Economy of Character [pp. 275-280]

ECONOMY OF CHARACTER.'
books to their proper use-the improvement of life.
I recollect once hearing the husband say in her
presence, that he had never seen a person who
could get through a book sooner than she, scanning
and gleaning, meanwhile, whatever was new or
valuable in it. The wife looked much pleased at
this sort of side compliment, and gave a smile of
candor, but did not otherwise reply.
This method, by the way, was very useful to the
gentleman himself; for having little leisure from
professional reading, he in this way became in formed of what books were worth his while.
The reader, may-be, thinks it would be more in
point if I had first told whether the wife were a
notable and competent housekeeper-to which in quiry I can answer emphatically that she was; and
reminiscences of spruce beer, of nice brown bread,
and home-made cheese, &c., &c., sent me almost
every week, attest to the fact. She was, in all re spects, an excellent wife to the husband, who valued and appreciated her. Without seeking to be
superior to him, she was exactly the sort of monitorial friend that he required. He was a man of
much blandishment of manner, and of charming
conversation, and a general favorite in society.
The ladies in particular admired him. A wife of
less good sense would possibly have betrayed some
jealousy, where no real cause existed. The husband, with his suavity, his bonhomie, and his
obligingness, was constantly called upon for neighborly services. No sooner was it known that Judge
C. would depart on the morrow for his circuit, than
from one to half a dozen ladies, wives, widows, and
maidens, would prefer their requests for protection
on the way, to be taken along to some visit nearer
or more distant on the route. No press of business, no inconvenience ever suggested a negative;
but kissing his hand, he would say, "Certainly,
ladies, I am always your humble servant-only one
condition-there must be no band-box-a trunk, if
you choose, but no band-box;" adding, with his peculiar humor, "for, you know, if the bonnet were
spoiled, I should be almost as unhappy as you
would." The wife would laugh at the multiplicity of these requests, and calling him "that squire
of dames," add, "It is good enough for you."
He used to say, "The women ought to have all
these little matters their own way; for, after all,
the poor creatures have not a fair chance." Yet he
never boasted his "chivalry."
I rememember once, during his absence of a few
weeks, Mrs. C. found it convenient to make some
change it the sleeping apartments, which removed
the door of one of them to another angle of the
chamber. On his return in the afternoon, she was
seen to smile once in awhile at the idea of the surprise he would feel when shown the improvement.
He smiled a little, too-reciprocally, perhaps. Being
fatigued, he retired early, when Mrs. C. called to
one of her sons, saying, "Show your father to his
chamber." Upon this he turned his head in leav ing the room, saying, "Madam says I have been
gone a long time; and I suppose so, if I don't
know the way to my own chamber." He had kept
the secret, which the boy who took his horse had
communicated to him on his first arrival, but good naturedly gave into the thing. He expressed no
surprise to his little son; but, as he passed into the
room, said to himself, in a low tone, "I used to
think the door was there."
I have said how great a favorite he was in soci ety; and, notwithstanding his superiority, he would
sometimes, perhaps, have fallen into a certain de gree of levity, had it not been for the good-natured
raillery of the wife, who, jealous of his dignity,
would, upon these occasions, convey an inuendo to
the very point of the folly, never losing temper,
and never pursuing the subject beyond the instant.
At home, I think, she never spoke of or remem bered these things. They were a mutually confi ding and very happy couple.
The management of their family, of which I
intend to speak, was uncommon and exemplary.
They had a distinct plan of government, and they
were well situated to carrp it out. Their large
house was delightfully situated-removed a small
distance from the town. They were surrounded
by neighbors, yet not incommoded by them. The
rooms were airy, and conveniently furnished.
Though plain, every thing was good enough, and
nothing was too good. There was not an article
that gave the idea either of parsimony or of extravagance.'I'hey had a choice garden and extensive grounds. In mentioning these things, I must
not forget to add, that they were sensible of and
thankful for their possessions, saying, "We have
every thing that is comfortable, and nothing to
brag of." They lived in unostentatious plenty,
and were nobly generous in hospitality. They
were the patrons of merit, and the helpers of the
unfortunate wherever found. In their attention
to friends and acquaintances, the poor were not forgotten. I used very often to see an old gentleman
visiting them, who, they told me, was an inhabitant of the alms-house; and thither, the lady told
me, they sometimes went, to drink tea with him.
She said the attention in that way was gratifying
to him, and that he had seen better days. This
person, who was called Captain N., subsequently
had a pension granted him, as having been in the
United States' service. But he died, being old,
on the very day he should have entered w~on it.
In making a sketch of this couple, I am conscious that I write from the warmth of my own
recollections; yet I do not mean to say that either
of them was exempted from the faults and foibles
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