Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-05-24
Words Worth Heecing-Hoyy to Re-
tain Love After Marriage.

Foreigners often inquire what becomes
Of all the fascinating girls for which
America is so renowned. The question
is easily answered. They die in early
wedlock, which SO frequently proves the
grave of love. The connubial state as
mismanaged by us. generates an asphyx-
ia in which gallantry, sentiment, and
tenderness soon breathe their last.
A few years ago there were two lovely
sisters hereabout. Their beauty was the
theme of general praise, and their beauty
was mental and spiritual no less than
ply steal. Their whole being had the
rythm and rhyme that belong to the
madigrals of fine flesh and gentle blood
They were from the nmost soul to the
externalest line of their gracefulness,
such creatures as Nature makes in her
happiest moods, as if to compensate for
innumerable blunders. They were mar
ried, and both, as it WAS considered, for
tunately.
Griselda's husband was n prosperous
merchant, instinctively generous and
sympathetic, knowing little of the world
and less of women. Statira was mated
with worthy and wealthy gentleman
who had travelled far and seen much;
was cynical in speech because tender in
feeling; called skeptical because be ha !
such ample faith. Their first year was
as if all the months had been May and
June, and then, as usually happens, there
came a change. Griselda ceased to ap
pear in public with her liege lord, and
soon the most devoted of lovers seemed
the most Indifferent Of husbands. He
cultivated new tastes and found new
pleasures. Billiards and whist became
passions, and he became q regular habit
ue of the club to which in his bachelor
days he was almost unknown. During
the third year of wedlock Griselda no
longer looked like herself. Her fresh
ness and roundness were gone, AND those
tyrants of feminine nature, the nerves,
ruled her her mer ell ssy # EapOleOn's
women. Every one deplored her decline
but him who had most reason to deplore
it. To day hardly anyone could be per-
suaded that Griseda could ever have
laid the smallest claim to beauty, or that
elegance and briIiancy had ever been re-
motely acquainted with her. Barely
thirty, she seemed five and forty, and all
the brightness of her life is dimmed for
ever.
Statira's first year was like her sisters;
but when her husband showed signs of
WEAKNESS she resolved to charm his weari.
ness away. "You would be well bred
truant," she said ''as you have been be-
fore, but I shall not let you. You have
thought it we'll to flirt with other women,
but with your wife your intentions must
be serious. You have vowed to love
me, aud | shall make you keep your
word by always appearing lovely. am
young and fair and accomplished, and,
what is more, intend to remain So
You have not exhausted me, and you
shall not; for every day | shall unfold a
new leaf of beauty, and sentimental bot
anist as you are, you cannot fail to be
interested in. me. shall be true wife,
but | shall be charming woman also.
When YOU come home shall read aud
play and talk to you; and it will be
strange if your affection grows lsnguld
and your caress conventional. If you
90 out in the evening I shall 60 with you,
| No more clubs or bachelor dinners if
| can wean you from them by such means
as are at my command. Ny culver has
not begun to be emptied yet of Cupid:
arrows, and the boy-god is. 1 am sure
my firmest friend. [ shall.so show my
love that you cannot help loving me IN
return, and even when you have grown
old 1 shall expect from you the courte'
sizes and gallantries you showered upon
me on cur bridal morning"
Statira was true to her word, She
continued lovely in every outward detail
no less than in inward spirit. and she
was fondly loved. The yeaes that have
passed since her wedding find her fresh
and bright, for her husband falls newly
in love with her every radiant morning
and every blessed night. She has made
the name of wife sacred to him who wa
won't to jest at marriage, and all the swal
lows of his. fancy have flown home t.
rest. Statira has wrought miracle b,
the simplest means. She has kept he
husbands heart by the tender tyrann.
to which strong and chivalrous men ar
prone to submit Gotary.
|