The Arkansas banner., 1844-02-20
MISCEL.LAN EOUS.

is an old story of man, who had married a young lady, and who had friend somewhat sceptcal as to the odedient tendency of the wife's disposition, much to the dissatisfaction of the benedict, who strongly asserted and wasmly asseverated that his will was law, and that she never, by any chance, disobeyod any wish or injunction of his.
 Have you ever tried her temper in that respect ," said the friend, shave you ever desired her positively not to do any parttu- lar thingi for that is my point, since you tell me she never refuses 10 dc whatever you de- sire"
 ssNo said the aflectionate husband, ney- CT have found occasion to desire her not to do anything, but---o
 ssThat'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.o
 Ridiculous" says the husband.
 "Try,n says the friend.
 "Well,o replied the husband, "agrcedl we are both going away for the day 5; what proof shall put her to. What shall l tell her not to do May she not play the 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.,'
 ssOh, no,n said the friend, "drawing and singing and playing the harp, are things she might abstain from without murmur, or, what is more essential to the affair, won- der; because she has sung and played and drawn thousand times 1t is an injunction not to do something she has neyer done be- | ,ha,, n, pnt to climb some particular hill, for particular reasons which you do not choose to give her; or, by way of carrying the principle To It's fullest extent; warn her not to attempt to ride on the dogs baGso
 "Neptune's back ID said the husband.
 "Yes," replied the friend, Son the back of this most valued Newfoundland dog, the bra vest and faithfullest of his breed"
 "Ride on dog's back" exclaimed Bcne- dict, sshow can you be so absurd as ii'---"
 "Ah there it is," said the friend, "as if- now, take my word for it, ify you issue the in- junction, without giving her any reason, llar- riet will break it."
 The most incredulous of men reioced al the idea. which he felicitously ridieuled, and resolved upon trying the experiment III order to establish his Harret's superiority ol mind, and his friends exceeding stiffness.
 He parted from his Harriet and with ten- der fondness she clung round his shoulder, as he said in quitting her,
 < Harriet, dearest, we have seldom been separated since our marriage-i shall be back soon-take care of yourself loye-but just attend to one thing am going to say, dear !; don't try to ride upon Neptune's back while we are away"
 "Whatp' said the laughing Harriet, 'sride upon Neptune-ha, Ina, ha, what an idea l. is that all you warn me againsts why, what ridiculous notion? why should you tell me that what nonsense :"
 "That, my dear," said the husband, Sis secret, all l beg of you is not 10 ride upon Neptune"
 .sRde upon Neptune p and she laughed again and they parted When Benedict and his friend returned to dinner, the laughing Harriet did not, as us- ual, present herself to receive them there was sort of gloom prevailing the house, the footman who opened the door looked dull !; the butler who came into the hall looked as white as his waistcoat lady's own maid rush. cd down stairs, evidently to preventa scene.
 "Up stairs, sir, said the maid, there is noth- ing the matter-nothing in the world, sir;- only mistress has had a fall-quite little fall on the walk in the flower garden-and has cut her face the least bit in the world, sir; all will be well tomorrow"
 'sA falln' said Benedct.'
 "Humphr' r' said the friend
 And up stairs ran the anxious husband.
 "What has happenedn' exclaimed he catch ing her to his heart, and seeing her counte- ance a little marred-s.how did this happens"
 Harriet cried and hid her face.
 The explanation never came altogether clearly before the friend of the family, but the accident was generally thought to have aris- en from Harriet's having endeavored to take ride upon Neptune's back.
 THE ROUTE TO OREGoN.-The emigrants to Oreoon sovs Western Daner. have lOnG