Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-09-05

anu nanu-auu Lney are married. 10.
gether they lived for many years, she,
living mystery to the practical man
by her side. Lonely and isolated
her life had passed, and she had new.
err sought companionship save with
her own thoughts. Joy and sorrow,
age and beauty, brought no look OF
brightness to her face. She shrank
from sympathy and friendship with
an icy GOODNESS; and when she died,
few tears fell upon the spiritually calm
and beautiful face resting within the
coffin
And now the dreamer is carried
back to her city home. She sees the
large snowy parlor OF her late board
ing house. A lawyer sits by the
crate with contracted brow, ponder
ing upon the speed he is to make to-
morrow, which, if successful, will
bring goodly amount to his pocket,
now heavy with greenbacks. A we'll
known merchant sits with smiling
countenance, too happy for words, for
he has made princely fortune this
day; but broker sits gloomy and
distracted, for she has speculated
largely in stocks, which are nearly
worthless. But now she starts, for
she beholds herself open the door, and
enters the room. She is glad all are
preoccupied-for unbidden thoughts
like these rush through her brain:
"To-day l am forty years old.
From the day / emerged from the
school-room l have been heartless
woman of fashion. l see during the
whole course of my past life, no rec
ord save that of balls, parties, fiirta-
tions, wasted talents, and neglected
opportunities, and more than halt the
allotted span of human life is passed,
without one noble word or deed to
mark its flight. But l will not think
1t is time to act. How dreadful |!
have, without thought of old age,
arrived at its threshold without get.
ting married Bah 7"
The door now again opens, and the
doctor appears, erect and portly,
quite gray, and sixty years of age.
"No NATTER" said the speaker, she
shall he my victim" She soon gets
introduced and the doctor, though
at first silent and reserved, is soon
flattered and pleased by her sweet
smiles. A few more interviews, and
fourth marriage contract is fulfilled;
and, without soul or feeling, she is
entering upon o new state of exis-
tence.
She awoke, and tears were stream
ing down her cheeks The fire had
burned low, and the ashes were dull
and dead. The doctor had not ar
rived and she had need of leisure to
compose herself, and reflect upon her
future course. A wise thought
dawned upon her soul--she would
pray; and her voice went up in
short, earnest petition to her heavenly
Father.
She arose changed woman. Her
course was decided upon. She would
lead such life, with Gods help, as
would advance His glory upon earth !;
and when death called her away, she
would live in the memory of those
with whom she had mingled on earth;
and not leave a blank record behind
her, as the doctors other wives had
done. She knew they were good and
blameless women but what had they
done for others? peaceful they
lived. peaceful they died" She
would do that, and more.
And now she calls the housekeeper.
A bright fire is soon rekindled, and
lamps are lighted and brought into
the parlor. She calls upon the doc
tors assistant, who cheerfully helps
her in unpacking some fine paintings,
and beautiful vases. These are taste
fully arranged, az is also handsome
center-tabIe, with books of elegant
binding, and all the late literary jour-
nails thrown carelessly upon it. She
also twines some rich camelias in her
own dark hair, and throws open the
long-neglected piano. In the midst
of favorite song she is reused by
the touch of loving hand upon her
shoulder. She turns and sees her
husband, his eyes bright with tears.
"Marianne," he says, 81 did not
know that you could sing so sweetly /;
and how bright my home appears,
and find you looking SO happy. /
did not expect it." She laid her hand
lovingly upon his shoulder, and they
were quite happy, and felt almost
| young again.
People soon began to say that old
DR.. Goodspeed loved his fourth wife
best of all; for he could not bear to
take his daily rounds without she sat
by his side; and his patients longed
for the sound of her gentle voice that
when she could not 60, she sent nice
broths and jellies to tempt the appe-
tite. Even the rude boy across the
way no longer calls the doctors house
pill-box; for how can he, when the
windows are flied with roses and GER
anums, and cages Of sweet singing
birds. The doctor had never found
time to 60 to church on Sundays but
now he is seldom abeent, and the
hitherto neglected contribution-box
now stops at his pew. Family prayers
daily ascend from his dwelling, and
in6rm find ready sympathy from their
kind hearts. The doctor and his wife
are both growing old but | think she
will survive him. Yet the end will
soon come to both, and they will
meet in that "better land" where
"there is no marrying or giving in
marriage, but where all are as the an
gels in heaven.
A correspondent of the country
gentlemen gives the following recipe