Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-12-28
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THE WIFE.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING.

DY WASHINGTON IRVING.
The treasures OF the deep are not so precious
As are the concealed comforts of man
Locked up In woman's love. / scent the alt
| OF blessings, when / come but near the house
What delicious breath marriage sends forth,
The violet beds not Decentralization.
have often had occasion to remark the
fortitude with which woman sustain the
! most overwhelming reverses of fortune.
Those disasters which break down the
spirit of u man, and PROSTATE him in the
dust, seem to call forth all the energies OF
the softer sex, and such intrepidity and ell
ovation to their character. that at times ap-
proaclIes TO subimity. Nothing can be more
touching than to behold soft tender fe-
male, who had been all weakness and de-
penendencc, and all alive TO trivial rough
ness while treading the prosperous paths
of life, suddenly rising in mental force to
be the comforter of her husband under mis-
fortune, and abiding with unshrinking
tirmness, the bitterest blasts of adversely,
AS the vine which has long twined its
graceful foliage about the oak, and bren
lifted by it into sunshine, will when the
hardy plant is rifted by the thundcrbolt,
cling around it with its caressing tendrls,
and bind up the shattered boughs, so Is it
beautifully ordained by Providence, that
woman who is the more dependent and or
nament of man in his happier hours, should
be his stay and solace when smitten with
sudden calamity winding herself into the
recess of his nature, tenoerly supporting
the dropping head and binding up the bro
ken heart. l was once congratulating n
friend, who had around him blooming ia
mily, knit together in the strongest alice
ton. II can wish you no better lot, usaid
he, with enthusiasm, "than to have wife
and children. lfyou are prosperous, they
are to share your prosperity If otherwise
they are comfort to YOU"
And, indeed, have observed that mar
ried man falling into misfortune is more
apt to retrieve his situation in the world
than n single one; partly because he is
more stimulated to eXertion by the neces-
sites of the helpless and beloved things,
who depend upon him for substance a; but
chiefly because his spirits are soothed and
relieved by domestic endearments, and his
selfrcspect kept alive by finding, that
though all abroad is darkness and humilia
ton, yet there is still n better world Of
love at home, of which he is the monarch.
Whereas a single man is apt 10 run to waste
and self-neglect (; to fancy himself lowly
and abandoned, and his heart to fall to ruin
like some deserted, mansion, for want of an
inhabitant.
These observations call to mind little
domestic story of which l was once wit
ness. My friend, Leslie, had married a
beautiful and accomplished girl, who had
been brought up in the midst OF iashiona-
BILE life. She had, it is true, no fortune,
but that of my friend was ample; and he
delighted in the anticipation of indulging
her in every elegant pursuit, administering
to those delicate tastes and iaucies that
spread kind of witchery about the sex.
"Ier life, ~ said he, ''shall be 4 fairy tale. +"
The very difference in their characters
produced an harmonious combination ; he
was of romantic and somewhat serious
cast; she was all life and gladuess. l have
often noticed the mute rapture with which
her sprightly powers made her the delight ;
and how, in the midst Of applause, her eye
would still turn to him, as if there alone
she sought favor and acceptance. When
leaning on his arm, her slender form con-
trasted finely with his tall manly person.
The fond, contiding air with which she
looked up to him, seemed to call forth n
flush of triumphant pride and cherishug
tenderness, as ifhe dotted on his lovely bur
den for its very helplessness. Never did q
couple set forward on the tlowery path OF
early and well-suitcd marriage with fairer
prospect of felicity.
1t was the misfortune of my friend, how
ever, to have embarked his prosperity in
large speculations, and he had not been
married many months, when by success
sion of sudden disasters was swept away
| from him, and he found himself reduced to
almost penury. For IA time he kept his sit
uation to himself and went about with a
haggard countenanco, and n breaking heart
His life was but n protracted agony ; and
what rendered it more insupportable was
the necessity of keeping up smile in the
| presence of his wife for he could not bring
! himself to overwhelm her with the news.
She saw, however, with the quick eyes OF
affection, that all was not well with him.
| She marked his altered looks and stified
| sighs, that was not to be deceived by his
! sickly and vapid attempts at cheeriuness.
| She tasked all her sPrghtly powers and
tender Establishments TO win him back to
! happiness but she only drove the arrow
deeper into his SOUL The more he saw
/ cause to love her, the more torturing was
| the thought that he was soon to make hel
wretched. A little while, thought he, and
the smile will vanish from that cheek--the
| song will die away from those lips-the lus'
/ ter of those eyes will be Quenched with sor'
row, and the happy heart, which now beats
! lightly in that bosom, will be weiged down
| like mine, ey the cares and miseries OF thu
world.
At length he came to me ono day, and
related his whole situation in a tone OF the
deepest despair. When heard him throuAl
inquired, does your wife know all this =
At the question he burst into an agony o
tears. "For Gods sake ~ cried he, ''i
you have any pity on me don't mentior
my wife it is the thought Of her that drives
me almost 10 madness"
"And why not ?" said "she mus
know it sooner or later, you cannot keep i
long from her, and the intelligence maj
break upon her in more startling manner
than if impaired by yourself, for the ac
cents of those we love soften the hardes
tidings. Besides, you are depriving your
self of the comforts of her sympathy; an'
not merely that, but also endangering tn
only bond that can keep hearts together
an uureserved community of thought ant
feeling. She will soon perceive that some
thing is secretly praying upon your mind
and true love will not brook reserve,
feels underyalued and outraged, when eve
the SORROWS of those it loves are concealo
from it,"
"Oh, but my friend to think what
blow am to give all her future prospects
how | am to strike her very soul TO til