Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-10-09

~ """"i"" vi Siate PchcN 10 tnelr charms.
AT last one wiser, or with more tact than The
rest, suspected the truth, and finding the, the
usual methods of captivaton had failed, sud
denly became deeply interested in all mathe,
maical puzzles, and often invited the master
nome with her TO finish the 'ssums" and solve
me problems which she had gathered toge,h-
er III flle OF old almanacs as long as CEN
Jury. lie was at ease; and without enunir-
ing why, his feet would almost iuvoluntariIv
turn to where he was sure to find cheerful
hre, bowl OF apples, and slate and pencil
ready Tor his amusement. Jane Baker was
eiated with her stratagen,, and the result was
all she wished, and might have been anticipa-
leu. For make man happy-show him that
you sympathze with and understand his
ioible. and there must be strong reason why,
u he does not reward you with his love, or
what ~ his estimation is the same thing, the
privilege of wearing his name.
Jane did well she caught the schoolmas-
ter, and then had her life to learn that a ma,h-
ematical husband was even more tedious than
a mathematical lover.
Some five years after, paid them visit at
their own domicil found Jane with ms rea-
dy tact as ever, and her husband puzzling over
"Greenleafs last edi,ion.''-Three chubby
children had been given them; and from The
energetic manner in which the youngest used
ITS lungs, drew the conclusion that it inher-
ted It's mothers activity, Instead of its fathers
love Of silence and quiet.
The schoolmaster with his usual dignity.
babe me welcome, and began TO solicit nv
opinion as to the probable merits of a book
on geometry, which was to be published
some time. But Jane interrupted him:
"John, the fire is minus, and you will par
tIcularly oblige me to solve the problem of
now many sticks Of wood it would take 10
make good one"
tie mechanically turned to his black board :;
but she again interrupted the train of his
thoughts with:
"Please, husband, give us practical illus
trallon, and then by the warmth, we will prove
its correctness"
Like an obedient husband he proceeded to
comply with the request, and then returned
10 MS favonte amusement He was scarcely
seated, before Jane again propounded puzzle
for his solution.
"husoand," SAID she, "supposng one dead
chicken would make comfortable meal for
three, how long would it take to make two
live chickens dead 20
yves, yes, my dear he returned, shut
don't interrupt ME now, as am Just finishing
the equation of this problem, which never
has been solved by any mathematician. Ii |
can get it arranged correctly, The solution will
be positve."
but hungry family and squalling children
are problems which must be solved iirst.n she
returned laughing.
He east one lool, bic b1aoj. r
saddened sorrow, and, if ] did not mistake.
one of anger at his wife; but was too we'll
framed to dispute the command insinuated.
looked puzzle, but did not dare TO
PROFOUND it; yet she was too well versed in
the root of the query not to understand it.
! "He is good and kind" said she in explana-
lion' shut ne loves problem of figures and
signs better than Of living. He never knows
hunger or cold, while in his distractions of
fractions and always must propose nv
questions decidedly, or have them forgotten. -
"But-" SAID but did not dare pro-
pound the question.
She laughed, and said 'Oh, understand ::
you want 10 know why he is so obedent. II
IS long story in all but the conclusion of
1t was, that after had suffered neglect-seen
myself rivalled by an old black board. and
my children requiring some interest from their
father, was obliged to an open rupture and
say that 1t should not be--lhat he never
should do sum in the house, until ne attend
ed to my requests first"
"But how could you effect this % inouir-
ed
"Easy enough" she returned ~ only
seated myself by him, and rubbed out his f.
cures and signs as fast as he could make
them; and we came to an agreement that he
should do lhy bidding always, and would
leave him in quiet if possible"
"Wty," said ], in astonisliment, 81 thought
he loved you"
Love me!-he loves nothing but his pro.
blems and we came TO The compromise from
no other desire of his, bu! to save his darling
signs and demonstrations And" she contin-
ued energetically, "if you marry, marry any,
thing but quiet man in love with abstrac-
tons, fractions. equations, roots, factors, BIZ
nominals and trinominals.o