Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-11-08


and reflection, and she soon began to have
some misgivings as to the right of the
course she had been pursuing, and also as
to it's wisdom, Right and wisdom are, in
fact, the same thing.
Jane Lovett was at heart woman OF
good motives and kind feelings, though, as
we have seen, she had an irritable, uncOm.
Portable temper. Her temperament was
nervous, as that of too many women in
these days-our grandmothers would have
called them cross, ugly, or most likely
scolds and vixens; but, in the light of our
philanthrophy, we know better-dear
hearts they are nervous!
Jane Lovett was nervous-she had too
much regard for trifles, a too-lively concep-
ton of evilsand too little facility in adapting
herself to circumstances. She was also af
fectionate and imaginative, and in her girl
hood had formed high ideal for her lover.
Her opportunities Of acquaintance with
her husband before marriage were limited,
and SO she loved and hoped and trusted he
was all she would desire in a lifelong
companion and lord. Yes, lord, for she
had an idea that she would like to look up
to somebody, lean upon him, cling to him,
reverence him, and all that sort Of thing.
How was she disappointed What a
change few weeks of married life does
sometimes make in woman's future !.
William Lovett was man of very good
natural feelings. and endowments, and
could make himself very agreeable when
he tried, else he never would have won his
wife-but he had few of the qualifications
that make domestic life paradise for wo-
men. He had been reared alone, without
any home discipline and education, and
was often thoughtless and inconsiderate of
others, and sometimes selfish. He lacked
all the useful and convenient, though I'M
appreciated habits of order, tidiness and
promptness; and what was worse for
man, he even lacked industry and energy
He could arouse himself for an emergency,
but it was only for that, and then he sank
hack into his former Indifferent, careless
ease.
I Such character was least of all in &C.
cordance with that of Jane, who was pos
sessed of great energy, and had been train
ed to carefulness and industry.
At first she was greatly distressed in her
disappointment, and recently lamented
her fate in bitterness Of spirit, but keen
feelings do not last long. She gradually
grew accustomed to her lot, and endeavor-
ed to perform it's duties faithfully, though
she was not happy, and was very often an
noyed by the delinquencies and deficiencies
of her husband They irritated her tenn
per. and she would complain and fret.
This course had no effect to improve
things. 1t seldom has.
Matters grew worse year by year. The
husbands affections waned by degrees,
and he became more and more inattentive
and selfSh, while the cares and anxieties
of the wife kept increasing. and with them
increased her complaining and fretting.
An unenviable state Of things, most surely
I wonder if it's rare ?
After the dinner colloquy we have given,
Jane returned to her room, thoughtful and
repentant. She discoursed with herself
somewhat in this wise:
II am sorry was so cross at dinner
William might have been pleasant if l had
given him chance. What miserable
life we are leadingl am SO unhappy, and
things are growing worse and worse-what
may they come to? To be sure, William
IS not what 1 once thought he was, but
that cannot be helped now-he is my hus-
band; we are vowed unto each other until
death, and why not make the best, instead
of the worst, Of my lot ? And it is not so
bad as it might be after all. William
might be dissipated or dishonest, which he
is not now But who knows what he may
become if [ any longer render his home
unhappy. Oh. l am wrong know | am
Let me try to do better God help mel
| Finding fault with William does not i'm
prove him l have tried it long enough; I
will try what gentleness, meekness and en- :
durance may do. I shall make him hap
pier in that way, and it is easier to be viz
tuous when we are happy than when we
are wretched. 1t will require strong Of
fort and unremitting watchfulness to
overcome my faults of temper, but is not
the happiness and well-being of life sufi-
Gent motivep will make the effort. l
cannot change character and circumstan-
i ces. but will suit myself to them"
Jane thus came to wise resolution,
which she ought to have made early in her
married life; but it was in this case &C.
cording to the old maxim, "better late
than never" And. what was wiser than
the resolution, she began to act upon it.
Plenty Of good resolutions are made-a
few Observation-Disclosures kept,
! When her husband came home to tea
Jane was dressed neatly, and, though there
was q cloud on his brow, she looked and
spoke pleasantly. 1t was an effort for her
to appear in the same way in the morning,
for he was still moody and silent and dis
Gbliging, but she.still remembered her res
olution, and did not break it.
In the middle of the forenoon he enter
ed her room on some errand, as on the day
Vprevious, with boots unscraped: she seemed
to take no notice of them.
II think must have made light break
FAST he said, carelsssly.
| Jane soon disappeared, and returning,
Gffered him a Mate of tempting sand