, 1843-06-17

HORSE. Most OF our readers nave
heard this expression, and are at no
loss for its solution, but many may
not be aware of its origin. In the
hope that it may amuse and prove
profitable to them, we give the story
as follows:
An English gentleman having mar
ried a young lady who was handsome,
accomplished and rich, expected to
reap the harvest Of matrimonial felici-
ty; but he 500 found that she was
OF a high domineering spirit, always
%contendins to be mistress OF him and
his family; and he therefore resolved
to part with her. He went to her
father, and told him that he found
his daughter of such a temper, and
was SO heartily tired of her, that if
he could replace her in her former
home he would return every penny
of her fortune. The old gentleman,
having enquired into the cause of his
complaint, asked him why he should
be more ~disquieted at it than any 9TH
er married man, since it was a COM
mon occurrence with them, and con-
%sequently no more than he ought to
have expected; the husband said he
was so far from giving his assent TO
this assertion, that he thought HIM
self more unhappy than any other
man. as his wife had a very untracta-
BILE spirit, and certainly no man who
had a due sense of right and wrong
would ever submit, TO be governed by
his wife.
":Sir," said the old man, "you are
little acquainted with the world, if
YOU do not know that all woman gov
ern their husbands. though not all IN
deed by the same method. l1owev-
er, to end all disputes between US, |
will put what | have said 10 the proof,
If you are willing to try it. have
five horses in my stable; YOU shall
harness them to a cart, in which !
will put 4 basket containing one hun
dred eggs, and if III passing through
the country, and making strict inquiry
into the truth If ialsehood of this as
s%ertion, and leaving n horse at the
house OF every man who is master of
his family, himself, and an egg only
where the wife governs, you shall
find your eggs gone before your hor-
SEES; and | hope You will then think
your own case not uncommon, but
will be contented to 60 home, and
look upon your wife as no more than
her neighbors; if, on the other hand,
your horses are gone first, ! will take
my daughter home again, and you
shall keep her fortune. This propo.
sal was 100 advantageous 10 lie reject
ed. the young man therefore set out
with great eagerness 10 get nd, as ne
thought. OF his horses and his wife.
At the first house that he saw, ne
heard 4 woman with a shrill and an
gry voice, call her husband to 60 TO
the door. Here he left an egg you
NAV be sure, without making farther
inquiry. At the next he met with
something OF the same kind, and at
every ordinary house, in short, until
his eggs were almost gone; when he
arrived at the seat Of a gentleman of
family and figure in the country; ne
knocked a, the door, and, inquirlng for
the master of the house, IA told by
a servant that his master vas not yet
stirring, but that his lady was in the
parlor; the vile with great comPlal.
sance, desired him to seat himself,
and said if his business was very ur-
gent, she would wake her husband,
to lie, him know it, but would much
rather not disturb him.
Really, madam, said he, ''my bust
ness is only TO ask a question which
you can solve as well as your hus-
band, if you will be ingenious with
me; you will doubtless think 1t odd,
and il may be deemed impollte for a
stranger TO be so free, but as i great
wager depends upon 1t, and It may
be some advantage to yourself to de-
clare the truth to me, | hope these
considerations will plead my excuse.
What | wish to know is this, whether
you govern your husband. or he rules
over you?" Indeed, sir," replied
the lady, THAT is an odd question. but,
as | think no one ought 10 be asham-
ed Of acting rightly, ! shall not scru-
pie 10 say, that have been always
proud to obey my husband in all
things; but, if a woman's own word
is 10 be suspected in sucha case let
him answer for me, for here ne
comes.
The gentleman at that moment en-
tered the room, and confirmed every
word his cbedient wife had reported
in her own favor, upon which he was
requested to choose which horse in
II .- - lE-l k.., .-I,o o,,apt