Connecticut western news., 1884-09-17

buo hR6 OI c1SuI0cu uo1 honA ""o "onON in marriage by young merchant, Ar thur Walforth, and before I was aware of her danger her heart was his. say danger, because she was too young to encounter the cares of married life, and the uncertainties of trade press heavily on the wife of merchant. She suffers from the variation of her husband's s spir- it's. and she is highly favored woman If his temper, too, do not suffer; and my Agnes tender yet high spirit was, l knew, ill-htted for such trials. Arthur was an intelligent young man, of high character, and most honorable in all his dealings. It was, however, his misfor- tune to have for mother a weak and ir- ritable woman, whom prosperity had not improved. She was surrounded with blessings but was constantly complain ing, and as her education had not strengthened her mind, nor watchful self-denial improved her heart, she was likely to impress upon her sons mind & very low opinion of all women. I, my dear Grace, was honored by my husband with his entire confidence, and tried to return his trust by being indeed help. mate for him. If woman does not know the state of her husbands affairs she is defrauded of what is justly her due-the privilege of advising with him and of uniting with him in his efforts to do just Iy to all men. About year after Agnes marriage the crisis occurred in the com- mercial world which laid many lofty houses low. I often surprised Agnes in tears, but she said nothing to me; and l have always made it principle not to inquire into family secrets. l have seen so much evil from the we'll meaning but ill-judged reluctance which many a mother feels to give up to her daugh- ter's husband, iA good faith and sinceri- ty, the secrets of that daughters heart. But one day my Agnes came to my house and rushed upstairs to my bed room. followed her and secured the door; and was then grieved to hear her sobbing bitterly and"in an agony of sorrow.
 "'Can I give you any comfort or ad- vice, my darling? Confide in your mother, and perhaps may be able to console you.
 "Ohl my husband, my husband ! He hns used me cruelty; he has not been open with me; he might have told me the state of his affairs. l am not child. I could bear poverty. I could live anywhere, and labor for him, as many are obliged to do; but this cruel reserve-oh, it will kill me9'
 "'Agnes, my child, I answered, 'now's your time of trial. You know where to look for strength; and oh, beware of rebellious spirit Strive to be patient and tell me all you fear
 "'Our head clerk has just been to our house, mamma, and he tells me that his master has gone to London, and his re- turn is uncertain; and he has left re- quest to me that I will come and stay with you until his affairs are arranged one way or other. I am more hurt by his allowing me to learn all this from a stranger than shocked at his ruin; for we are both young and may hope for better times. But oh, mother, there are many things which I might have done without. and now tho people will suspect me of having known our cir cumstances all along, and shall have the disgrace of being suspected of dis honesty.
 "'Alas Agnes,' I said, yours is a common case. To woman of integrity t is indeed sore trial to be thought ca- pablo of wronging any tradesman; but do not injure your health by this violent grief. You are, whatever happens, our dearly beloved daughter, and now, for Grace's sake. and for your fathers and mine, try to compose yourself
 CT knew that this appeal to her fam fly affection would have Q strong effect on her generous nature; for Agnes, in becoming wife, had not ceased to be dntiful daughter; and her love for her sister, your dear mother, my Grace, was beautiful to behold.
 ''She was delicate even then, and re- quired the tenderest care-too gentle and unselfish for the world. She was even then more like heavenly than an earthly being.
 'When she saw Agnes come down with the marks of tears on her cheeks, she strove by every tender attention to soothe and cheer her; and sighed to see her gentle offices lavished in vain.
 "Our dear Agnes was wounded to the quick by her husbands want of conf- dence, and we could not cheer her.
 "In short time, however, Arthur's affairs vera wound up-all claims were satisfied, and he resumed his business with good prospect of success: but he had lost one possession more valuable than gold-the confidence of his wife was gone forever.
 "There was restlessness and anxiety about Agnes which never left her. She refused ever again to take the most trifing thing on credit; and once, when he hesitatingly alluded to her pru- dence, as he termed it, she replied, T have been treated like child, Arthur, and you must remember burnt child dreads the fire. If am not to be trusted, will avoid being duped.'
 "She died at the age of six-and- twenty, after short illness; but shall always think that her indignation and anguish of mind had paved the way for
 her early death"