Madison Whig advocate. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1839-1841, 1839-09-07
The Perverseness of women.

There is an old story of man. who
had married young lady, and who had
d friend somewhat sceptical as to the
obedient tendency of the wife's DISPOSE
ton, much to the dissatisfaction Of the
Benedick, who strongly asserted and
warmly asseverated that his will was
irs", anu Iuat sne never by any chance
disobeyed any wish or Injunction of his
"Have you ever tried her temper in
that respectY' said the friend: shave
you ever desired her positively not to
do any particular thing? for this is my
point, since you tell me she never refu-
ses to do whatever you desire her to do
s'No. said the affectionate husband, |
never have found occasion to desire her
not to do any thing but"
.sThat's it! as the old women say"
cried the friend, ''female obedience is
proved by negatives; tell her not to do
any particular thing, give her no reason
why, and see if she does not do it."
.Ridiculous" says the husband.
"Try,'' said the friend.
"Well, replied the husband, "agreed
we are both going away for the day
what proof shall ! put her to? What
shall | tell her to do? May she not play
her harp? Must she not sing or draw +?
Or, in fact, tell me what you want me to
prohibit her doing, and | stake my life
she does it not"
sob, no. said the friend, sedrawing
and singing and playing the harp, are
things which she might abstain from
without a murmur, or, what is more, es-
sentiaI to the affair, a wonder; because
she has sung and played and drawn a
thousand times; it is an injunction not TO
do something she has never done before;
for instance, tell her when we GO, not to
climb some particular hill, for particu-
lar reasons which you do not choose to
give her; or, by way OF carrying the
principle to its fullest extent, warn her
not to attempt to ride on the dogs back. "
s.Neptune's back!n said the husband.
..Yes,n replied the friend, on the back
of this most valued Newfoundland dog,
the bravest and faithfuIest of his breed"
"Ride on a dogs back exclaimed
Benedick, how can you be SO absurd?-
as if
sab! there it ISL said the friend, as if
-"now, take my word for it, if you issue
the Injunction, without giving her any
reason, Harriet will break 1t.
The most incredulous of men rejolced
at the idea which he felicitously rldicu-
led, and resolved upon trying the exper-
iment in order to establish his HarrIets
superiority of mind, and his friends ex-
ceeding Stiffness.
He parted from his Harriet, and with
tender fondness she chung round his shout
der, as he said in quitting her
ssHarriet, dearest, we have seldom
been separated since our marriage;
shall be back soon; take care of yourself,
love; but, just attend to one thingl am
going to say, dear; don't try to ride upon
Neptune's back while we are away
sW hatr' said the laughing Harriet,
ssride upon Neptune; ha, ha! what an
idea. is that all you warn me against!
why, what a ridiculous notion. why
should you tell me thats what none
senseln
SHAT, my DEAR" said the husband, as
secret; all | beg of you is-not to ride
upon Neptune"
~Ride upon Ncptune!" repeated the
lady, and she laughed again, and they
parted.
When Benedick and his friend reiur-
ned to dinner, the laughing Harriet did
not as usual present herself to receive
them; there was sort Of gloom perva