Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-03-13
For the Standard.
She Always made Home Happy.

Such was the brief but impressive
sentence which a friend added to an
obituary notice of 'one who had gone be-
fore. What better tribute could be Of
fered to the memory of the loved and
Iost2 Eloquence with her loftiest eulo-
gy poesy with her thrilling dirge, could
afford nothing SO sweet, so touching, so
suggestive of the virtues of the dead as
those simple words, 'She always made
home happy. Hear this, mothers, wives
and daughters, and think of your own
duty. How many could have the same
said of them in truthfuluess and SINGER
Iity ?
Ask that woman whose splendid resi-
dence attracts the gaze of every passer
by. Thousands have been lavished on
those imposing walls, long colonades and
high arched windows and now and then
you obtain glimpse of costly hanging,
rich carpets and tall mirrors, which daz-
zle you with their magnifcence. Per-
haps you pause moment and look wish
fully in through the half closed blinds,
murmur to yourself as you pass on, i
should think the possessor of all this
might enjoy this. But you are sadly
mistaken. The dove of peace never
folds her white wings by that fireside.-
The gentle spirit Of content never sheds
her holy influence there. The master
of the mansion, though in his prime,
seems prematurely old. There is an ex-
preston Of habitual suffering around his
firmly compressed lips, and his broad
brow bears many trace Of care. All
there is a vulture at bis heart, which,
like the hero of an oIden story, he would
fain conceal.
Ten years ago he married beautiful
girl, with a thousand pleasant visions
of domestic quietude and bliss. But his
dream half faded: the rosy hue of ro-
nance is lost in the cold, gray dawn Of
bitter reality. His wife presides over
his household with surprising graceful
ness. She is the idol of society and the
leader of fashion. She goes and comes
through the spacious halls dressed in
garments that might beft a queen. She
gives brilliant dinners where she shines
the brightest star, and parties which ev.
cry body pronounces charming But
she is never the kind. devoted eonnPan-
ion-the loving, trusting helpmate, shar
ing every JOY and sorrow; cheering him
when he desponds, and counselling in
trials rnd perplexities with winning deli
cacy and tenderness. In short, she new
err makes her home happy.
But it is not alone to the frivolous
that our subject speaks the language of
reproof and instruction there are others
te whom it may be applied with equal
force. Ask the would-be reformer of the
10Th century, whose lofty aim was to
step beyond her appropriate sphere, how
she performed her duty in this respect n
She was often seen in the hall and lee |
ture room where strife and confusion
presided. Her voice was heard wiring
ing out in defence on the rights Of our
sex. She took long and tedious journeys
in behalf Of the cause she had espoused. |
You might hear her talk enthusiastically
of all that is pure and elevating in wo-
mans mission and sublime in her destiny.
Indeed, she appeared ready to suffer any
hardshps of privation, if she could only
aid in the glorious work of redeeminc
oppressed females from their terrible
th-aldom. But you do not find her the
bright presiding genius of home Her
smile and cheerful welcome do not greet
her husband when be returns from his
daily toll Her hand never draws his
arm chair to that favorite place. Her
society cannot charm away bis weari-
ness and make him forget his cares
When he is i'll, she is seldom near to
smooth her pillow, or battle his fevered
brow, or whisper hope and consolation.
Can it be that she, with all her preten-
ed regards for the best interests of hu-
mainly, ever realizes her own response
bility Alas we fear not. Ask the pee
wish, complaining wife if she has ever
thought seriously of this matter. What
a neat, cosy little cottage hers is Her
noble looking boys and their fair sisters
are as beautiful a trio of children as ev-
er graced ones household. Her hus-
band is kind and indulgent, but the fret
ful disposition will not allow her a mo.
ment's tranquility. She is in perpetual
anxiety; sometimes one thing, then an
other that causes her inquietude but
she is never at rest. The children long
for the sunshine which they see in the
homes of their playmates, and invent all
kinds of excuses to get away from the