River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-10-25

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she suffers no loss of accustomed con.
veniences nor elegances. When we
come practically to experience its sor-
did cares, its paltry wants, its petty
humlliation-then will be the real
trial. "
But said /, snow that you have
got over the severest task, that of
breaking it to her, the sooner you let
the world INTO the secret, the better.
The disclosure may be Notifying; but
then it is a single misery and soon
over; whereas you otherwise suffer it
in anticipation every hour of the day.
1t is not poverty so much as pretext
that harnesses the ruined mamie
struggles between a proud mind and
empty purse-the keeping up a hollow
show that will soon come to an end.
Have the courage to appear poor and
you win disarm poverty of It's sharpest
sting" On this point 1 found Leslie
perfectly prepared. He had no false
pride himself, and as 70 his wife, she
was only anxious to conform to their
altered fortunes.
Some days after this he called upon
me III the evening. He had disposed
of his dwelling house and taken O
small cottage in the country few miles
from town. He had been busted all
day sending out furniture. The new
establishment required few articles, and
those of the simplest kind. All the
splendid furniture of his late residence
had been sold excepting his wife's harp.
That, he said, was too closely associated
with the idea of herself; it belonged
to the little story of their loves: for
some of the sweetest moments of their
courtship were those when he had
leaned over that instrument and lis
tened to the melting tones of her voice.
| could not but smile at this instance
of romantic gallantry in the doting hus-
/ band.
! He was now going out to the cottage,
where his wife had been all day super
intending its arrangement. My feel
/ ings had become strongly interested in
the progress of this family story, and
as it was a fine evening, offered to ac-
company him.
He was wearied with the fatigues of
the day, and, as he walked out, fell in
to fit of gloomy musing.
"Poor Mary y at length broke, with
heavy sigh, from his lips.
"And what of here" | asked "has
anything happened to herr"
"What" said he, darting an impa.
tent glance, sis it nothing to be re-
duced to this paltry situation-to be
Gagged in a miserable cottage-to be
obliged to toll almost in the mental
concerns of her wretched habitationgn
HAS she then repined at the
changer"
''Repinedi She has been nothing
but sweetness and good humor. In
deed, she seems in better spirits than
L have ever known her; she has been
to me all love, and tenderness and COM
fort ~
Admirable girl !" exclaime'
You call yourself poor, my FRIEND
You never were so rich-you never
knew the boundless treasures of excel
lence you possess in that woman"
"Ob! but, my friend, if this first
meeting at the cottage were over,
think | could then be comfortable.
But this is the first day of real expert
ence; she has been introduced into an
humble dwelling-she has, for the first
time, known the fatigues of domestic
employment-she has for the first time
looked around her on home destitute
OF everything elegant almost of every
thing convenient; and may now be sit
ting down. exhausted and spiritless,
broodlng over prospect of future
poverty"
There was degree of probability to
this picture that l could not gainsay;
so we walked on in silence.
After turning from the main road up
a narrow lane, so thickly shaded with
forest trees as to give 1t a complete air
Of seclusion, we came in sight of the
cottage. 1t was humble enough in its
appearance for the most pastoral poet;
and yet it had a pleasing rural look.
A wild vine had overrun one end with
a profusion of foliage, few trees threw
their branches gracefully over it; and
/ observed several pots of flo yers taste
fully disposed about the door and on
the grass plat in front Asmall wicket
gate opened upon a footpath that
wound through some sbrubbery to the
door. just as weapproached we heard
| the sound of music-Leslie grasped
my arm; We paused and listened 1t
was Mary's voice singing, in a style of
the most touching simplicity, a little
air of which her husband was peculiarly
/ fond.
felt Leslie's hand tremble on my
arm. He stepped forward to hear more
distinctly. His step made a noise on
the gravel walk. A bright, beautiful
/ face glanced out of the window and
vanished-a light footstep was heard
and Mary came tripping forth to meet
MS; she was in a pretty rural dress of
white, few Wild flowers were twisted
in her fine hair, fresh bloom was on
her cheek. her whole countenance
beamed with smiles--I had never seen
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