Year: 1872

'Aunt Ruth, L have often heard 1t re-
marked that love is only transient, and
that the close of the honeymoon often
carries with it all the warm affection
which the newly married couple fiattered
themselves would never die, and over
which much ink and paper had previ-
ously been wasted in oft reiterated assu-
RANGES of its eternity but you and I'm
Gle John, although you have been mar
ried forty years, seem as affectionate as
many a couple over whose married lives
not full month had yet passed is it
something which can be easily explain
ed ?'


'Yes, Jennie, and as there may per-
haps be lesson in it for you, it will
give me much pleasure to give you
brief sketch of our forty years travelling,
as John would say, in double harness.


Il was hardly seventeen when first
became acquainted with John Matlock.
He was the son of parents who might
hardly be said to be in moderate circum-
stances. They had large family, who,
as fast as they arrived at a sufficient age
were sent out to work, to help support
each other. The parents having moth
ing of this worlds goods except such as

had been acquired by hard and long
continued labor, it was not to be ex-
pected that they could start their sons
in business or give them the advantages
of liberal education, so that any one
IN choosing for a husband one of the
Matlock boys, must choose him for his
personal qualities.


Well, to be brief, John was employed
in store in the village, and 1 was a
school girl, full of fun and frolic, and
ready to iirt with almost any one and
in company with some of the other girls
l used to walk down to the village and
look in the shop window (among others
the one where John was employed. y
He says my smiling face was what first
attracted him, and l would to God
that it had been a smiling face to him
all through lifes journey. He sought
an introduction, and his honest, sterling
manhood was what charmed me. | was
proud that so manly "a young fellow
should be attracted by me. Time pass
ed on swiftly and sweetly, and we were
married By this time John had start
ed In business for himself, and we, of
course, had to be very economical to
make both ends meet, and for some time
l was happy to do so but when the nov-
city of the situation had worn off, I be-
gan to get tired of the hum-drum life
and the drudgery of comparative power
ty. My anticipations of a comfortable,
easy living were disappointed, and I
became peevish, and even John, my
r once loved John, became tiresome to me-
and fear ] did not treat him as
should. He noticed this, and said
had ceased to love him. This [ denied
although [ felt in my heart it was true
L seemed to forget that although it was
unpleasant to me to be denied many
things which | wished, yet | had taker
him for better or for worse, and should
have been satisfied to share the worse
with him but Jennie, [ fear we womer
are very glad to take the better anc
are not at all desirous of taking oul
share of the worst as we had promised


Things became more and more un
pleasant, and even the bright eyes ant
smiling face of our little girl were no
sufficient to fill my mind with happines
and content. 1t is comparatively cas-,
to stand in the presence of assembled
friends, and before God, promise It
love, honor and obey; but fear tha
few of us realize In its greatest sense tn
sacred nature of that most solemn prom
ise. Instead of loving and honoring m
john worried and fretted him, unit
home lost its charms; and when nigh
came, instead of that homely, thoug
loving man for company, L had nough
but my own unhappy thoughts H
lad found home unattractive, and ha
formed the habit of meeting a few friend
every evening. Soon their steps led t
the tavern, and instead of my once mar
ly, noble John, would come home q
midnight a poor besotted wretch, as i'll
tempered now as myself, to curse an
abuse me without stint. 1t seemed
though my cup was full, but we lit,
know what we can bear until OF
strength is taxed to the utmost O,
little girl sickened and died, and


thought perhaps this great mutual so
row would bind our hearts together


fresh, but | looked for all the reform


tion to be upon Johns side, not admi
ting that was ever wrong until it seer
ed impossible to bridge the chasm b
tween u.s.


Johns passion for drink increase


He became more violent toward me, al
more neglectful of his business CT


toners became fewer and fewer, al


dunning creditors more and more hume


Gus, until at last he was obliged to


sign his business to his creditors 1
! their mutual benefit. 1t seemed