The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-19
FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE.


Rutherford she took him for better AID for
worse until death did them part She
die not promise to cleavc TO him in the sun
shine only, and when the sea OF life was
smooth and sparkling. She took an oath and
called God and friends to witness that
she would be with him when the
storms arose and when the pillows were
rough and forSaking all Others, she Won d
cltage 10 him Only.
1t was an easy thing to say this because
the man ID whom she thus bound herself
was young, h sDdsome and rich. He was
kind dis. osition aud domestic in his
lasts. He hai nothing AGAINST him and
everything in MS favor lie loved herand
she loved him after be- own selfish fashion.
That she would ever be called on to make
any sacrifice Of comfort or feeling for loves
sake she never dreamed. She fsnci5d, il she
ever thought at all abous the mat er, that
her married life would be one long holiday,
full Of iOYe, and PLEASURE aad riches, such
life as her past had been, when. sheltered IN
her ftther's house, she knew only the bTighs
sd uf existence. Young and petIed, thus
she married, without thought of the true
meaning Of the solemn oath she took before
the altar of the church, with her numerous
friends o. witness 8.
At first ''all went merry as a marriage
bell" There were no clouds in the matri-
monial skiss-nOihing but sunshine and
serenity. She was loving and happy; she
was placid and amiable, because there was
no q sturbing element in he r home to make
her otherwise. Size could not be discOntented
or pesvish amid the choice gifts Heaven had
thr-wn around her. II is 50 easy to be calm
and gentle when our pa hway is linsd with
roses and the sunshine spsrSleS overhead;
bur when cur feet tire d on the tbo-Ds, and
tIis nlackness gathers around ana the storm
mu tiers in III y, then is the lime that tries
our very sOul and ii Is hard TO smile and be
happy amid the t-ials that encompass us.
A Tribie financial storm swept over the
cOan,Ty, and maay a rich argOsy went down
am a tue darkness One merchant drew in
another, and John Rutherford found himself
struggling in the pillows, with no possible
way of escape. Go down he must aud go
down he did He failed, despite his ex.
ertiCns keep his business shoat
As he sat IN his counting house, striving to
realize the extent of tee disaster, his thoughts
naturally reverted to his young wife. How
would he face her with tie sad story, and
how would she receive it? 0i-courss she
would love him still, and even love him bet
ter. She would cleaye 20 him more fondly
and closely for the sOrIo.s that had over
taken him. For, he thought, what is love
worth If il flies when the storm approaches
if it shrinks back with disInsy when the way
grows dark and dTeary. This surely was not
the kind of love his wife pledged him oae
yeSr ago, "for better for worse, until death
did them part"
Seated In her luxurious home, John Ruth
ert0rd's wife locked up pleas 4ntly as her
husband came into the room. She ex.
claimed, merrily:
am so glad you have come; my sister
Annie and her husband are going to Europe,
and they wish us to accompany them. or
course we will go, John
She had not noticed the sad eyes that were
looking at her with an anxious trouble ex-
pr~sson.
Il have terrible news to tell you, Mary"
was the answer
She grew suddenly pale. She had never
had sorrow in her life, this young, pet ed
child OF fortune, in whose garland OF life
there was not one withered bad.
Terrible news, john
"I am ruined Mary; / nave filled
struggled against it, but it was no use, and
like many others, have gone down."
Il don't exactly understand you, john
was the reply. in tremulous tones. "You
don't mean that you have lost all your
money!
"All, Mary"
''Why. how are we 10 llve?'
She was only thinking of this. There was
no sympathy expressed for the man for
whom She bad left father and mother. and
kindred and home. There was not one word
of loving affection to fall like balm upon his
troubled heart.
"We must give up our luxury, Mary, and
i've plainly. FOR my sake, you Will be
willing TO do this" and he put his arm low
ingly around her. "All have now is your
love-"
She burst into passionate flood OF weep
ing. They were not tears of sympathy, but
tears of keen regret for the glittering show
of wealth passing from her life.
Where was the womanly sympathy, the
wlfely tenderness to which John Rutherford
bad looked for sustaining help? Where was
the unselfish devotion which cried out with
the voice Of enduring love: Whittier thou
goest will go; thy people shall be my
people; thy destiny my Destiny; thy sor-
rows my SORROWS, and thy God my G0dl''
Truly the delicate harp love had been struck,
and instead of giving forth the melody OF
trust and unchanging devotion, had sent out
the barsh tones of selfish GOODNESS and utter
unfeelingness.
There was nothing in his wife's character
to sustain John Rutherford in his trials. and
he now fully realized on how frail staff he
leaned when he took her love for comfort
and strength. Like many women, she was
all loveliness and JOY when she had nothing
10 make Der anything else. She never com