The herald., 1837-04-08
The Two Wives.

and the eatner Will soon tall IN the shape OF snow
flakes" said Alonzo to us one afternoon we were
standing by the corner of street. and dreaming of
sleigh bells and warm brown hearths. Ere yeu can
reach your house," continued he, "the storm Will
burst forth. Come then, and go home with me. You
have heard of my Maria-a paragon of women-the
best of wives-AHons!-Yo shall see how she will
receive her husbands friend"
Alonzo had mentioned his wife to me before, and
although there nothing particularly engaging III
the description, yet one that you often bear of you
feel some curiosity TO see. As we hed towards the
mansion which my friend rented, met our mutual
friend Daggett. He, too had wife, and straightway
when he had passed, did Alonzo fall 10 commlsse-
rating the fate of his friend Daegeu.
"A wife he has, indeed said Alonzo, but no more
like mine n-than-comparison aches with imPo
tency at the thought! Why sir, she hath not the
lity. My friend Daggett is a fellow of mind-oi ge-
nius-but unhapplly he IS united to woman VINO
cann.t appreciate him, and who is complete noDo-
dy. But here is my house. Enter and see what wo-
man be-
AS Aonzo pronounced these words, the door flew
open | glanced at the staircase, and saw that
broom had not passed over IT very lately. The hall
lamp was untrimmed and the Drasses on the doors
nad not seen rotten stone in many days We entered
the room young lady sat by the window, appa-
rently counting her fingers, for no other occupation
seemed to engr0ss her attention. Her dress was good
so far the quality of the cloth was concerned-but
there was great lack of neanes therein, and even
the vulgar idea of soap and water obtruded as we
looked upon the isthmus which Joined her head TO
her shoulders But we had not long to make these
remarks, as she arose on our entrance and en-
braced Alonzo if she had not seen him before for
month l was introduced; and Maria gave us TO nl-
derstand, that the acquaintance and friend OF her
incompatible Alonzo, we were abundantly welcome
Having stumbled over broom and band box,
which lay in elegant negligence in the middle Of the
floor we found the way to char, thlckly covered
with dust 1t was rather late in the afternoon, and
we were glad to hear Alonzo tell her to place the din
ner on the table. She replied, certainly, my Alonzo
NIL Gur n
you! You know II is my meat and my drink 10 obey
your wishes"
Alonzo turned to us with smile of triumph as she
went slowly from the room, and SAID, "can avoid
adoring woman who SO readily executes all my or
dcrs. You heard what she said =
We bowed and waited. became extremely hun
gry but in the course of half an hour we heard the
slow and heavy step of Maria approaching the room.
UNow, thought we, we shall break fast. The
mir gives one tremendous appetite"
Mara entered, but instead of bearing in her hands
q smoking platter or table, her arms were loaded
with books and pictures We now expected that
Alonzo would seriously chide, but he again glanced
at US most triumphantly and whispered,
"Sse what it is to have an Intellectual wife!'
We were now compelled TO examine dozen vol
umes and listen to the remarks OF the enlightened Ma
ria The sun had declined very near the naked tree
on the western hill before the subject of dinner
again mentioned-when Alonzo seemed to start as il
from trance and rather pettlshy requested that din
ner might be Immediately brought in.
The harsh of his voice brought tears into the
ewes of Maria, who threw her arms about his neck,
and declared she could not live if he was offended
and as the wa wss all very interesting Of course
seemed 10 giw Yoabetter appetite for dnhSf. "HAiiei
Alonzo had soeii1ed his beloved, and dried her tears
he discovered that his ruflcs had suffered much from
the embrace. and gently limited that he should like to
nut them off and new equip his neck and bosom.
How unfortunately" cried shS, they have not
yet come from the washerwemans."
"But Maria, my dear, you can send for them"
aThey are just gone" answered She pulling up
the heel of her shoe to hide hole in the stocking.
"Why Maria! Mara! how many times have l
requested you to have change OF linen always on
hand T.
III know it," said she, pain,ively, " alas am al
ways making those unhappy, whom Lowell!
"Don't weep dear Mara" began Alonzo.
WELL said we" looking at our watch, and moving
towards the door" we have an appointment, and
Surely" cried Alonzo," not before dinner-hurry,
Maria, and have IT on the table"
Maria was gone quarter of an hour, when sae
came in with platter of meat, which she carried
dan,y lust touching with the tip of fingers that
il slipped from her grasp-the dish was broken TO
fragments, and the meat rolledupon thecarpet Alon-
20 broke forth in violent passion, and accidentally
set foot upon the grease when he came umbng 10
the floor Ills wife screamed and clung to his neck,
demanding if he was hurt, and we forthwith took our
departure.
Hungry, cold, and weary, we past swiftly along the
street. Evening had set in and saw bright
cheerful light shining through the blinds of neat
dwelling on the opposite side of the street. Daggett
voice was the next moment heard He stood on the
steps of his house and invited 10 walk in We did
60 His wife received AS without much ceremony for
she was busted about household affairs. She asked
us if we had supped, and when told her that we
had not yet dned she moved out of the room as
noiseess as a spirit and as quick lightning. We
scarcely had time 10 mark her neatly formed ance
and pretty foot, before snowy cloth wassprcad upon
the table Five minstes suficed 10 il with vi
ands of a most delicious favor and cooked in a style
seldom surpassed When her husband spoke she was
all attention. and before he had finished, the thing
wanted was produced-the half expressed command
was executed Ii is true she mot tell him that she
loved him like god-but administered to his com
forts and anticipated his wishes with a celery and
pro2rieiy that novels seldom describe We left the
house comfortable in mind and body, and resolved
when we took wife, 10 choose one who loved us
with her hands and feet well as with her heart
Boston GALAXY.
Previous 10 the Revolution, the Count dAr,oi.
(Charlrs Ky one of the handsonest men of his dov
dipped deeply into all the pleasures and excitement Of
/fhat gallant time and lived with much profusop.
hat he contracted debts for which he afterwards
persecuted in this country. Among the many curious
|a.iventures in which he was engaged his duel with
The Duke de Bourbon-whose death few years since
nust still be fresh in our readers recollection-was
hot the least remarkable. The Count dArtos was
prescnt al one Of those magnificent masked balls
which were then given at the opera house, with the
beautiful Madame de Canllan under his protection.
Their attention drawn TO the splendid costume of
b mask, whom they suspected to b. the Duchess OF