Australian Tales - Setis

Sunshine in Winter; Or, the Loves of Old Mr. And Mrs.
Dovecott.
Chapter I.
A BEAMING old pair were Mr. and Mrs. Dovecott, whose loves I am
about to depict, in the tenderest manner I can. To see them as they
toddled to church on Sundays was as pleasing a sight as that of a tree
laden with ripe cherries. Arm in arm they jogged along — which they
could comfortably do, for Nanny wore no crinoline to rasp her husband's
ancles, or to keep him an arm's length from her side — while love and
sympathy were evident by their clinging contact, and by their every act
and gesture. The simple little fact, too, of Nanny's goloshes peeping out
of David's coat pocket, in doubtful weather, and her warm plaid wrapper
hanging over his arm, plainly indicated his thoughtful care for the health
and comfort of his darling wifie.
Almost any one may write a love story; that is to say, almost any one
may find material enough for the purpose, by merely putting his head out
of window on a sunny day, or on a moonlight night either; but I am sorry
to believe that he would have to wander about a long while to find many
such specimens of genuine old lovers as the subjects of my story.
Perhaps it is worth while for the reader to pause a minute and consider
the causes of the comparative lack of mutual warmth in aged wedded
hearts. Why so many old folks grow cold, and cross, and negligent of
each other. I have thought upon the subject carefully, and am of opinion
that in most cases the primary cause of unhappiness and discord, is the
absence of that strong abiding love which is founded upon a knowledge
of, and an esteem for each other's virtues; and a secondary cause, is the
lack of tact and prudence in studying each other's dispositions, and
mutually bearing and forbearing with infirmities and peculiarities, which
should have been ascertained before the irrevocable marriage vows were
made. The following little sketch of marriage à In mode will perhaps
help to illustrate the latter proposition better than any abstract reasoning.
A soft-hearted pair, just merging from their teens, meet for the first
time at a picnic, a ball, a bazaar, or what not, when the young gentleman
is “struck spoony” with the bright eyes, the glossy hair, and fascinating
air of Julia Daffodil. Of course he is as killing as he can be, and young
love boldly enters her susceptible breast, without meeting with the