Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-03
Praise Among the Married.


Yes, among the married. Why should
they not speak kindly Of each otherY The
voice of commendation is sweet, doubly
sweet from the lips Of those we love. It
chills the best feelings, awakens the highest
aspirations, when continuous and sacrificing
effort calls forth no kindly retuns-no words
Of cheer, of encouragement The snow is
ever unimpressible in the deep, hollow re-
cesses Of the mountain cliff, where no strag-
Cling beam Of merry sunshine melts it with
kisses cold and white it sleeps in perpetual
shadow, till its soft roundness congeals into
ice. And 50 the heart, if forced to abide in
the shadow Of frowns, under the continual
dropping Of hard, unkindly words, will as
simulate itself to its mate and become a sad,
lstless heart, lying heavily and cold in the
bosom that should be all filled with glowing
sympathies.
Husbands often do not know with what
ceaseless solicitude the duties of a wife and
mother are accompanied. They leave home
early, many Of them; the routine Of bust
ness, the same as it was Yesterday, and will
be months 10 come, Is so thoroughly digested
that the performance is measurably without
annoyance. They have no heavy or wear
ing household work to do, no freiting little
ones hanging on TO their garments now to
nurse. now to correct, now to instruct. while
still the dusting, and the cleansing, and the
preparing Of food must be going on, and the
little garments must be nicely fitted and
made, or all would be untidiness aud confu-
sion. Yet how many an adroit manager
contrives to get through with all this, viii
ling-if she is but appreciated, and her valu-
able services esteemcd-to endure calmly the
trials incident to her lot, keeping care from
a pleasant face by a merry spirit and cheer
ful demeanor
But if She never hears the kindly (" / thank
YOU" or beholds the beautiful smile that un-
uttered gratitude spreads upon the counter
ance OF him for whom she has forsaken all,
what immeasurable anguish will she not
experience
We have often thought how poignant must
be grief how heavy the disappointment Of
the young wife, when she first learns that
the husband of her choice is totally indiffer-
ent to her studied efforts to please. He has
many times, in former days, praised the
glossy beauty of her sunny hair, and
curled its rings of gold around his fingers.
lie has gazed in her face until il is stamped
upon the tablets of his heart, yet-through
utter thoughtleSsness-he forgets now that
it has been such a talsman of goodness and
purity to him, or old associations have made
him too much their own, to play the lover
after the solemn words of ceremony are
spoken. lie has given her his honor, and
home his name his means what more can
she want
Gayly as the bird upon the tree by her
doorside does she 60 caroling about her
work. The day seems one long year-but
still twilight does come, and she awaits the
return Of her husband lie has, perhaps, but
slender resources he is laboring man.
and their cottage is humble and low-roofed.
How light is her step; how happy her
brow. Like a skilful painter, she has
touched and re-touched all the slender iuxu-
ries of her home, till they seem to her like
the adornings of paradise. She has taste.
refinement, quick perception of the deli
cate and beautiful though mayhap she
never has piled her needle at worsted tapes
try, traced the outlines of single tree or
flower, or elected sweet sounds from harp or
piano.
The hearth is bright and red-not a speck
of dust visible. She has brought out ali her
boarded wealth and the tables, the new
vanished bureau, and the armchair back
shine in snowy garniture. She has placed
the little pictures in the best light, hung up
the wide sampler-her child work at school
made all things look cheerful and bright
placed boquet of brilliant flowers upon the
neat supper table, and another in the fire
place, and with pleasant anticipations she
awaits his return.
How cheerful everything looks" she
murmurs and how pleased he will be !
He will commend my care and taste"
Presently the wel-known step draws near;
she flies with happy smile to meet him, and
together they enter their mutual home
What no sign of surprise--no new de-
light on his features
Does he receive all her attention as a mat
ter OF course-something looked for, ex-
pected, easily done, and without price Can
he not pay her the tribute of glad smile
Alas he does not believe in praise his wife
must be disnterested; must look upon these
performances as stern duties; If he praise
now, and forget TO praise again, they may be
discontinued.
She is disappointed, chagrined and un-
less taste and perfect neatness are indispen-
sable TO her own comfort, she gradually
wearies in well doing, when little kindly
encouragement a little praise, might have
stimulated her to constant exertion.
Many a wife becomes careless of her ap-
I pearance because of her husbands indiffer.
ence. Now in the simple matter of dress.
not SO simple either-how often men think
it beneath their notice to approve the choice
of their COMPANIONS We once remarked to
a gentleman that his wife displayed most adj
mirable taste in her attire, and what think
you was his answer? With a sigh we re-
! cord ID Has She Well | shOuld hardly
| l.,,.... ..l..l,,.. ~ l. 4 -. . - - -. =
satin dress /" W. ;nyn,"nta,;I,s % S;.l;LoS
him and tborobt thot s' tha nx',rns. s.;on m',on
tba conntonamca ant w.
Now we 90 I;Is "lo 20 sao sae pshand phnr not;ce
smch ,b;ngs e,,an % 20 ~ ,srt;cnlari,, ~ We %VI i;te
to hear I'm DIVA liz on;',inm as 70 ,.he,her
We are nIcased to See father nterested ~ .J IN