Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-12-25

Ol COuueClluB DlmselI Win the DuSlueSss
1 must admit that 1 was quite interested
in him, and felt pleased when sometimes
he would bring me some favorite book
about which we had convorsed and ex-
changed views, or ask my opinion on some
magazine article that was engrossing pub
lie attention. / had never given a thought
to his relations in life-whether he was
married or single he had simply been to
me pleasant episode among my daily la
bors and the flash Of his blue eyes and
his frank smile, when saluting me, at
first considered as merely among the 9th
or usual incidents Of my daily life.
1t was during a somewhat extended con-
versation, one day, some weeks sfler our
first acquaintance, that the thought flashed
across my mind that lie had seen trouble
and was unhappy in connection with his
affections. His opinions of The female sex,
l discovered upon probing him n little,
were not very enthusiastic or rosC-colored.
Sometimes, when speaking OF marriage
and its relations, thought his remarks
very cynical aud bitter and once or twice
he criticised some of my young and fash
ionable pupils very severely, seeming to
have a very poor opinion of them as TO
their usefulness as probable wives and
mothers. / naturally always defended my
sex and once when Ilaughngly express
ed my belief that If | ever should see the
woman destined to be his wife, it would
no doubt be one Of those same pretty, use
less, fashionable creatures against whom
he rallied so btlerly-a look ur pain passed
across his lace, that set me 10 thinking
that had toucAed Il sore spot in his expe-
rience.
We became very good friends, eventual
| ly; indeed, l am afraid that should | cou-
fess to the truth, we INDUCED a little in
harmless and pleasant Irritation. l know
that was always pleased 10 see hin and
| am sure that he vflen fingered beside me
in manner savOring little OF dev Oiion.
| Still this was only on the surface and
| grew more and more certain from a mel
ancholy that often possessed him, that there
was some secret connected with his dOmes-
tic life of an unhappy character.
| At last, from au accidental remark OF one
of my employers, discovered the "skele-
ton in his closet" lie was q married mau,
| but separated from his wife. think that
1 felt little panied at the information
and certainly could not help the GOODNESS
of my manner when next l met him. He
saw the change, and asked with his eyes
for an explanation, though not with his
tongue. Had lie taken the latter liberty,
it is very possible that l might have told
him, aud then-ths story would never
| have been written! As it was, few hours
thoroughly calmed me; showing me some
thing Of the imprudence of which l had
been guilty, in making so close an ac-
quaintance with a man about whom l lit
orally knew nothing; and reused all the
woman within me, in pride and dim sus-
| picion of revenge.
That revenge was much nearer than l
could possibly have dreamed and unlike
most revenges, no sorrow is entaiied by the
recollection. But of that anon. Follow
ing the discovery, the first thing did wa 5
to enlarge it by lscertaining particulars
how, is matter Of no con sequence in con-
nectiun with this story. What addition
ly discovered, however, is Of consequence.
He had married petted, wayward, beau
tiful girl-the only child Of wealthy pa
rents, who had by injudicious manage
ment fostered every weakness Of her char
acter. He had formed her acquaintance,
and married her amer a short courtship,
while on a visit TO her native town, and af-
ter few months removed 10 the city where
he now made his residence. He had
brought her home TO the house OF his
mother, who, with his sister, was Of the
true New England type. They were thor
ough- going, practical women, notable
housekeepers, slightly Puritanical in their
beliefs, and holding very little sympathy
with youth and inc xperiehce. The young
wife was impulsive, unused TO discipline
OF any kind, careless, ignorant Of any hab-
its OF industry, but warm-hearled and af-
fectionate. No doubt a very trouble some
relative TO the staid, methodical women
with whom she took up her residence.
Unfortunately for the wife, also, her hus-
band had been taught TO look up t. hi'
mother and sister as the best OF women
and had fondly iancied that when bis new
treasure came under their control all thOs'
, little weaknesses vi which be had soon be
, come aware after their marriage, would b'
, cured by their example and advice. Blu
, his sanguine hopes were doomed 10 earl.
disappointment. Instead of his wife grow
5 ing docile and yielding, she became mon
a willful and intraclable, rebelled with {
. high spirit against any rule, and looked up
' on her husband more as a companion will
q whom 10 enjoy The amusemeuts OF fash
ionable society, than as nelpmate an
friend with whom to pass through the tri
q ais and cares of life. Still she had a Sin
a heart aud warm affections; and had NOR
4 love and sympathy been exhibited in con
q nectiun wth efforts 10 change her habit:
= and less cold, severe exactions shown o
I the part of her husbands relatives, III
event might have been better for all. A
a last tie usual result followed. Quarrel
n became of frequeal occurrence; esIrangC
e ment grew up between husband and vile
and it was only year afler their marriaa
9. that the young wife, Que day, after pa
q sionate outbreak and most unhappy seer
v with her husband, left his houe and r.
l. turned TO that of her parents, Here 81
was not only received with open arms, b
g. condoled and sympathized with 10 h
in great injury-a divorce proposed, aud !
W chance of reconciliation destroyed.
Of Such was the painful story, as l Gathert
to the parliculars-no rare one in the world,
e. am quite aware, aud yet sad enough as en-
Mt bodying the wreck o: two lives. Perha
Ie a knowledge of the whole sollened n
lis pride toward Mr.. Lee a trifie, though II
n no means cured my wounded seli-respe
ee or put me more at ease with myself. WI
more acquaintance might have followed
7 uncertain perhaps none whatever, und
- the changed conditions nor have l I