South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1868-03-27
T H UNG WIFI
BY LIZZIE j. HALE.

o, God /. how strong, and We. how weak
IS the human heart; aud few, ah, ho,c few,
understand it Alright. Many, all uncon-
scious OF these doiugs, it may be, are fast
hastening some loved, or once loved one, to
tue silent grave. Aye, many wifeis Jour
neying thither. Husband, dost thou know
TINS Hast thou seen, day after day, her
cheek palinS, her eye sinking, and her once
ouoyant step becoming slow, measured, and
wearicd! Dost thou know that for thee
she Is suffering thus :? o, no; thou canst
not have known it, else would thy heart
have taken her to home-an undiciEel
home, and infused thy life into hers But
learn now, q husband, ere il be too late.
what treasure thou art losing! Save her.
q sare her!
Ady Fulton was my friend. Thrown to-
gether among strangers, in q strange land,
we were soon even as sisters. Indeed, by
our schoOlmates- reader, we were school
girls then-we were always called and treat
ed thus. La the same classes; with the
same cares and pleasures from day to day,
and with naturally similarity of taste, no
wonder we became inseparable companions.
Not that we were outwardly alike at all
- no; she was all gentlencss, meekness and
love; L more passionate, hoadstrong, and
wliful. But underneath all this, we found
Il similarity. 1t mattered not what others
said--wo were satisfied
For year we remained thus, constantly
together. Then ] was called away. Our
parting it will never, never, be forgotten.
For years we met not again She return
ei to her own pleasant and far off home,
and | entered upon the daily routine of q
teachers life. During the first twelve
months our correspondence remained unbro-
ken. In that time she was engaged, mar
rIed, and removed still further from ne.
Then her letters were full of joy and hope.
lhe future was all bright, aud there seem
ed not shadow on her young and shiny
heart. ny and by her letters grew short,
less frequent, aud finally ceased altogether.
For three years heard not from her.
At the end Of that time letter came. With
what cagerness | broke the seal for wei
knew that delicate signature. II brought
the intelligence of her return home, and an
earnest invitation for me to visit her, clos
ing with these words, Come to me soon.
Lizzie,o or my worn out spirit will have wing
ed It's way before you
FASTENED thirher. She was indeed
well nigh the spirit land ; yet she seemed
happy, inexpressbly 30. Her husband was
with her, and now for the first time, saw
him. | wondered not that he had won that
gentle being for bis bride, or that she So
soon became his for more noble, gener-
GUS hearted, devoted husband, never saw.
Tho day passcd-for hud arrived in the
morning-and Ady had just had suficien,
strength to be assisted to a scat beneath a
favoritc tree in front of the house, and to
her room again. Oh, such a change Once
so healthy, lively aud buoyant, now she
seemed more shadow sylph from fairy
land, than living, moving person. Yet
the same clear brow was there, the same
calm blue eye and sweet expression Her
voice, too, had only melnwed into more
perfect harmony, aud her heart to a more
kindly warmth. At evening she called me
to her side. Come hither, my friend, said
she, FIR [ would fam speak If those DAYS
when seemed to have forgotten YOU. y,
one Of earth, not even my parents knew how
much | suffered. / could not tell them
for the memory, even, would too dccp'y
wound their hearts. But you shall know
, ALL and with her head upon my shoulder,
: and her band claspcd in mine, She related
her past SORROWS. As nearly as ! can. I
will give them TO you, though may add
much Of herself, which m0dcsty forbade
her speaking.
The first few months after her marriage.
we're those Of unnlloyed happiness. Uu
husband was largely engaged in the mer.
camille business IN n western city. and
naught bat prosperity and happiness ,hone
on their pathway But she awoke from
this blissful dream TO Gud that he, who was
10 be her guide nud companion through lir.
was all unworthy Of the sacred charge III
rGs iuicrpcrufet Al. who can tell tlr
sorrow Of that young and devoted WIFI.
when first the conviction burst apou har
IL well nigh forced the life blood from her
veins. She had been too close an observer
Of human nature not to sec and feel tbo;r
danger.
Slowly and almost impcrcoptb'y the "a
tai habit grew upon him Night after
night would he come home united. ,,.p
TO disrobs himself and retro. PatiaptIg
and gently would she assist him. even n.
would fond mother her young and helm.
less child. Not n word Of censare had
yer passed her lips he ever found III.
homo cheerful, pleasant and ready to vel.
come the wanderer Ever his wife took cs-
pccial care to please him. Was there q
iavorite dish Of his, she had it prepared
Had he choice among her frocks or the
color Of the ribbon, il was sure to greet Linn
on bis return. In short, all Der talents and
energy we're bent on pleasing him.
Noble, generous woman Could tbv
husband but have seen thy entire and heart.
felt devotion, thy almost uncartbly farbear.