Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-11-29

10 not name them as luxuries in your
case. II the enervated vo:ary Of pleasure
needs them for recreation, and TO irnpart a
new zest to the years succeeding round Of
| gay existence, how much more essential are
they for the sick, the nervous, the exhausted
toller IN liie's field of earnest labor fear,
my friend that you have not thought wisely
OF your wifes true position; that in some
sense you are to blame for her present III.
health and state Of mental depression"
How ~
Wilkins looked surprised.
"The human soul, answered, d" is not
piece Of senseless machinery not made up Of
a series Of iron wheels that eau do their work
as well in the dark underground chamber as
IN broad daylight. Even the flower must
have change-air, sunlight, morning, even.
ing and the advancing seasons, for its healthy
growth and maturity. But the human soul
is OF higher organization, and has multitud.
nous wants compared with the flower. Shut
up the flower from the warm sun and the re.
treshing air, and will it not grow sicklyp
You are treating your wife with less consd.
Grafton than you would treat house plant.
No wonder that she is dying daily"
wilkins really looked amazed-and | was
for little while in doubt whether he was Of
Tended at my freedom, or astonished at his
own blindness touching the nature of the hu.
man soul which he bad adjoined in life com
panionshp with his own.
" Natures two best physicians" went on,
"aro pure air and exercise. And what is
better, they charge nothing for attendance"
"T o large part of mankind" answered
wilkins " time is money. 1t ia so in our
case"
" Don't make that too positive conclu-
clusion. Increase the strength and you di.
miuish the hours of labor-nay, more, you re.
move from them the cause Of extreme exhaus-
ton My word for it, if you had spent twenty
pounds year in giving your wife change Of
scene, sea-bathing, and mental as well as bod.
lily recreation, your doctors bills would have
been reduced more than that amount. How
often do you take her to concerts, or other
places OF public amusement"
ave haven't been to concert in five
years" he said.
"Aud yet | remember that she was passion.
ately fond of musc'
We can't afford it," remarked wilkins
gloomily.
" Better 60 without dinner occasionally.
Health of the soul is quite as essential as
health of the body. Ifyou starye the former,
what is there in mere eating and drinking
worth living for ?"
Mary wouldn't go if we're to purchase
the tickets. She has housed herself so long
that she has no desire to step across the
threshold"
. For which, speaking frankly, and to au
old friend, you are in great measure to
blame And, unless you at once, and with
purpose not easily set aside by first Difficult.
ties actually compel your dropping wife to 90
forth, few years will close up the history Of
her wretched life.n
Ah !" said he | can feel the force of
what you say. But how and where to begin
that is the question"
=" / notice. was tho reply, /" that a cee.
brated composer and pianist is in your town,
and will give this evening one of his concerts.
Take her to see him. | am going to invite
her" said "and don't believe she will
refuse me-"
| am sure she will not 60" wilkins
was quite positive.
Wen see. You will take note of invi.
tatlon from me- | will enclose tickets for
you both, and say that will call in the even.
ing and make one of the company at the con.
cert"
wilkins was incredulous, aud half opposed
me but my interest in his unhappy wife was
so strong that resolved to have nv own
way. The tickets and invitation were accord.
ingly sent.
called at my friends office in the after.
noon, TO 60 home with him.
"Well," said |, cheerfuly, "what word
from your good wife, win she be ready for
the concerto
" | am afraid not
Wilkins shook his head and looked gloomy
" What did she say"
THAT it was impossible for her to 10 out
that she couldn't leave the children aud
finally after had met every objection with
a reason that could not be gainsaid she de-
clared that she didn't feel a wish to 90 and
couldn't think of it,"
But | expressed different opinion.
"l know her great deal better than you
do was his answer.
| went home with him. There was chang.
in Mrs. wilkins; glance revealed this. Tn,
languor and exhaustion so painfully apparent
on the previous evening were scarcely visible
Her eyes were brighter, her countenance NOR,
elevated, her lips had firmer outline.
saw that some attention had been given to he
dress and though not in concert trim, it wa
, plain enough that it would not take her
! great while to be in presentabc condition.
! Wilkins was in error. His wife did 60 b
the concert, and surprised both him and her
, self by the amount of pleasure she receive,
from the exquisite performance. Indeed, sh
! expressed her satisfaction in lively terms, an
, with a glowing face, in the intervals of man,
of the pieces.
How is Mrs. Wilkins ?" asked of M
friend as | entered his place Of business OF
the next day
a Better than for many months, am pleas
ed to say" was the answer. IS She SCENE,
a this morning, almost another woman. Tn
music was like an elixir to her SOUL"
had faith in it," said |. "Depen
upon it wilkins, you have been consenting /
1 your wile's death by murder and suicide
!. murder on your part aud suicide on hers
My next recommendation is the seaside
Give up your business for week take you
/ wife to some watering place Immediately
= Sea air, sea bathing, and sight of old ocean
( will put new life into her veins"
. She can't possibly leave home. We hay,
Q too many young children"
She'll have to leave home, and her youu,
children forever, if you don't do something
to save her" | spoke with some feeling, fo
| was little provoked atmy friends incina
tion to throw difficulties in the way. JUS
make up your mind that the thing has to be
, done, and I'll answer for your wife. The
fact is, it's my opinion that she will say yes,
on the first proposition"
And so she did. A little management was
practiced | accepted another invitation to
tea, aud during the evening gave as graphic
a description as was in my power of the
novelty, excitement and wonderfully benefc.
ial effects Of a week at the seashorc. My
own experience was quite to the point, hay.
ing rcgained strength almost by magic after
a long period Of nervous exhaustion.
"You must take your wife to tho seaside