The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-12
From the Home Monthly.
A PLEA FOR WORDS.

| From the Home Monthly.
A PLEA FOR WORDS.
We have not been as happy as we expect
cd To be, Mr.. 0yerton and !, though neither
of us acknowledge il to the other. We low
ed each other as dcyotcdly, though serious
ly and properly, us most married people do
We were not better than the rest OF civilized
humanity, and, if the truth must be told
we thanked God that We were no worse,
We were trine romantic in our natures
though both stroye, for very shame, to hide
this little default in our mental construction,
Yes, it must be fault, else why should the
blood tingle up to the very roots of my
brown hair, and to the edges OF Mr.. Over
tons whisi ers, and over his broad white
forehead, when some some sudden event
lot down the food gates If feeling, and per-
nit unawares the expression OF emotion to
flow forth in sweet quick stream OF words.
| Mr.. 0yerton said " my dear" sounded very
we'll II spoken to child, but it was excess
lively mawkish if addressed to husband and
wife; and us for Z" my love-" and other ap-
pellatives, they were simply detestable. II
he thought SO, and said 50, why of course !
said so, and thought so too. l insisted that
true affection could not be heightened, or
the counterfeit made to have its true ring by
keying it to pet names, and was right but
then, n,-ncyer mind, I'll 60 on with my talk.
Let me see-our golden wedding comes OF
Michaelmas, Just six months from now. and
it don't seem SO very long to look back to
the first one, except over that stretch OF days
when we were parted at heart, and that ID
more to sce across than all the rest.
! | remember when Daniel OyertOn first
asTed me to marry him, but | cannot re-
member the time when knew | was to be
his wife by signs, and not by any expires.
sion of words. In fact he never syllabled
any love for me, but showed me simple and
commonplace attentions, which, by the Gus
toms and usages of our undemonstratiye New
Englanders. meant to show forth prefer
ance of my society that should be perpetual.
| was content, because, except in tho few
novels | had read, either surrcptitiously OF
under protest. did not know what the word
wrong meant. Sometimes, 1t is true, ra-
thcr wished might have been one OF those
mythical heroines, but would as soon have
expected to possess tho mill and pumpkin
from from which Cinderella's coach sprung,
when she was in need Of it.
NV father had never kissed me since was
in long clothes, and my mother, certainly
not after my second teeth, and yet never
thought of doubling their affection, nor
could have done 80 had | striyen ever 30
hard. said | remembered when Daniel
asked me to marry him; but | meant only
when he inquired what day and month the
ceremony should take place. suppose l
blushed, but did not do rs modern and
perhaps wiser girls would under the circum-
stances, hide the rose color in his buff vest.
Ofcourse fixed the date couple of years in
tho future OF the question. and compromised
with six weeks. because Daniel had pur-
chased house, and it was empty, and ought
to have an occupant to care for 1t. No 9TH
or reason was urged, ind none was needed.
We were practical, and had puritanic blood,
and were simply severe in our styles OF ex-
preston. by severe mean just what artists
do by the word.
did sometimes dream what he might
have said If we had been poets instead of
people, but never once iancicd 1t possible
to say such things with every day tongues
like ours. To be sure, on very dark nights
when lay awake planning the 'trousseau'
which New England girls always get up
for themselves and which are prepared from
year to year, from the time of expertncss
with the needle, as long as there Is any rcas-
enable prospect OF marriage. But as l said,
on very dark nights. when the new pattern
was decided on, held imaginary CONVERSE
tions with Daniel, during which the sweet
est sweetness | had ever drained from deep
draughts from my two books of poetry were
made to pour from his lips into my ears. i
always felt little awed at myself for this,
and accused myself of sacrilege in high do
gree, but nevertheless il was common and
intense enjoyment.
| Well, we were married. and our friends
kissed me because IL was the custom, and
wished pleasant things for us in terms which
varied not in words but in tones; there was
thrill and pathos easily distinguished by
ears eager for love and its expressions, albeit
they must not come in words.
All Daniel said to me rs his first saluta-
ton was
"Molly, ] hope you won't repent 1t. "and
I replied saucily, though my heart was full
of tenderness, and / feared it would slip OF
at the top OF my tongue.
"If do, shall take good care that you
do also," and we went to dinner in the re-
Gently purchased house. When | arrived
there, found the new striped carpet had
been put down wrong side up, and while my
own domestic was putting aside tho dinner.
raised the tacks and Daniel and reversed
ii. / doubt If any modern men or women
who started for Nahant, Newport or the
White Mountlins, spent plcasanter after
noon than we did after that solemn cere.
lnony, which made us say We loved each 9TH
er when we had never dared make words Of
II before. We did not speak Of our new re
lations at all, but all the hoping, dreaming,
planning OF the future was hushed, but
burning silently in both our thoughts.
BY and by there was curtained room and
pretty cradle, and noiseless feet, and fee
BILE voice unheard on earth before, and was
so happy in the dim room. Mr.. Overton
came in softly many, many times q day. for
getting his hurry and commercial interests,
and always ieigned sleep. and then ] learned
how alike wo were he parted the curtains
aud looked at me and sighed. and kissed me
ever so softly; In fact, could hardly tell II
II was his lips or his breath that swept my
check. and onco he said
"Aiolly," but did not answer him and
he pcered about the room 10 BE- sure no one
was there, and then he swept my lips again
and called mo "white lIly," and said "Poor
birdie can't sing now, it'sso weary and faint;
God help you to your strength again = and