Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1874-04-07
Srltttr0 StOrp.
\ WIFE'S STORY.

1t was little sweet face that came to
ne just at time when my bark WAS fast
neMing the pillows. II WAS but short
time. three years, that | called hey mine !;
but looking back upon all the past /
,remble TO thiuS whI, might have been
had her presence never frightened my
lie and laugh, me my duty.
/ 1, was Just before the late wax between
the North aud South that I became the
vie OF = navy oli,cr lie WAS many
years my sonio-, but it was a union Of
hearts lOr all. lie WAS reserved aud
diguitied as became us position; was
gay and lish, hearted almost to irivo.i,y,
/ think now. lie often pleasantly
chidcd me Tor my gaycty. saying | ought
to settle down nov that had such an
old fashioned husband. Bat kaov he
was most pleased when was most
ctcUlul. SO accepted his cAiIjn.s in the
spin, in which they Neye administered.
At The breaking out o: Tue wat ny
husband had been ordered to l., small
station created for the emergency, there
TO take command OF a vessc. being fitted
up Tor service in The Mississippi sql4J
ron. Ot course l accompanied him. L.
was a small town, OF no note un;il the
NAT converted i, into naval station,
Illus bringing labor AMI money to lis
inhabitants. Oh ldc society The least said
The better.
There were guile number oil officer,
stationed there. most OF them married
men. who wiki their wives made Up oar
society. We were constantly resorling
% ways and means 10 hui time. There
MAS ono family OF some pre,eusious ia
the p,scewhJ frequently joined our circle,
aud at whose house we were quite as
frequently invited; bat owing to my
husbands retlcd habits We ourselves
seldom wca;. Tais WAS not altogether
satisfactory to one OF my temperament.
and when would hear the officers wives
talking over these festivities | lonsod
with AL the fcryor OF . child to plrici
/ pate iu them. "lou are Juryiag Your
sell alive" one would SAY, aud another
add. You are as old as your husband
now" Ard Mrs. S.lnhope, the Nife OF
our surgeon, once advised me to 20 wiki
out him, "o,her ladies' do" she added.
But my pride and common sense forbade
that. had always considered i: a wiie's
duty to respect tie wishes ol her husband,
and | was little surprised that Mrs.
Slanhopc, a lady at least fifteen years my
senior, should thus advise me.
Oae night the officers were TO give a
bali on board Of the boa. then In my
husbands command 1t WAS the first
regular ball they had given, -tde PIE
yious entertainments were merely sociaI
parties. Arrangements had been made
to make this quite 4 grand sftir for that
out Of The way place.
Nv husband had not altogether ap.
proved OF tue measure, although he hat
consented 10 it.
You will surely attend, | remarked
As he expressed TO me bis disapprobaiion
1t being on board your own vessel i
would hardly look we'll TO stay away"
YES, will 90; but Clara, heartily
disapproyc of such festivities a, a time
when our country is so oyershadowe'
with war
The evening Of the ball at lengtl
arrived. All so far had been entirely
favorable, and delightful! time VA
anticipated.
The dance had already commenced
when an orderly came in search of M
husband. There had come dispaIci
ordering my husband to report to NJ \
once. IL leave you in charge Of Lieut.
Morris. he said rs he impaired the new
to me, a; the same time bowias to th
Lieutenant who was with him.
Il accept the trust" he replied grace
fully.
Il shall probably be back the day aiie
to morrow at the farthcs,," he continued
and bidding me good. bye We pa'ied'
Lieutenant Morris was the oldest Office
in tie squadron there except my husbapd
lie was unmarried. very aT1ble in hi
manners and uprigh: in department. an'
a universal lavorile.
Flushed With gaie;y. l entered Tito tn
enjoymenls Of The hour with keel
relish.