The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-12-04
VOLUME 2.

/ flashed across NV mind that he had seen
trouble and was unhappy in connection
with his affections His opinions of the
/ female sex, discovered upon probing
4 him little, were not very enthusiastic
or rose colored. Sometimes, when speak
/ ing of marriage and its relations, ]
/ thought his remarks rather cynical and
( bitter; and once or twice he criticised
some of my young and fashionable pu-
/ pills very severely, seeming to have
very poor opinion of them as to their
usefulness as probable wives and moth
ers. naturally always defended my
sex; and once when l laughingly ex-
pressed my belief that if ! ever should
/ see the woman destined to be his wife, 1t
would no doubt be one of those same
pretty, useless, fashionable creatures
against whom he rallied so bitterly-a
look of pain passed across his face, that
set me to thinking that had touched a
sore spot in his experience.
We became very good friends, event
ually; indeed, / am afraid that should
confess to the truth, we INDUCED little
in harmless and pleasant Irritation. l
know that 1 was always pleased to see
him; and l am sure that he often linger-
ed beside me in manner savoring lit
tie of devotion. Still this was only on
the surface; and grew more and more
certain from a melancholy that often
possessed him, that there was some Sc
cret connected with his domestic life, of
an unhappy character.
At last, from an accidental remark of
one of my employers, discovered the
Skeleton in his closet" He was mar
ried man, but separated from his wife.
l think that felt little panied at the
information; and 1 certainly could not
help the coldness of my manner when
next / met him. He saw the change,
and asked with his eyes for an explana-
ton, though not with his tongue. Had
he taken the latter liberty, it is very
possible that might have told him, and
then-this story would never have been
writtenl As it was, few hours thor
oughly calmed me; showing me some
thing of the imprudence of which had
been guilty, in making SO close an ac-
ouaintance with a man about whom
knew literally nothing; and reused all
the woman within me, in pride and dim
suspicion of revenge.
That revenge was much nearer than
could possibly have dreamed; and un-
like most revenges, no sorrow is entailed
by the recollection. But of that anon.
Following the discovery, the first thing
did was to enlarge it by ascertaining
particulars-how, is a matter of no con-
sequence in connection with this story.
What additionally discovered, howev-
ever, is of consequence.
He had married a petted. wayward,
beautiful girl-the only child of wealthy
agement fostered every weakness of her
character. He had formed her acquaint-
ance, and married her after short
courtship, while on visit to her native
town, and after few months removed
, to the city where he now made his res
idenee. He had brought her home tC
the house of his mother, who, with his
sister, was of the true New England
type. They were thorough going, prac-
/ teal women, notable housekeepers
slightly Puritanical in their beliefs, and
holding very little sympathy with youth
: and inexperience. The young wife was
: impulsive, unused to discipline of any
kind, careless, ignorant of any habits o
: industry, but warm-hearted and affec
tionate. No doubt very troublesome
/. relative to the staid, methodical womer
with whom she took up her residence.
Unfortunately for the wife, also, he
husband had been taught to look up tc
his mother and sister as the best of wo
men, and had fondly fancied that wher
his new treasure came under their con
troll all those little weaknesses of which
he had soon become aware after mar
! riage, would he cured by their example
. and advice. But his sanguine hope
were doomed to early disappointment
Instead of his wife growing docile an'
: yielding, she became more willful ant
l intractable, rebelled with high spiri
against any rule, and looked upon he
- husband more as a companion will
!, whom to enjoy the amusements of fash
= ionable society, than as helpmate ant
friend with whom to pass through tn
trials and cares of life. Still she had
kind heart and warm affections; and ha
. more love and sympathy been exhibits
Ii in connection with efforts to change he
habits, and less cold, severe ex
n bands relatives, the event might hav
l better for all. At last the usual resul
u followed. Quarrels became of frequer
'e occurrence; estrangement grew up bt
D tween husband and wife; and it was onl
l. a year after their marriage that th
g young wife, one day, after passionat
$ outbreak and most unhappy scene wit
ID her husband, left his home and returne
x, to that of her parents. Here she ws
re not only received with open arms, br
condoled and sympathized with to he
I great injury-a divorce proposed, an
E. all chance of reconciliation destroyed.
re Such was the painful story, as I gail
at cred the particulars-no rare one in Il
ne world, 1 am quite aware, and yet sa
re enough as embodying the wreck of tv
r. lives. Perhaps a knowledge of Il
,k whole softened my pride toward NJ
a. Lee trife, though it by no means Gu
a ed my wounded self-respect or put n
W. more at ease with myself. What mo
e. acquaintance might have followed is u
81 certain; perhaps none whatever und
se the changed conditions; nor have Il
Ii clearest idea how my revenge won
as have been accomplished, had / not be-
lv favorad hv now and unaxnactod airouY