The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-30
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THE WIFE.
have often had occasion to remark the
fortitude with which women sustain the
most overwhelming Teverscs of fortune.
Those disasters which break down the
spirit Of man and PROSTATE him in the
dust, seem to call forth all the energies Of
the softer sex, and give such intrepidity
and elevation to their character, that at
times it approaches subiimity. Nothing
can be more touching than to behold u
soft and tender female, who had been all
weakness and dependence, and alive to
every trivial roughncss while trcading the
prosperous paths Of life, suddenly rising
in mental force to be the comforter and
supporter Of her husband under misfor-
tune, and abiding with unshrinking firm
ness, the bittcrest blast Of adversely.
AS the vine which has long twincd its
graceful foliage about the oak, and been
lifted by it in sunshine, will, when the
hardy plant is ritlcd by the thunderbolt,
cling round it with its carrcssing tendrlls
ami bind up its shattered boughs; so is it
beautifully ordered by Providence, that
woman, who is the mere dependent and
ornament Of man in his happier hours,
should be his stay and solace when smit-
ten with sudden calamity; winding herself
into the rugged rccesscs Of his nature,
trndcrly supporting the dropping head,
and binding up the broken heart
was once congrntulatlng a friend, who
had around him blooming family, knit
together in the strongest affection. :"
cant wish you no better lot" said he,
with enthusiasm, "than to have wife
aud children. X IL you are prosperous,
there they are to share YOUR prosperity; if
otherwise, there they are to comfort you. "
And, indeed, have observed that mar
ricl man falling into misfortune is more
apt to retrieve his situation in the world
than single one partly because he is
more stimulated to cxertiOn by the neces-
stics Of the helpless aud beloved beings
who depend upon him for subsistence; but
chiefly because his spirits are soOthcd and
relieved by domestic cndcarments, and his
>,if respect kept alive by finding that,
! though all abroad is darkness and humii.
alton, yet there is still little world Of
love at home, Of which he is the monarch.
Whereas a single man is apt to run to
waste and sclf.neglcct; to fancy himself
lonely and abandoned, aud his heart to fall
to ruin like some deserted mansion for
want Of an inhabitant.
| These observations call to mind little
domestic story, Of which ] was once wit
ness. Ny intimate friend, Leslie, had mar
ricd beautiful and accomplished girl, who
had been brought up in the midst of fash
ionable life. She had, it is true, no for
tune, but that Of my friend was ample ;
and he delighted in the anticipation Of in
tlulging her in every elegant pursuit, and
administering to those delicate tastes and
iancics that spread kind Of witchcry
about the sex. Her liic," said he, "shall
be like fairy tale"
The very difference in their characters
produced a harmonious combination he
was Of romantic and somewhat serious
cast; she was all life and gladncss. have
often noticed the mute rapture with which
he would gaze upon her in company, Ol
which her sprightly powers made her the
delight; and now, in the midst Of applause,
her eye would turn TO him as if there
alone she sought favor and acceptance
When leaning Oh his arm, her slender form
contrasted finely with his tall manly per.
son. The fond confiding air with which
she looked up to him seemed to call forth
flush of triumphant pride and cherish
ing tenderness, as if he dotted on his lovely
burden for its very helplessness. Never
did couple set forward on the fOwery
path Of carly and well-suited marriage
with fairer prospect Of felicity.
1t was the misfortune of my friend,
however, to have embarked his property
in large speculationS; and he had not been
married many months, when, by success
sion Of sudden disasters, it was swept from
him, and he found himself reduced almost
to penury. For time he kept his situa.
ton to himself, and went about with hag.
gard countenance and breaking heart.
Ills life was but protracted agony and
what rendered it more insupportablc was
the keeping up smile in the presence ol
his wife; for he could not bring himself to
overwhelm her with the news. She saw,
however, with the quick eyes Of affection,
that all was not well with him. She mark
ed his altered looks and stiAed sighs, and
was not to be deceived by his sickly and
vapid attempts at cheerlulnesS. She task.
ed all her sprightly powers and tender
Establishments to win him back to haPpi'
ness; but she only drove the arrow deeper
into his soul. Tho more he saw cause to
love her, the more torturing was the thO'I
that he was soon to make her wretched.
A little while, thought he, and the smile
will vanish from her cheek-the song will
die away from those lips, the lustre Of
those eyes will be quenched with sorrow;
and the happy heart which now beats
lightly in that bosom, will be weighed
down like mine by the cares and miseries
Of the world.
At length he came to me one day and
related his whole situation in tone of the
deepest despair. When had heard him
through inquired, "Does your wife know
all this ?"
At the question he burst into an agony
of tears.
"For Gods sake!" cried he, "if you
have any pity on me, don't mention my
wife; it is the thought Of her that drives
me almost to madness !"
"And why notg" said I. "She must
know it sooner or later you cannot keep
it long from her, and the intelligence may
break upon her in more startling man
ner than if impaired by yourself; for the
accents of those VIC love soften the hard
est t;dings. Besides, you are depriving
yourself Of the comforts OF her sympathy
and not merely that, but also cndangeriDs
the only bond that can keep hearts tOgeth
er-an unreserved community of thought
and feeling. She will soon perceive thai
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