Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-10-18

II
and whirlpools 7 1 used often to
pray that, be her lot in life what it
might be, she might ever feel the
balm Of loving looks and kind
words"
"And what was her lot in life, dear
grandmamma, and was she happy
Do you tell me all about her. Was
she happy"
"She was not so fair as her sister
Grace" continued grandmamma ;
"but there was a variety in the play
of her features and playfullness of
manner, which made her generally
admired. At the age of eighteen
her hand was asked in marriage by
a young merchant, Arthur Walforth,
and before [ was aware of her dan
ger, because she was too young for
the cares of married life, and the
uncertainties of trade press heavily
on the wife of merchant. She suf.
fers from the variation of her hus-
bands spirits, and she is highly
favored woman ifhis temper, too, does
not suffer; and my Agnes tender
yet high spirit was, l knew, ill-fated
for such trial. Arthur was an intel
ligent young man, of high character,
and most honorable in all dealings.
1t was, however, his misfortune to
have for mother weak and ir-
ritable woman, whom prosperity had
not improved. She was surrounded
with blessing but was constantly
complaining. and as her education
had not strengthened her mind, nor
a watchful self-denial improved her
heart, she was likely to impress upon
her sons mind very low opinion
of all women. l, my dear Grace,
was honored by my husband with
his entire confidence, and | tried TO
return his trust by being indeed
belpmate for him. If a woman
does not know the state of her
husbands affairs she is defranded of
what is justly her due-the privilege
of advising with him and of uniting
with him in his efforts to do justly to
all men. About year after Agnes
marriage the crisis occurred in the
commercial world which laid many
lofty houses low. l often surpris-
ed Agnes in tears, but she SAID
nothing to me; and / have always
made it a principle not to inquire
into family secrets. | have seen so
much evil from the well being but
ill,judged reluctance which many a
mother feels to give up to her daugh-
ter's husband, in good faith and sin
cerity, the secrets of that daughters
heart. But one day my Agne came
to my house and rushed upstairs
to my bedroom. followed her
and secured the door; and | was
then grieved to hear her sobbing
bitterly and in an agony of sorrow.
"Can 1 give you any comfort or
advice, my darling 2 Confide in
your mother, and perhaps may be
able to console you"
''Oh my husband, my husband !!
He has used me cruelty; he has not
been open with me; he might have
told me the state of his affairs. /
am not child. I could bear poverty.
| could live anywhere, and labor for
him, as many are obliged to do; but
this cruel reservoir, it will kill
me 2
w Agnes, my Child I answered,
'now's your time oftrial. You know
where to look for strength; and oh,
beware of rebellious spirit Strive
to be patient and tell me all you
fear.'
Z" Our head clerk has just been to
our house, mamma, and he tells me
that his master has gone to London,
and his return is uncertain; and he
has left a request to me that | will
come and stay with you until his
affairs are managed one way or
other. l am more hurt by his allow
ing 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 might
have done without, and now the
people will suspect me of having
known our circumstances all along,
and shall have the disgrace of be-
ing suspected of dishonesty
"'Alas! Agnes | said, yours is
common case. To woman of in
tegrity it is indeed sore trial to be
thought capable 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
81 knew that this appeal to her
family affection would have a strong
effect on her generous nature for