ONLY HIS WIFE."
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��" ONLY HIS WIFE."
��BY MAUD MULLEN.
��"Will Sears was a gentleman — every- body said so, and what everybody says (as the little boy remarked of his mother) " is so, if 'tain't so ! " Honest and up- right in all his business transactions — polite and gentlemanly to every one who had the pleasure of his acquaintance — even kind and considerate to the little ones who blockaded his pathway. None tipped the hat with more grace than he when he met the ladies, stooped with more gallantry to pick up their fallen kerchiefs, or apologized with more be- witching regrets for a tread upon their flowing skirts ! — oh, they thought him a jewel of a man!
But there was one who never received these little marks of politeness — the hat never tipped when passing her on the sidewalk — the knee never bent to return the missing handkerchief — her long train was " always in the way " when his holy feet chauced to rest upon it — and why ? Oh ! she was " only his wife ! " She took charge of his domestic little nest ; reared him beautiful children ; was willing to sacrifice strength and happiness — aye, life itself, were she conscious it would add to his pleasure ; while he — provided for her physical wants ; clothed her body with suitable garments, and when sickness overtook her, provided her with a physi- cian and a nurse to administer to her wants — absenting himself on a plea of " business," and mentally excusing him- self by saying:
" How silly 'twould be to be loving and polite to her, only my wife ! "
She saw the difference, struggling
��bravely to win to herself those little at- tentions which she saw others eagerly gathering up — for the "littles" it is which make up the sum of a woman's happiness — using more care to beautify her personal appearance — making home more attractive by renewed attentions, and answering with loving readiness every requirement to his happiness. But all to no purpose ! and by-aud-by she be- gan to realize that she was " only his wife ! " The roses began to fade upon her once handsome cheeks, the fresh blush grew dim upon her loving lips, while she drooped and hungered for the food upon which others subsisted ! They would wonder why she smiled so sadly, giving back an answering sigh to their congratulations of her possessing such a fine, gentlemanly husband. They could not lift the veil of mystery — only two could loop back its corners and peep be- yond — she, whose heart it covered, and He who watches from His throne in the heavens !
After a little the Angel came and dropped the curtain upon the closing scene, and tears bedewed a new-made grave under the willow !
Do virtues like these go unrewarded? Changes go by reverses, we are told — therefore wait patiently until Father Time shall have raised the curtain again, and Mrs. Sears, Jr., comes upon the stage, and then — we'll have the pleasure of seeing his hair combed with a three- legged stool !
Encore, if you please !
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