The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-10-07
For the TRIUCNE.
WIFE.

ED. TRIBUNE nero is perhaps no
other word of one syllable more signi6-
cant, or comprehensive, than that Of
wife; the mere utterance of which giving
rise only to feelings of sympathy, affec-
ton and love. Indeed, there is tender
ness in it, charm, a magic; especially
to those who can realize themselves in
possession Of such treasure, or to one in
quest of his ideal model of perfection
wildly pictured in his Imagination and
the thoughtful mind delights to ponder
over the group of good qualities and su-
perior excellencies it implies, or of one
worthy the appeIation. Wife brief,
though familiar term and replete with
interest, the full meaning of which can
only be approximated by allusion to the
sum of her excellences. Intelligent die-
eliminating, appreciative, kind, gentle,
modest, pure, innocent and true, with a
heart warm and palpitating with afec-
ton and love for the partner of her tolls
in whom her thoughts find all repose,
| she seeks not only her own but anothers
happiness, and always agreeable and
| pleasant, neat, tidy and attractive, con-
stitutes ''home little heaven" Nor is
it in reason, cher outside form so fair
that 80 much delights, as those grace
full acts, those thousand decencies that
| flow from all her words and actions, mixed
with love and sweet compliance, which
declare unfeign' union of mind.
We use not the term in its ordinary ac-
ceptation, as applied to the woman who
in some sort of way attends to the house
affairs, scolds the children, or in the alb
scence of them, cooks the meals, washes
the dishes, &c, but in that higher sense,
as one IN possession of those noble quail
ties, moral, social and intellectual, so
necessary to render her no more the IN
ferior than the head
"But in herself complete SO well to know
Her own, that what she wills to do or say
Seems wisest, yirtuousest, discreetest best
and that rare combination of grace, dig
nifty and love.-''love" that ''refnes the
thoughts. and heart enlarges. hath its
seat in reason, and is judicious, "-togeth-
er with those more delicate, refined and
refining or melIowing influences charac-
teristic of her sex and inseparable from
it, so indispensable to her exalted position,
and effectual in subduing or smoothing
the rough exterior and sharp asperities of
mans coarser nature. The model wife,
with grace in all her steps, heaven in
her eye, in every gesture dignity and
love, !" the admiration, crown, and
glory of the husband, ever alive to what
ever contributes to pleasure ard comfort,
studies not only his tastes, will and wishes,
but household good and good works in
| him to promote. y
But in the oft visitatons of affliction
does the value of wife appear most con
spicuous. Here perhaps, better than
anywhere else, her qualities are put to
the full test of practical utility, and often
shine forth with Respondent brilliancy
and lustre. Especially in sickness, who
can so well appreciate the thousand little
! wants and kindly administer to them as
the loving wife, whose whole being is en-
listed for the welfare of her husband /?
Again, who can so well smooth the pill
low, adjust the bcd-cothes, furnish a
| palatable dish, q cup of tea to ailay thirst,
aud the many other delicacies wife only
can think of, as the idol of our affections
in whom our confidence IS never want
ing? And how cheering, how animating
and encouraging her calm, but lively and
| hopeful expression, as she glides grace
fully through the apartment, occasionally
wiping the perspiration from the throb-
bing temples, and carelessly impressing an
afectionate kiss upon the flushed and fe-
verish cheek2 AnG as the clouds of adyersi
ty gather more and more dense and the
| saddest of bereavements seem simminent,
though the tear-drops unbidden occasion
ally gush from their silent depths, the
| light footsteps of the yiglant wife will
be heard in the active performance of
her peculiar and trying duties, and her
faith fails not, nor does her hope langpish
or her patience weary: Faithful Conspan
ION
Animated and inspired by one so lovely,
so enhancing, so heavenly and divine,
who would not exclaim
| "My fairest, my espoused my latest found
Heaven last best gift, my delight
and with just feelings of pride, not only
love, CHERISH. honor, and protect, but
acknowledge her only inferior to the an
gels and without a substitute unexcelled,
in beauty, peerless in majesty, and I'M
limited in resources for shaping mans
destiny. x.
For THE TRIBUNE.
ED. TRIBUNE In relation to the in,
quiry of the medical student in THE TRr-
BUNE Supplement OF last week, "wheth-