Beulah - Page 324/348

One day there came a letter postmarked from an inland town where

Beulah had no correspondent. The direction, however, was instantly

recognized, and she broke the seal hurriedly.

"What has become of you, Beulah? and what can have become of my two

letters which were never answered? Concluding you never received

them, I hazard a third attempt to reach you through the medium of

letters. You will readily perceive that we have removed to a distant

section of the State. Ernest was called to take charge of this

parish, and we are delightfully located here, within a few minutes'

walk of the church. Beulah, the storm which darkened over me, in the

first year of my marriage, has swept by, and it is all sunshine,

glorious sunshine, with me. You know my home was very unhappy for a

time. My husband's family caused misunderstandings between us,

influenced him against me, and made me very, very wretched. I could

not tolerate Lucy's presence with any degree of patience, yet she

would remain in our house. How it would have ended only Heaven

knows, had not my husband been suddenly taken very ill.

"It was on Sabbath morning. He was displeased with me because of

some of my disputes with his sister, and scarcely spoke to me before

he went into the pulpit. Lucy and I sat together in the rector's

pew, hating each other cordially; and when Ernest began the morning

service I noticed he looked pale and weary. Before it was concluded

he sank back exhausted, and was borne into the vestry room, covered

with blood. He had a severe hemorrhage from the throat, his

physician said, but Ernest thinks it was from his lungs. I was sure

he would die; and oh, Beulah, what agony I endured, as I sat beside

him and watched his ghastly face! But his illness was 'the blessing

in disguise'; he forgot all our disgraceful bickerings, and was

never satisfied unless I was with him. Lucy grumbled, and sneered,

and looked sour; but I had my husband's heart again, and determined

to keep it. As soon as he was strong enough I told him how wretched

I had been and how sincerely I desired to make him happy, if Lucy

would only not interfere. He saw that our domestic peace was

dependent upon the change, and from that hour his sister ceased

meddling with my affairs. What he said to her I never knew; but soon

after his recovery she returned to her parents, and I was left in

peace.

"I began in sober earnest to be all my husband wished me; read the

books he liked (though it was a terrible bore at first); read to

him; took part in all the societies connected with his church, and,

in short, became quite a demure pastor's wife. Occasionally my old

fondness for fun would break out, to the horror of some of his

antediluvian flock; but Ernest was very good, and bore patiently

with me, and now I am as prim and precise as any old maid of sixty.

At home I do as I like; that is, when Ernest likes it too. I sing,

and play, and romp with the dogs and kittens; but the moment the

door bell rings, lo! a demure matron receives her guests! Ernest's

health is quite restored, and I am as happy as the day is long. You

should see me working in my garden, and sometimes churning before

breakfast, to give Ernest a fresh glass of buttermilk. I would not

change places with an empress, I am so happy. My husband loves me

better than everything else beside, and what more could I desire?