Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-27
THE TRUE WIFE.
BY VIRGINIA F. TOWNSEND.


showed that it had struck and hurt her.
She was scalloping child's skirt, and the
needlework had followed her rapid fingers
along the flannel like a line of snowy foam
but now the work tel, unheeded, to the
floor.
"Ah, John, has it come to that 2" ask
ed Nary, the wife of John Malcolm and
the soft bloom in her cheeks vanished
away, and the words were spoken with
kind OF gasp, as though just beneath them
ley mighty swell and rush of feelings
that well nigh overpo~ered her voice.
Eyes, Mary, it must come. God knows
rve struggled as herd as man could TO
weather The storm, and | could have done
it, too, if those Western houses hadn't
gone under. But they II carry US with it,"
:" can't realize it yet, john" she said,
locking at him in q lalt-beWlldered, half
frightened way, that was pltitul to see
the shock, tor the moment, had half stun
ned her.
so, Mary, it was hardest for your
sake - and the words came In a sharp
eroan which is terrible to hear from the
lips or a strong man. The tones reused
her at once iuto a toll consciousness of
what had befalen them, and of the part
she must bear in it.
"Don't John don't take it SO bard,n
her voice struggling up through a sob in o
note of Entertainers, and her lips fash
ioniug smile, which, though weak at
first, YOU felt certain would grow stronger.
all The stronger each moment, jdst as you
feel the sweet promise of the day when
the first faint sunbeams struggle weakly
cat OF the mornings mist.
:" could have borne up, Mary, if it
hadn't been for on and the children but
that thought cuts me to the core-it's
more than | can bear"
And for the first time the young wife
and mother heard sob from the lips of
her hubsbaud, as ne bowed down on the
arm OF his chair. The pride OF his man
hood gave way at last, and John Malcolm
wept like little child. hen the womau's
heart, the woman's power to cheer, and
comfort, and strengthen, reused them
selves the waves went over her but one
moment, aud then Mary Malcolm forgot
herself, and rose up to the height or her
true wumanhood--to the eXaltation of
self sacrifice.
John" said the soft, brave voice,
"don't say that again. Let everything
else fail the heart of your wife never
will"
And now she had come close 10 him,
and he ielt her small arms abont his neck,
and her head lay on his shoulder, as ten
der as confding 20 in their days of ght-
est prosperity. Ali through one day he
had been looking forward to this honr,
and shrinking away from 1t; and once or
twice-God forgive him-he had glanced
out of his Office window to the river,
which rolled its dark, sullen waters in the
distance, and fierce temptation had rush
ed over hiui, TO drop everything and hur-
ry out there and bury all his pain and an
guish under the dark, crumpied sheet of
water. But john. in his secret distress,
knew that the temptation was the voice OF
the devil entering into his soul he was a
man VINO feared God and kept his com
mandnents-he put the temptation aside.
The young husband had not doubted
his wate's heart for moment but he eI
pccted to see her almost stricken to the
earth, with the first tidings OF the ruin OF
the house in which he was the heaviest
partner He knew that her youth had
been nurtured in all the grace and luxury
that wealth conters, and he feared the
thought of going into the chill and dark
utSS vi poNSltS. liz NV IoOhSu 1pA
loud lamentations, or bitter reproaches,
but he dreaded the silent tears, the mute
despair of the white face.
So John Malcomb raised his hot face,
stained with the tears that were shed for
her sake, and looked into the eyes OF his
wite: and she answered him with a smile
that set her tace in a new sacreGness and
beauty to her husbands eye-a smile so
sweet and tender to him, SO brave and de
faint for the worst the world could do tor
them, and it said to him al once all that
her words would, and could not.
"Ah, Mary, my wife" said the mer-
chant, Il thought when | came into my
house an hour ago, that | was ruined
man; feel now as though l was very
rich one.' ~,
"Ruined, with me and the children
John 2" and now there was some liant re-
proach in her voice; but she chung closer
to lin.
but, Mary, poor child you don't know
what it is to be poor, to give up SO lnucu
of grace and luxury, to which you nave
been accustomed .
"Yo saw that, John, before you've tried
me, and seen what springs OF courage ana
powers of selfsacritce there are III iDy
nature"
The noble words had flung emphasis
in the sweet smile-in the steadiast, daunt'
less tones.
"But we shall have to give up the house,
Mary"
well, we can feel just as happy in 6
smaller one. Our love has broader
foundation than stately rooms and costly
furniture. Wen take cosy little cottage
somewhere in the country, and Tor three
servants get along with one"
Hearing these words, John Malcolm
looked at his wife; but he did not say
then what was in bis beart-a thanksgiv'
ing to God for the angel he had sent to
walk with him. BE took her hand and
held it close in HE, while he told her of a
temptation which had beset him before
the failure OF his house became certain-a
temptation by yield ng to which he could
have saved himself from failure. But it
must have been by dishonest means, by
taking advantage of Others in his power.
in short, by fraud, which, though mans
laws never could reach, Gods did, with