Life and Literature Part 146

"Has she then repined at the change?"

"Repined! she has been nothing but sweetness and good humor. Indeed, she seems in better spirits than I have ever known her; she has been to me all love and tenderness and comfort!"

"Admirable girl!" exclaimed I, "You call yourself poor, my friend; you never were so rich--you never knew the boundless treasures of excellence you possessed in that woman."

"Oh! but, my friend, if this first meeting at the cottage were over, I think I could then be comfortable. But this is her first day of real experience: she has been introduced into an humble dwelling--she has been employed all day, in arranging its miserable equipments--she has for the first time known the fatigues of domestic employment--she has for the first time looked around her on a home dest.i.tute of everything elegant--almost of everything convenient; and may now be sitting down, exhausted and spiritless, brooding over a prospect of future poverty."

There was a degree of probability in this picture that I could not gainsay, so we walked on in silence.

After turning from the main road, up a narrow lane, so thickly shaded by forest trees as to give it a complete air of seclusion, we came in sight of the cottage. It was humble enough in its appearance for the most pastoral poet; and yet it had a most pleasing rural look. * * * * * Just as we approached we heard the sound of music--Leslie grasped my arm; we paused and listened. It was Mary's voice singing, in a style of the most touching simplicity, a little Scotch air of which her husband was peculiarly fond.

I felt Leslie's hand tremble on my arm. He stepped forward to hear more distinctly. His step made a noise on the gravel walk. A bright beautiful face glanced out at the window and vanished--a light footstep was heard--and Mary came tripping forth to meet us. She was in a pretty rural dress of white; a few wild flowers were twisted in her fine hair; a fresh bloom was on her cheek; her whole countenance beamed with smiles--I had never seen her look so lovely.

"My dear George," cried she, "I am so glad you are come; I have been watching and watching for you; and running down the lane and looking out for you. I've set out a table under a beautiful tree behind the cottage; and I've been gathering some of the most delicious strawberries, for I know you are so fond of them--and we have such excellent cream--and everything is so sweet and still here.--Oh!" said she, putting her arm within his, and looking up brightly in his face, "Oh, we shall be so happy!"

Poor Leslie was overcome. He caught her to his bosom--he folded his arms around her--he kissed her again and again--he could not speak for the tears gushed into his eyes.

He has often a.s.sured me that though the world has since gone prosperously with him, and his life has indeed been a happy one, yet never has he experienced a moment of more exquisite felicity than the time when I accompanied him to the little cottage in the country.

--_Was.h.i.+ngton Irving._

2021

Better a fortune in a wife, than with a wife.

2022

A GOOD WIFE.

The good wife is none of our dainty dames, who love to appear in a variety of suits every day, new; as if a gown like a stratagem in war, were to be used but once. But our good wife sets up a sail according to the keel of her husband's estate; and if of high parentage, she doth not so remember what she was by birth, that she forgets what she is by--match.

_Fuller._

2023

Of earthly goods, the best is a good wife; A bad, the bitterest curse of human life.

--_Simonides._

2024

HUSBAND AND WIFE.

Be joined to thy equal in rank, Or the foot of pride will kick at thee; Let no one have thy confidence, O wife, Saving thy husband: Have not a friend more intimate, O husband, Than thy wife.

2025

WIFE.

What thou bidd'st, Unargued, I obey; so G.o.d ordains: G.o.d is thy law; thou mine: to know no more, Is woman's happiest knowledge, and her praise.

--_Milton._

2026

When Sir Albert Morton died, his wife's grief was such that she shortly followed him, and was laid by his side. Wotton's two lines on the event have been celebrated as containing a volume in seventeen words:

"He first deceased; she for a little tried To live without him, liked it not, and died."

Certainly there are few higher tributes in the world to a good husband than this.

2027

The wife is the key of the house.

2028

A man's best fortune--or his worst--is a wife.

2029

WIFE.

A modest, chaste, and an obedient wife, Lifts her poor husband to a knightly throne: What though the livelong day with toils be rife, The solace of his cares at night's his own.

If she be modest and her words be kind, Mark not her beauty, or her want of grace; The fairest woman, if deformed in mind Will in thy heart's affections find no place: Dazzling as Eden's beauties to the eye, In outward form: foul is her face within.

Better in dungeon, bound with chains, to lie, Than, with at home, a wife of frowning mien.

Better bare feet than pinching shoes. The woes Of travel are less hard than broils at home.

Contentment's door upon that mansion close, Whence wrangling women's high-pitched voices come.

--_From Littell's Living Age._

2030

When a man has secured a good wife he can rest on his laurels; the world has no greater prize to offer him.

2031

When the will is ready, the feet are light.