heard-and Mary
came tripping forth to meet us; she was
in pretty rural dress of white, few
wild flowers were twisted in her fine hair;
fresh bloom was on her check her
whole countenance beamed with smiles
Il had never seen her look so lovely.
"My dear George" cried she, II am
so glad you're come Ihave been watch
ing and watching for you; and running
down the lane, and looking out for you.
I've been gathering some Of the most de-
licious strawberries, for know you are
fond Of them-and we have such ex-
cellent cream--and everything 10 so still