The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-01-09
Woman and Her Moods.

with whom we have to do, than We have
to fling a stone aud injure them Yet
this "fingng shadows" is a common vice,
and one to which women are particular
ly addicted. What an incalculable bless
ing is merry, cheerful woman in
household One whose spirits are not
affected by wet days or little disappoint-
ments, or whose milk of human kindness
does not sour in the sunshine OF prosperl-
ty. Such woman (no matter how dark
and stormy it is outside) brightens the
house like little piece of ofsunshiny wealth.
er. Tho magnetism Of her smile, the
electrical brightness Of her looks and
movements, infect every one. Her child
rem 90 to school with sense of something
great to be achieved her husband goes
into the world in conqueror's spirit.
No matter how people worry and annoy
him all day, far off her presence shines,
and he whispers to himself, "At home |
shall find rest" So, day by day, she lit
orally renews his strength and energy,
and if you know a man with Il beaming
face, kind heart, and prosperous busi-
ness, in nine cases out of ten you will
find that he has wife of this kind. For
nothing is more certain than that he who
is married, as general rule, must ask
his wife's permission, if he would be
wealthy and happy. Blessed is he who
hath cheerful wife. Tho world may
be a "valley of strife" to him, but his
home is land of Bculah, haven Of rest
and quiet. Nay, l sometimes think that
you may know such homes by outward
signs.
The general exterior has look best OK.
planned by that thrilling word, comfort
able" The windows, open to the sun
shine, have bright, hospitable look
which is almost an invitation to walk in.
If you are free to accept the invitation,
you may reckon safely on the kind of
servant who will open the. door for you,
for there is no truer maxim than "like
master, like man" The children are all
on their parole, and are FREQ to come and
go, both "up stairs and downstairs, in
my lady's chamber" There are no show
rooms in this house, and if you come to
see upholstery, you will be disappointed.
The sofas and lounging-chairs have seen
and do see, daily service; the books are
read the girls practice on the piano, the
boys have left "their mark" on various
possess ions, and the cat dozes rehectively
on the rug. You nay laugh heartily, or
wear your second-best dress before this
kind Of woman, nay, you might "wear
your heart upon your sleeve she would
not peck at it. And after an evening of
good things, l am almost sure you would
see the Bible opened, and the household
gathered, for not only men but God
loveth a cheerful woman, and cheerful
ness brings gratitude, and gratitude brings
piety, and piety teacheth wisdom, and
wisdom opcneth her mouth to declare
that family without prayer is like n
house without roof.
Now, grant all these elements of hap
piness to the sulky woman, and she will
contrive out Of them to make herself and
everybody miserable. Ifshe condescends
to speak at all, her voice is perpetually
going into spiteful italics Generally,
however, she is possessed by dumb dev-
il, and goes about the house "ainging
shadows" over her husbands heart and
her children's faces, wrapped in mantle
Of the most irritating sicncc-a silence
which is most unfair misnomer, for
though she is tongue-ted by tho demon
which controls her, she contrives to make
the chairs and the crockery and every
thing she handles, speak for her Even
her garments acquire a defensive look
her dress rustles, her shoes crcak, her
face makes you realize that fable Of the
Medusa might, after all, be more than q
fable. Her children eat their food, and
escape as rapidly as may be to school
her husband sighs, and as soon as posi-.
Bile follows them. Ycu may know him,ii
you sec him leave his home, by the name
less shadow on his brow and the weary
yet impatient step. have seen him ge,
into the cars and buy newspaper, and
slightly shake himself, as if to fling off ar
incubus Perhaps he succeeds for few
hours then he must go home again
Shall he try and propitiate the household
tyrant But how? | have known gooc
and wise men fling down before it theil
manhood, their cherished tastes, theil
lifelong habits, and receive in return {
reconciliation which was an irony, mas
much as it was followed by a long, tearfu
after sulking, infinitely harder to bea
than the primary assault,
| remember well a couple with whom
] was on terms of the greatest intimacy
The husband was gentleman of God
creation. He filled with honor an impor
tant office under the United States Gov
ernment ; he had large private fortune
which he spent generous y on his family
for he desired above all things to max
. them happy, His wife was young, beau
titul, and had been raised by his low
from poverty and hard toll Sne had
splendid home, devoted husband, an
? four fine children. Her power over he
husband was very great, and not tn
Z. weakest Of her weapons was this sulky
fearful, injured silence. But she had n
o tact she strained the bow too far, and
n snapped. | shall never forget the month
. of misery preceding their final separation
d And in society he bore all the blam,
y Was his wife not strictly virtuous? Wa
she not very beautiful, and notoriousl
excellent housekeeper? What then, di
- he want3 He answered them as the ol
Roman did on a similar occasion. StooI
, ing down, he loosened his shoe, inquirin
rs it not new ? is 1t not well-made
Yet none of you can tell ,chere ii pinch,
me-" That is just the kind Of miser,
Try it you can bear a pinching she
month after month it is no more irritat
- ing than sulky woman.
But there is no vice which may not |
,o conquered, and this one easier than mo
5, others. For if you only determine to d
'' so. every influence will be in your favo
Husband, children, aud servants will vo