Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-11-26
From tho National Era.
THE wIFE's MISTAKE.
A Sequel to aThe Better Way,


was her success. Kate's life with he
grandfather, and afterwards, with the Les
lies, had been very domestic, and as sh,
expressed II, very trisfe she had gone bu
little into society. Now she was resolved
TO have compensation, since no greater oh
stacle than Lem Dunn" interviewed.
Formerly she was prevented from going
TO balls and parties by want of propei
chaperonage; now her stale as a married
woman rendered her independent Of that
Kate was now resolved TO combine all the
pleasures Of a matron consequently, in
fashionable society where her resplendeni
beauty and sparkling wit drew many admir-.
ers. she was always surrounded by a circle
OF men, who were very well pleased TO car.
~ on Irritation with pretty women, with
out the fear Of suit for breach OF promise
before their eyes. There was one man,
however, who was constantly banished from
her circle, and that man was her husband.
There are hundreds Of intelligent men
and pretty women here tonight 60 and
amuse yourself, shall not be Jealous" was
the kind address Of Kate to her husband, as
he fingered by her side.
Captain Dunn walked of and took an e1.
fra glass Of rciHe
"Can you not comprehend that, as we are
married now. your attendance can be dis
pensed with nay, more-that il is outre,
absurd, TO remember that you have a wife
in the roomi was the peiulant speech with
which she received him, when he returned
after an hours absence.
Decidedly, Captain Dunn, you are max.
ing yourself and me appear ridiculous by
this Darby and Joan exhibition Of conjugal
affection. Positively we shall be cited as a
'paiiern couple" aud know nothing that
would be more scandalous or alarming, said
Mrs Dunn TO the Captain, as they entered
the carriage TO return from large party one
evening.
81 don't understand your opinions and
feelings upon this subject. Catherine, but l
don't like this fashionable way Of waiting
upon any other woman but my own wife,
and seeing her attended by any other excep,
her own husband"
"Oh, indeed, Captain Dunn, you make
me quite sick, talking SO foolisbiy about
own wives and own husbands; the fact
OF our marriage is incontrovertible; there
is no need to emphasize it so often."
"kate's head is a little turned by her
French romances, but I feel sure her prin.
ciples are really sound. will not make
myself ridiculous. as she would call il, BY
a-~,fing. 80. s-iii = ----y h-- ~ ---i---
remonstrance now. Give her folly its full
sway; il will soon wear itself out, or
Captain Dunn paused in his mental solilo-
guy, poured out and swallowed glass OF
wine,
A fewweeks from this time, Captain Dunn
was ordered TO sea, and made preparations
with reluctant heart, TO leave his bride
A few days previous to joining his ship, he
seated himself by the side Of Catherine, and
passing his hand caressingly through her
ringlets, said:
"You will be very lonesome in this large
house when ] am gone, dear wife,"
ooh, no sha'n'i shall I'll it with COM
pany; don't tumble my curls. please, Cap.
tain" Captain Dunn folded his hands and
a sigh escaped him.
"a have been thinking, Kate. Of inviting
my mother to take up her residence here
during my absence"
ITO watch your wife. presume, sir, and
to look after your interests, Of which you
think me incapable"
Kate, how can you; i had no
thought beyond giving you pleasure by pro-
viding you with desirable companion"
"rhen, Captain, | beg you will not troub-
lie your mother TO leave her own home, to
come 10 me it might greatly Inconvenience
her"
"Not at ALL Since my sisters marriage
and departure for Europe. my mother Is
quite alone, and very sad she would be
more cheerful here with you"
81 do not think so--old people are sci.
dom contenied out of their own homes"
Eyes, but with my mother it is different
she has an excellent heart and most Sc.
rene temper, and is prepared to love you as
daughter. Besides, her support has hith.
erio been my most agreeable duty but
cannot now sustain the expense OF two es.
Establishments so you see the propriety, nay,
the necessity, that obliges me to offer her a
home here"
II thought il was all on my account"
sneered Kate "however you may be sure
she would be much better off in a good
boarding home"
MADAM |" exclaimed Captain Dunn. in
angry establishment, but quickly controlling
himself, aud looking seriously in his wife's
face, he inquired, "Am to understand,
Catherine. that you are opposed to my moth.
er's presence in this house r.
Notwithstanding all her assurance, Hates
eyes fell and her cheeks glowed under the
gaze that was fixed upon her. She was de-
termned TO have her own way. however,