Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-12-29
The Young wife.
A TEMPERANCE SKETCH.


is the human heart; and few, all, ho,o fer,
understand it Alright Many, all unconscious
Of their doings, it may be, are fast hasten
ing some loved, or once loved one, 10 the
silent grave. Aye, many n wife is journey
ing thither. Husband, dost thou know this?
Hast thou seen, day after day, her cheek
palng, her eyes sinking, and her once buoy
ant step becoming slow, measured and
weared Dost thou know that for thee
she is suffering thus ? o. no thou cdnai
not have known it, else would thy heart
have taken her to home-an undivided
home, and infused thy life into hers. But
learn now, O husband, ere it be too late,
what treasure thou art losing. Save her,
O sdUe her
Ady Fulton was my friend Thrown to-
gether among strangers, in strange land,
we were soon even as sisters. Indeed, by
our schoomates for, reader, we were school
girls THEY'VE were always called and
treated thus In the same classes with the
same cares aud pleasures from day 10 day,
and with naturally a similarity OF tastes, no
wonder we became inseparable companions.
Not that we were outwardly alike at all.
O, no she was all gentleness, weakness and
love; | more passionate headstrong and
wlful. But underneath all this we found
Nluluilils IL HldtANIth li'A NitAN NAlNlH 1Ail
we were satisfied.
For year we remained thus, constantly
together. Then ! was called away Our
parting it will never, never he forgotten.
For years we met not again. She returned
TO her own pleasant and far off home, and
entered upon the daily routine Of a teachers
life During the first twelve months our
correspondence remained unbroken. In that
time she was engaged TO be married, and re-
moved still farther from me. Then her
letters were full Of Joy aud hope. The future
was all bright and there seemed not a
shadow on her young and sunny heart
By-and-by her letters grew short less fire.
quent, aud finally ceased altogether
For three years heard not from her. At
the end Of that time letter came. With
what cagerness ! broke the seal for | well
knew tlit delicate signature, II brought
the intelligence Of her return home, and an
earnest invitation for me to visit her clos
ing with these words, Come 10 me soon
Lizzie or my woru-out spirit will have
winged its way before YOU" hastcned
thither. She was indeed well-uigh the
spirit land :" yet she seemed happy, mex
pressibly 50. Her husband was with her,
aud now for the first time, saw him. !
wondered not that he had Won that gentle
being for his bride, or that She so soou be-
came his for more noble generous hearted
aud devoted husband never saw.
The DAY passed-for | had arrived ia the
morning-and Ally had just had sufficient
strength to be assisted 10 o seat meath favor
tie tree in front Of the house, and TO her room
again. o. such a change Once so healthy,
lively aud buoyant, now she seemed more
a shadowy sylph from fairy land, than liv-
ing, moving person Yet the same clear
brow was there, the same calm blue eye and
sweet expression. Her voice, too, had only
mellowel into more perfect harmony, and her
heart TO a more kindly warmth. At even
ing she called me TO her side. Come hither.
my friend said she, " for would faiu speak
of those days when seemed to have for
gotten You. No one on earth. not even my
parents, knew how much suffered ! could
not tell them for the memory, even,
would too deeply wound their hearts Bat
YOU shall know all I" aud with her head upon
my shoulder, and her hand caspel Ia mine,
She related her past sorrows. A. nearly rs
| can, will give them 10 YOU, though may
add much Of herself which moiesty forbade
her speaking.
The first few months after her marriage
were those OF unalloyed happiness. Her
husband was largely engaged In the mer-
camille business, in a Western city, aud
naught but prosperity and happiness shone
on their pathway. But she awoke from
this bissiul dream to find that he who was
to bo her guide and companion through
life was all unworthy the sacred charge.
ne ,rds lifemperaie Oh who rlay tell the
sorrows of that young and devoted wife,
when first the conviction burst upon her
It well-nigh forced the life blood from her
veins. She had been too close an observer
Of human nature not to see and feel the
danger.
Slowly aud almost imperceptibly the fatal
habit grew upon him. Night after night
would he come home untitled, even, 10 dis.
robe himself and retire. Patiently and gently
would she assist him. even ms a fond mother
her young and helpless child. Not a word
Of ceusure had ever passed her lips. lie
ever found his home cheerful pleasant and
ready to welcome the waudercr. Ever his
wife took especial care TO please him. Was
there a favorite dish OF his She had it pre-
pared. Had lac choice among her frocks
or the color Of ribbon it was sure %
greet him on his return. In short, all her
talents and energy were bent on pleasing
him.
Noble generous woman. Could thy hus-
band but have seen thy entire and heartfelt
devotion, thy almost uuearthly forbearauce
with all his unkindness, he could not have
continued his downward course. But his
eye was blinded, his heart shut Thou must
still bear on, suffer on.
Soon his business was neglected his credit
gone, and naught but want aud priyaton
seemed staring him in the face. Path
fully and O how feelingy, did Ady plead
with him for his return to love and duty.
Sometimes he would promise, solennly
promise, never 10 touch the cursed thing
again. But, alas, for his resolutions They
fled, even as a name craven on sand. Yet
the wife prayed on, hoped on, loved on.
Was he not dearer TO her than all Others,
even in his very degradation All how
few men know the heart of loving and de-
voted wife True, there are some who do.
Would to Heaven there were more for then
would much OF crime flee from our midst
Poverty came upon them, aud Ady--the
once tender and delicately reared Ady-
toiled for their daily bread. She had been
taught every accomplishment, and now, in
their hour of need, well knew how TO turn
them TO account She was known and
valued, and found no difficulty in obtaining
classes. Not word Of complaint, not a
word of her suffering either, was breathed
aloud. She might have gone to her pa
rents and again found home but could
she expose him' No no she would do
anything rather than that. lie might event
ually reform. She would speak nothing
which should then lessen him in the estima-
ton Of Others
Thus patiently and YEARLY she toiled on.
With her husband, matters grew worse
and worse. Now, unkindness was often
meted out to her, whence naught but
kindness came This was the hardest stroke
of all. She had borne poverty, want, toll
aud loneliness uncomplainingly but when
he gave her harsh words, and blows even,
it was more than she could bear. Her worn
out energies relaxed, and she was laid on a
couch of suffering. A kind and faithful
neighbor watched over her; for even then
the husband gave her but little notice. She
had been i'll nearly week ere the physician
was called. lie then pronounced her dan.
gerously i'll, and sought Mr.. Moore, telling
him his fears. The now half-sobered man
received the intelligence with fearful shud-
der. lie had not deemed her thus i'll. Once
more all the former husband revived in his
bosom, and he fastened to her couch. Never
before had he noticed her altered looks
Thin and pale, she seemed more a corpse
than his once fresh and blooming ADV. She
knew him not but in her Inconsistencies
called constantly for lIenry-for that was
her husbands name. With all the eloquence
of heartfelt love and anguish, she would
aaraxf 10.