Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-02-07


lives.
Several months passed thus 10 love and
harmony; and the question of who shall be
master, had not again been agItated, when
one fine morning DR.. Arnold's gig again
stood before Mr.. Leslie's door, while the
young husband paced up and down the
drawing room awaiting with GREATNESS anx.
iety the result of the physicians visit Al
last the door Of the parlor opened, and Mrs
Dal!inger, Cisra's mother, entered. ALBERT,
said she, in a voice full Of joyful emotion,
God has sent you beautiful boy, aud Cia-
IA is doing we'll
Albert's face radiated Joy to the farthest
corner of the room, as lie respectfully kiss
ed the hand OF Clara's mother, and in few
words expressed his thankfulness. The boy
was of Course the finest child that either
father, mother, or grandmother had ever
seen, and when Clara was wei enough to
sit in great armchair, aud ho.d her baby
in her arms, Albert declared that his only
regret in life was. that Raphael was not liv-
ing to eclipse all his former productions
with Madonna and child, OF which they
should be the models.
The little fellow grew apace, and at six
months old, both father aud mother agreed
that no child of twelvemonth was ever SO
forward. But now, little chickering's, slight
in themselves, indeed, but alarming for what
they portended, began to invade the peace
of the lille household. Clara thought that
her husband should leave all the manage
ment of their child, in every particular, to
herself; and she was always displeased when
Albert objected to any OF her arrangements,
or proposed anything with regard 10 him
which she had not first suggested Mr.
Leslie was man of an aifectionaie dispo-
stion. He felt all intense love, and conse-
quentlv an intense interest in his child and
this disposition of his wife to exclude him
from all participation in the direction of his
inlanille education, both grieved aud pro-
voked him.
Clara, that chid's not well, sad Mr.
Leslie, one day, as he watched the little
boy, who sat upon the floor with his unheed-
ed playthlngs about him. and utterlng at ln-
tervals Il low moan, as if of pain. He is
not well, said he, and | am going 10 send
for DR.. Arnold
It's nothing but little cold, and don't
wish 10 have any doctor NEEDLE with him.
He would be much more apt to make him
worse than better
But, Clara, slight cold may become
severe one, and a severe cold may lead 10
fatal disease. should prefer to have the
doctor see him as soon as possible, Dr
think he is going to be sick.
Nonsense, Albert, do leave the child to
me. am quite as able to take care of him
and it Is qnite unnecessary for you TO be
conluring up these idle ideas
The blood rushed TO MIR. Leslie's face. as
he said Arc yuu amaze, Clara, thai YOU
are speaking IN avery improper manner and
that you display an extremely headstrong
and presumptuous splrup
Do |, indeed May presume to ask in
what particular am presump,uous Is it
in venturlng TO doubt that You are quite as
well fitted for 4 child's nurse as myself
You are presumptuous, madam, III think
ing yourself better Judge upon any im
poriant subject than your husband. You
are presamptuous in taking so freely the re-
spoh>bility Of that child's life or death,
without being fitted to Judge of the true
condition of his health -
Quite as well fitted TO Judge of it, my
dear, as any old Betty of doctor, or IA hus-
band, either; and allow me to tell YOU, Mr.
Leslie, that you are making yourself very
ridiculous in meddling with things entirely
out Of your province, and in attempting 10
play the master over one quite equal 10 her
own direction and to the management of her
own child
| was really in hopes, Clara, that YOU
had gained a little wisdom since former
conversation upon the subject of our posi-
tons regarding each other | see that you
have not, and now inform you, decidedly,
that you must either submit to my will and
acknowledge me as your superior, your
master, your dictator, or you and must
call separate dwellings home. Choose which
alternative suits you best; but remember,
that if you remain here. you are no longer
to oppose my will in anything see fit to
command. You are to acquesce in my
measures because they are mine, and with
out setting up your own whims and prelu-
dices in opposition 10 my opinions. | do
not disguise the truth from you. | know
that to your proud and stubborn spirit, I'M
bued as it is with false and mischievous
ideas regarding the position of men and
women, this submissive obedience will be a
bitter thing; but Clara, it is no more than
"a husband has right to demand of wife
no more than wife who knew her duty
would yield without a murmur. What is
your choiceP
And do you expect me to voluntarily
make myself slave; to put the yoke "a
round my own neck; to riyet my own
chainl If so, you are most egregiously
mistaken. No, sir would s'oner beg my
bread from door to door than to live here i'll
the degrading and contemplate condition
TO which you would reduce me. will leave
this house within all hour, and before re-
turn, you shall humbly aud penItently con-
fess that you have been most consummate
fool; you shall promise never again to pre-
sumo to dictate to me; you shall acknowl-
edge me your equal in every particular
you shall
Don't trouble yourself, madam. to emu.
merate the conditions of your return. II
will be quite time when request you to dc