The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-11-21


hers were no ''mothOr- n-law pieces" The shoe
maker mnst and would be happy. Months passed n
way, and, If the predictions ofthe noghbors were TO
be verified, Mr. SIMPSONS were somewhat equivo-
cal for happy man. It was certain that he grew
thin, did not whistle, laugh, or hum half often
he used to do His step was listless and he seemed
to have lost much of his sturdy activity which had
formerly distinguished him.
The neighbors were completely at stand Mrs
Sampson strictly scrutiuized, but nothing could
be detected. She was patience personi6ed. Mean
while the children, accustomed to the severe dsci-
pne OF their mother no sooner found themselves sub
jected to the milder sway OF stepmother whose
right 10 control them was, to say the least, doubtful
since public opinion has made il such now burst free
from all restraint, and revealed in the glorious priv
lege of doing whatever they had mind to do.
Poor Mrs. Sampson talked, and coa1ed, and wept;
and in two instances had the temerity to
put "moiherless clild' down cellar; all to no pur-
pose. They were as manageable as parcel of
wild colts broken free from the pasture, and antic
with the first consciousness of freedom. Mr. Sampson
could not manage them, that was out of the ques-
tior; he had never thought of doing il while their
mother was alive, and how could he now that she
was dead and gone Among the trials awarded to
the patriarch Job, it is well that his sex precuded
the possibility of his passing the ordeal ola mother
in-law's lot. So thought the second Mrs. Sampson.
She had tried every thing and her patience was
completely exhausted. One day, inst as her hus-
band was coming into dinner driven TO desperation by
the accumulated din Of so many ungovernabe child
rem, she suddenly armed herself with a handful OF
hemlock tops, and laid them about her on every side
at the same time ordering every child a about
the quickest. At this moment her husband entered,
and. Far from nching she resclntely told him what
she had done, and what she meant to do in future,
ere she would endure such an ntolerable din. Mr..
Sampson was at once in fine spirits His wife had
never looked half so handsome before. The children
ere as whist mice in cheese. Mrs. Sampson
absolutely kept her word and, though the neighbors
piled the children and talked mournuliy Of the
rows Of poor Mr. Sampson from that time he began
to gain in health and Spirits and became the sturdy
goOd-naiufed sort Of man had formerly known
him. The Of an old stimulus in the &C
tiVy of wfes tongue had restored buoyancy to his
spirits and health to his bones.
Such being the fact, thought il hes, to writo his
history, in the hope that persons witnessing similar
would suspend their sy mpaihies and reflect that,
after all, the husband Of scoIding wife may be as
happy that of good natured one, and the spirited
tones of her scolding may be quite agreeable to
such husbands ear, the most dulcet OF the
other in tring fashionable air.
CUTTING REroRr. Two gentlemen Mr. d. and Mr.
L., stood candidates for seat in the Legislature Of
New York. They violently opposed to each
other in politics. By some arti6ce MIR. D. gained the
election. When no returning home much
elated with his success, he met an acquaintance,
to whom he observed, well, have got the
election L. was match for me. I'll tell you how /
flung him. Ifthere happened any Dutch voters,
could talk with them-and here Ihad he advantage
Of him. If,here were any Frenchmen, could talk
French with them-andM here I had he advantage of
him. But to L. he was a clever, honest, sensible
little fellow. 'Yes, sir, replied the gentleman, 'and
there he had the advantage Of you--S Selected
TAsso's WISH Tasso being told that he had an
opportunity to take advantage of a bitter enemy-"I
wish not to plumber him. said he, "but there are
things which wish to take from him; not his honor,
his wealth, nor his lfe-but his ii-,ciH''
s
THE LYONS MERCHANT AND HIS TWO
DAUGHTERS.
Few sins present hateful appearances than
unkndness to parents, and none, perhaps, are more
aggravated Yet there have been, and st are, those
who allow themselves in it, commission. We transfer
the following anecdote, with tho hope that may be
instrumental in calling the attention ofthose who
honored with the Of their parents in the decline
of life, to the inquiry, whether they do truly magnify
their office. 1s 20 4sr ee..s.us q. p Ia5rL
An eminent trader at Lyons, who had acquired an
easy fortune, had two handsome daughters whom he
married to his liking, and divided between them all
he had, upon agreement, that he should pass the
summer with and the winter with the other. De-
fore the end ofthe first year he found sufficient ground
to conclude that he not very welcome guest to
either; Of which, however, he took no notice, but
hired a splendid lodging, in which he resided few
weeks. He then applied himself to friend. and told
him the truth fthe matter desired him 10 give him
200 livres and lend him 80, 900 in ready money for
few hours. Ills friend readily complied with his
request. The next day the old man made grand
entertainment, TO which his daughters and their
husbands were invited. Just The dinner was over
e