The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-04-06
The Doctors Wife.

Near the old village church just around
the corner Of the green, where the May
pole used to stand, and where the geese
and the ducks wandered about at their
own sweet will, lived old Thomas IIus-
band. He was widower, left with the
charge Of three soDs and one daughter
who were brought up by him, as all his
neighbors admitted, in most creditable
manner. The sons followed his own
trade of carpenter, the daughter kept
house, which situation she had filled from
the age Of fifteen years, at which period
her mother had died. She was the village
belle, in figure and face strikingy beauti-
full. Her hair was of the richest auburn,
and was allowed to fall in natural ringlets
upon her shoulders She had large,
brown, liquid eyes, and her complexion,
although sunburnt, showed more Of the
| lily than the rose. need not add that
She had many admirers, but she appeared
to oe quite insensibe to their attentions,
and devoted herself with rare self.denal
to the care Of her aged father. Her
father was one morning found insensiblc
in his bed, had hsd paralytic stroke in
the night, and the doctor called in was
struck with the remarkable beauty OF the
young nurse. lie was a young man Of
regular habits, tolerably clever in his pro.
lession, and belonging TO family which
had lost its wealth, but not its family
pride. Successive visits only served to
fan the fame which had been kindled in
his bosom, and he wooed and won the
lovely Elizabeth His friends objected
to such match. but his mind was made
up, and one morning the church bell,
rang out a merry peal as they left it,
porch with the vows Of husband aud wife
upon them. From the church she went
at onee to take possession OF her new
home, and soon acquired the tone and
habits Of a sphere which, though new tC
her, she was in many respects well quail
fed to fill. There were many points o.
contrast between her aud her husband
, lie was little, red.iaccd. jolly-lookinE
man-ful of fire aud iun-would tall
very gravely Tor Il while, but seldom fail
cd TO conclude his discourse with som,
smart saying, at which, if he laughed Il
all, it was with closely. compressed lip
| and low gurgle in the throat Iii
> wife, on the other hand, was rather tall
quiet and somewhat reserved i'll manner
I aud combined much iirmness with gentle
D ness and affection. Years rolled on dur
ing which one son and six daughters wer
. born to them and up 10 the birth Of tb
a Youngest, their domestic happiness ha,
[ been almost unclouded, After tha
n trouble came Their table was richl
furnished with all the necesshlies an,
/ many OF the luxuries Of life of all tn
latter she partook sparingly, but of on
= luxury she could not at any time be in
Y duced to taste That luxury was win
u and the other forms Of alcoholic drink
$ TO all these she had strong dislike, no
+. as Il matter OF principle, but Of taste
She had never tasted them from child
It hood, and the smell of them produce
nausea. She sucked her children with
# out the aid OF beer or porter, and retain
o ed her vigorous health. But after tn
!. birth Of her youngest child her heal,
r declined and her husband. on carefu