The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-08-18
The Health Of Our Wives.

For three years Mrs. - had been a
sad, nervous invalid, when by the death
of an uncle she came into possession of
bonds which yielded an annual income
of $4,000 At once her health began to
improve, she walked erect, and her face
became radiant. Since her marriage
she had become a beggar; and beggars
are not strong in health, noble in bear
ing, or happy in face. Her husband was
rich, and a good man; but careful
about his money. He never parted with
dollar if he could possibly keep it.
Their house was handsome and their
table good; but while Dora, the servant,
who dressed quite as well as her mis-
tress, was not obliged to beg for money,
Mrs, - could not get dollar for per-
sonal expenses without explaining, urg-
ing-in brief, begging.
Visiting her mother in another State
she related, with many tears, the fol-
| lowing story: II needed a warm dress
/ in sas autumn; but so great my re-
pugnance to asking John for the means
that l put it off till midwinter. One
evening we had company, and John was
delighted with their praise of my sing
ing After we had retired, and he had
spoken very warmly of my success in
entertaining our friends, thought the
moment suspicious, and in the most
gentle way mentioned the needed dress
John was silent for some minutes, and
then said
"Why, my darling, 1 thought you
were the best dressed woman among
them. Don't you think, dearest, its
foolish thing to go on adding dress after
dress when your closet is 50 full that
you can hardly get into it? If you will
take my advice I should say wear out
some of the dresses you already have.
"Not another word was spoken by
either of us. l did not choose to tell
him that the dress / had worn that
evening was my only handsome silk,
and that my only warm wooden dress
was worn out. l could not sleep, and
before morning resolved, come what
might, would never beg again. That
vow | have kept. During two years |
have had no addition to my wardrobe,
except the wooden dress you sent to me-
Not one word has passed between my
husband and self on the subject. o!
how often | think of the sweet indepen-
dence of my life as music teacher
When l gave myself to John it was
easy to make me happy. | asked but
little, and you Know, mother, never
shrink from care and labor. But now
that dear Uncle Eben's bonds give me
the means to clothe myself and assist
my nieces as l used to, | shall forgive,
forget and be happy again. John is
urging me to transfer the bonds to him
and let him take care of them for me-. "
"My daughter, will you do it?''
'Why, mother, | have kissed those
dear, dirty, beautiful, old yellow bonds
again and again, because they have
made it possible for me to become a
happy and loving wife. Itremble when
l think how near / came to hating my
husband. / shall keep the bonds in my
own hands. They are really and truly
the only bonds that bind me to life"
wonder if Mrs. - is the only wife,
whose health and life have been poi
soned by this mistake on the part of the
husband. The husband and father de-
cares that all his toll and savings are
| forhis family. For himself, he does not
care. His wife, who transmutes dollars
into precious child-muscle, brain and
heart, instead of being obliged to resist
her husbands opportunities to take
more, and use more for her ceaseless
and vital tasks, is often compelled to
go on her knees, a very beggar, for the
money she needs. She waits for mo-
ment when her husband is full of good
dinner, and then explains, argues, i'm
plores.
If the husband and father were as
wise as those who raise cows, horses or
pigs. he would surround his wife with
every possible advantage within his
means. and most of all he would secure
to her that spirit of independence which
alone can produce strong childreS and
train them in a noble life.-Dio Le10iS,
i IN N. Y. Independent.