The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-05-23
Husbands and Wives.
MRS. CHARLOTTE L. FISHER.

| do not say the husband is always to
blame The wife often makes home I'M
happy; too often both are in fault Yet
think the husband is more apt to be-
come careless and neg!ectful Of little at
tentions soon after marriage than tie wife
is, A trusting, loving girl gives up her
freedom forever and goes out from under
the shelterirg roof of the old home to
bless and brighten the new. Goes to be
his own in sickness OF health, for "better
or worse" until one of the twain shall
rest from all earthly labors.
Before marriage he was all attention
as To his persona! appearance; eager to
CRAFTY her every wish. He admired the
rosebud she selt cted to wear on her bos-
ON, but thought his own chosen rosebud
much loveier. He admired the dress she
wore, the ribbon in her hair, truly she
could do nothing to please him that failed
of its object. And he told all his love
and admiration in actions, and what was
still pleasan.er, in words.
Now they are welded, both sure of the
others love. The days are full of light
and Joy, she knows shadow can never
darken their home, for is she not his dar-
ling; his own happy little wife and does
he not tell her 50 every day! She docs
not believe any change comes after mar
rage unless it is greater and more per-
feet love and trust. Years pass. Have
they carried the bloom of life with them
He has business to look after, but he loves
his wife just the same, she will not be-
lieve otherwise. Yet, sometimes when he
goes to his work, with only a hasty kiss
and never once noticing the lily buds in
her hair, or that she has on his favorte
Jewels, sometimes, say, a feeling of dis
appointment clouds the JOY in her heart.
The full glory is dimmed. He continues
to grow more neglectful. She wears the
colors that used to please him she strives
to beautify his home in every possible
manner, but he speaks no word Of praise.
He even finds fault with her once in a
while; but what pains her most is his
constant indifference, and he has, too, a
habit of putting her second instead of
first in nearly everything. Occasionally,
when he does happen to notice her he
wonders at the worn face and quiet man
ner and, doubtless thereby, she has be-
come very careless of home enjoyments
and love- Does he never remember the
many times a gentle woman has stood be-
side him, lifting the hair from his brow
or parting it with soft fingers, or caress-
ing!y laying white hand on his hand Z
He used to kiss that same hand; holding
it in both his own, and say many kindly
things. Now she fingers near him, but
he never lifts bis eyes from his book to
the face beside him, or finds one little
word of endearment for his wife.
Oh, if the walls of her room could
speak, would they not echo the words
that had SO often been spoken to them !:
"Oh God, what have | done. What
have | failed TO do, that life is not as it
once wasl Oh! how have | frighted
away all the tender words, all the caresscs
that once were minel Oh why did not
die when every word and action were
full of love. Better-far better to have
gone away from earth ere the bridal roses
faded than to have lived until my heart
calls out vsinly, day and night, for the
glory of departed days!'-Rurdt Ne'o
Yorker.