The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-08-16
W0oDSFIELD MONROE COUNTY. OHIO. AUGUST l6, 1865

noon
"'She's always occupied said Mr..
Green. [ did not make out whether he
meant apology or sarcasm. But there was
no mistaking the Indifference of his man
ner- 1 looked from the fresh, healthy
countenance and bright eyes of the cous-
| in, to the thin, pale face,and languid eyes
of his wife, and my heart grew angry
For her, change, fresh air, and the exhil-
aration of ride were as necessary to
health and life as food; and he had not
even asked her to accompany them-nay,
when the cousin inquired if she were not
going he had been in haste to answer for
her in the negative.
"I did not ride out with Mr.. Green and
his cousin, though the compliment of an
invitation was extended. Mrs. Green put
on faint show of satisfaction at the en-
ljoyment her relative was to have; but af-
ter they were gone,I saw tears in her eyes,
and noticed change in her manner. Her
face was paler, and there was an express
sion about her mouth that did not clear
| ly understand; but it was indicative of
mental pain.
"'Are you not well2' I asked. She had
laid her head down, suddenly, on small
work table by which she was sewing. She
did not answer Immediately. When she
did reply, perceived that her voice was
troubled:
"'My head aches badly
"'How long has your head been ach-
| iing?' inquired.
"tFor half an hour or So
/ ( Il. l. , II
but she made no response. A little while
afterward I saw her shiver. Putting one
Of my hands on hers, Twas chilled by its
eoldness. The touch made her shiver
again. She had nerv Gus chill. Thro'
little persuasion, I got herinto bed ,and
put hot water to her feet. In course of
half an hour she was better; but the head
ache remained.
| "Mr. Green and the cousin came back
from their ride with every evidence of
having enjoyed themselves. Both were
in hig GA spirits. I wondered, as looked
at the cousins bright, healthy face, and
then at Mrs. Green's shadowy counten-
ance-so pale and thin-if her husband
did not take note of the diference-if
there was no tenderness and compassion
in his heart--if he did not plainly see
she was drifting away from him
"Pushed away, rather!'' spoke out one
of the company sharply. "Pushed out
upon the river of death as boatis thrust
1 from the shorel"
"I accept your betterfgure of Speech =
| said the other. "Y es, the hand that should
have held her to the shore, thrust her out
upon the dark river, and we who have
loved her have lost her."
"May it not have been her own fault?'
was now suggested. "You know some
i women busy themselves amid their house
hold and motherly cares, and resist all
their husbands efforts to draw them out
into society. They shut themselves in
from the bright sun and fresh health-gi
ing air--away from social and public life
and droop and fade, self-immolated il
their homes. A husband is not respon
sible, and should not be blamed for this.
"If our sweet friend who has left us,
such was the reply, chad possessed col
der heart, and also less loyal to duty ,sht
might have been alive to-day. But sh'
had mind of exceedingly delicate organ
ization, and was hurt by touches that WOO
fall lightly as a feather upon most hearts
Mr.. Green ought to have known this
lShe was his wife; true, devoted and faith
full wife. If she was so busted with HON,
] duties that she failed for lack of sunshin,
and air, the fault was his Mr.. Green i
close man, as we say--a saying, money
: loving man. He was liberal to himself
but never to his wife. If expenditure
, was for his appctite--his pleasure or con
: venience, there was no stint; if for hi
wife, or general household use, he dole,
r it out with niggardly hand. He wa
perpetually descanting on the waste o
. servants, the cost of living. and the ruin
GUS increase of price in everything. TIL
| consequence was, that Mis-. Green, VIII
S felt that his homilies were for her ears
e and meant as rebuke for her extrava
f gances, kept but one servant, though sh
e had little children. and was always worke
beyond her strength. She had neithe
E slave--a household drudge-an imprison
: ed nurse, with husband for master an
driver; and she a woman of the finest men
tai organization, and a heart thirsting fo
: love, and that tender consideration S
Y sweet to the souls it any wonder tha
she died? l marvel, knowing her as
did, how she lived so long"
r Other evidence bearing on the case wa
e given, all going to show that Mr. Greer
$ through years of petty home exaction'
e Indifference and neglect, had been til
r sole cause of his wifes early death. Dali
: he saw her bearing burdens beyond WI
It mans strength; daily her checks gre
d more white. Her flesh wasted, her ey'
e heavier, her steps feebler, her lips an
s voice sadder, and yet the cruel tyral
e never relaxed, until the silver cord W;
:, loosened and the golden bowl broken {
q the fountain!
e The testimony. given in some cas-,
a with painful detril of circumstance
'e was overwhelming, and the verdict rel
t. dered without one dissenting voice, w
IS "Guilty!" That is, guilty of wifc-mu
lie der.
I AS far as the evidence is before Il
a reader, he can make his own decision al
say guilty or not guilty according to b
l. estimate of the case. If he be husbal
Te with a pale-fac stay -at-home, over-wor