Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-03-10
VIRTUE AND ITS REWARD.

over some trifiing matter. We differed
in opinion; he said, with mans sneer,
that l took woman's view of the case,
and that angered me, till presently we
were quarreling, and the dreadful
words escaped me.
81 wish either you or was dead"
1t shocked him; he asked me if l
meant it, and 1 repeated,
81 am sorry we were ever married,
and l do from my heart wish one of us
was dead"
He grew pale.
at is time we parted, then," he
said.
"The sooner the BETTER" l rejoined.
Thus took upon myself the double
burden of loneliness and calamity.
My husband went out of the room,
never looking back, and left the house.
1 trembled for what 1 had done. l
felt oppressed and lonesome; but
thought he would come back. Music,
embroidery and reading, l tried sue
cessively, but failed to be either amused
or interested. l dressed myself in my
best, and walked through the most
populous streets, hoping to meet him;
l passed his store, but could not see
him there. Who would have thought,
looking in my smiling face, that my
heart ached? 1 met my fashionable
friends, and accepted an invitation to
party. l consented to be one of a
committee to raise funds for charita-
bic object.
Invent home sorrowful. A night of
anxiety ensued. The morning came;
but no husband. My sorrow was
changing to anger. resolved to 60 to
his shop, and put my resolution into
practice. Everybody was there but
my husband---his partner waited upon
me with alacrity. l bought few
trifles, and then asked, with as little ap-
parent concern as possible:
"Oh Mr.. Saunders, where is
Charles?"
He gave me strange look; his eyes
dilated.
"You must know that he sailed for
Europe yesterday"
How l looked! What l said then, l
know not. l seemed to live an age in
moment--an age of bewildering,
hideous recollection. When / came to
myself, l was grasping the counter
with both hands. Mr.. Saunders held
chair and was begging me to be seat
ed. l shook my head, and, in the full
belief that | was dying, got into car
riage and was driven home. Calling
my servant, on my arrival there, l
asked her if Mr.. Warren had been
home since the previous morning?
80, yes ma 'am," she said, "he came
after you went out, and l helped him
pack the leather travelling trunk. He
said he was called away in hurry,
and that was all Then he had left no
word for me. l grew cold; my very
teeth chattered, and l had only self
command enough 10 dismiss the SER
want. What could they think of it at
the store, for of course more than
Mr.. Saunders saw how startled and
disturbed | was. How did they look
upon a wife who knew nothing of so
important a step on the part of her
husband? Misery and l were COM
panions now. l lost all interest in my
household; my friends first eondoled
with, then deserted me, on account
of my gloomy countenance. Why l
was thus abandoned was a mystery to
all but myself. Sickness of body fol-
lowed sickness of heart. / had no re-
lations; had been an only child; my
parents were both dead.
After my recovery from discour-
aging illness, / received visit from my
husbands partner. He was hand
some man, not over middle aged, and
much admired by everybody. His
manner was SO kind that ! was gradu-
ally led on to confde my troubles to
him. Alasi his coming boded no good.
He brought the astounding intelligence
that my husband had dissolved part
nership with him-that the business
had been carried on by writing, and
through the mediation of a friend
and that he knew nothing of his where
abouts. This was dreadful tidings to
me. / had heard no word from him
I was not rich in my own right; bills
were coming in continually; ] still
lived extravagantly, and knew not
which way to turn.
My husbands partner came to the
rescue again.