Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-03-28

some mother should err, that she should be un-
Just with me, or uncharitabe to any one, was
impossible. was the culprit. Prejudiced and
blinded, / misconstruod her motives, doubted
her good will, mstook kindness for interference,
and parental s'licitude tor captious advice.
SO said Arthur my husband few days after
the above conversation knew he had been
with his mother; his changed manner told the
story and also was as certain that war was
declared between that lady and myself, as that
she was in her hfty-sixth year. From this pc
riod my real troubles commenced. Scenes sim
liar to the one that opens this sketch, occurred
too often. The veriest trihe made capital for
her generaship. The appearance OF hand
some set of jewelry on my dressin '-table had
induced the charge of extravaganza, as will be
rccollected ] knew very well to what she al
luded, but pride kept me silent. Her politely
pryng eyes had spied the ornaments, which l
had borrowed of my friend, Annie, for a pur
pose, and designedly placed them where they
could be seen. She asked no questions, |
offered no explanations. She turned the dis
covery to my disadvantage, and Arthur blindly
fell into the maternal trap. lie had more con-
fidence in his mother than in his wife. Was |
right in submitting 10 WI, was daily becoming
more unbearableP
For the first ime, ! spoke to Arthur un-
reservedly upon the subject He was shocked
at my boldness, and | was indignant and ag
grieved at his injustice. did not fail to allude
to the great vexation of my life-our indebted
ness to Mrs. Burney for the means of ex-
istence. | was so sensitive on this point, that
had not used a farthing Of her money, except
when imperitively necessary, and then much
against my will. How unlikely then, that l
should supply myself with ornaments at her ex-
pense
Arthur could not or would not see the deli
cacy of our position. If Mrs Burney was not
selfish or grudgng, why need complaint If
we had money, what mattered it where it came
from? lie had no sympathy with such fasti-
dious squeamishness, and begged me to be con-
tented, and try to please his mother.
arthur" l said, trying to be patient, "let
us make an effort for independence. This
is such slavish life that my very soul
rebels against it. l shall be contented with
little, if it is all our own the most modest
place will satisfy me. You are not stupid; |
know that you have more than common talent,
and will succeed in your profession, if you on
ly persevere. Do try, Arthur, for my sake. l
am so miserable here"
"Fiddlesticks You know, Ellen, that hate
to work when I'm not obliged to. You have
brooded yourself into a weak, morbed state of
you unhappy Don't you have everything you
desire DO you want new dress? Here's
the money"
A new dress Why is it that a man be-
lieyes woman has arrived at the ne Plus ultra
of uman happiness when she receives a new
dressP One would suppose her feelings were
made of cotton, silk, or wool, and fuctuated
with the rise and fall of those staples. 1t is {
poor compliment TO our sex, when certain
quantity of brocade is expected TO be healing
ointment for a wounded spirit.
1t was useless to talk with Arthur. My
suggestions only irritatcd him, and won hin
more completely to the other side. TO dc
him Justice, do not think he had any concep
ton how intolerablc this life was becoming tt
me- l had no fault to find with him eXcep
in this particular; he was kind, in his way
and, | believe, really loved me but Mrs Bur
ney had thoroughly magnetizcd him into tn
belief Of my weakness and incapacty, that
foresaw my emancipation from this hateful
thradom would have to be accomplished b.
myself alone; not gradually (the lady was to-
sage diplomist to leave any assailable point
cxposed,) but by decisive step. She certain
" had the advantage in the game; she pos
sesscd all the "honors," ana the "lcad" int
the bargain. She had position and wealth
nothing, save brave heart, good concenct
and will as indomitable as her own, whe
once aroused.
We we were polite to each other-my hus
bands mother and but not a whit less al
tagonistic in feeling. Very warily she studdie
me equally as prudently l watched her, an
bded my time. 1t came anon, and in th
way.
"Mother has purchased handsome hous
in - Avenue, and has invited us to boar
with her." announced Arthur. 81 think "
shall enjoy it much. Her taste is exquisite
furnishing The rooms fitted up for us ar
elegant, she tells me-"
"Mrs Burney very good" l quietly al
: swered, without looking up.
: "Mrs Burney is very goodH" mimmcke
Arthur petulantly.
} "Is that all you have to such splendid o
fer? 1t occurs to me, Ellen, that the favor
too much upon one side to be received so mol
; chaantly."
81 do not esteem it a favor, Arthur, to
permitted to live with your mother"
r My liege opened both eyes to their utmo
! extent, as he listened to this mutnous remar
$ perhaps you will explain yourself, NJ
A BurneyP"
"Wilingly. Your mother and myself mu
= live apart why, you already know. ! am so
p, ry to say anything to wound you, for she
y your only parent, and, no doubt, loves yol
t but she does not love me nor"
o "And please inform me to whom you are i
n debted for your present home?" he interrupte
e rather haughtly
"To your mother, blush to say" reto
|, ted.
ais it wise to offend her. Ellen? P"
,. "Yes, and no. No, in worldly sense, l
Il cause she has wealth to give or retain; yes,
a womanly sense, because my own selfhood al
d freedom are of more value to me than gold.
It is wiser to offend her than sacrifice our ha
piness. hope you understand me, Arthur
Is Il understand that you are saying very fo
sh things"
% but am serious | was never more
H. earnest in my life | cannot go with you; l
rs it is not my duty"
Before speaking so emphatically, let /
Sc advise you to give the subject thought. l
S, not consider your remarks worthy momen
o. consideration. They are pucrile and childisl
III had anticipated ridicule, anger, censu
| recrimination, maybe, but not contempt, fro
er my husband. His unkind words cut me
the soul, and stirred up the fountains of bitt
I'd ness within me. was woman, not chill
of reasoning human being, not an automat,
to be turned this way and that, with no CO
lg cious volition of my own. had rights, and
m asserted them, then and there, in a mann
r. that did not admit of misapprehension.
asked no favor, and expected none. Stro
he in my integrity, declared my fixed resolve
alt free myself from this seryile dependence
was for him to choose which he would sustain
he wife or mother.