Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-19
DEPARTURES.
Nnils Close
From the Springfield Republican.
when n wife should be at Home.

Having furnished some acceptable hints
with regard to the absence of husbands, we
would discuss that obvious correlative, the
presence of wives. The wife is the recognized
mistress of the household, but it by no means
follows that she should never pass beyond its
limits. There are some desirable things that
cannot be found to any adequate extent in
even the best appointed homes. The window
may admit sunshine, but not in the rejoicing
floods that gladden. the open street. The best
ventilated dwelling has not the absolute
freshness of the free air of heaven. The
wife may 90 out for light and air, and also
for her little round of social duties of friendship
or benefcence. She may 90 out for mer-
chandise and marketing, as the motherhood
explores every nook for the snug upholstery
that lines her nest, and the dainty morsels for
which the birdlings fiutter and call. She may
90 out, too, as the robin does, for food for her.
self; that she may return with clearer mind
and larger heart, fresher cheek and more
elastic step yea, in some instances, where
such an improvement is possible, with a more
equable temper than before. For these pur-
poses the prayer meeting, the lecture, the con-
cert, the S0iree and sewing-circle are not to be
despised. But all these wandrings should be
+ subordinate and occasional the exception and
not the rule
A wife should, as far as possible, be present
at meals. 1t is her privilege to preside at these
domestic reunions, and however temptingly
the viands may be prepared and served, they
lose half their relish if the queen OF the feast
is absent The presence of pretty woman
adds as much to the enjoyment of culinary
comforts as to DR.. Johnson's favorite amuse-
ment of riding In a post-chaise. The dark
hours, they are seasons set apart for wife's
peculiar reign. The ancients defined night
as a goddess, and worshiped her as the mother
of all things-of gods, as well as man. The
moon is feminine in her ministries, whether
lighting the path of whispering lovers, or
blessing the couch where weary children sleep.
And within doors the house mother, as the
Germans beautifully call her, accepts her po-
sition as the recognized queen of night She
knows, too, that her presence makes all the
difference between home and hotels; that the
house was built for her, as the cage is con-
structed for the bird, the pedestal for the
statue, or the frame for the picture She
only leaves 1t that she NAV return more
worthy OF its homage, that she NAV add fresh
brightness to Its sunshine, and warmth and
purity 10 Its air.
Ii Is her privilege to be present in sickness,
and whenever there is aid to render or sorrow
to relieve. Ii is true there are some women
of abnormal development, who stitch thrifty
at sewing circles, while buttons are missing
and pockets treacherous, and gloves and
hosiery yawning with lpless mouths at home;
just as there are some very young persons
who show greater readiness 10 nurse soldiers
in hospital than a solitary member of the
Home Guard who is only father or brother.
But these are mere freaks and eccentricties.
The true wife Is at home wherever home
would be the happier for her presence. She
sleeps quietly through the small hours, when,
possibly the returning wanderer blesses ber
unconscious face. She welcomes the first sun
beam, when her husband, though physically
present is vet mentally exploring. with his
elder and unpresentable brother, the far-off
land of Nod. Nor can ii be that she is un-
duly severe upon morning dreams, since 'her
children rise up and call her blessed. her hus-
band also. and he praiseth her"