Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1853-10-06
THE THREE WIVES.
BY p. ii. COOKE.

Mr.. Jedurhum Spike was an eccen'
Iric bachelor of fifty. His mother died
IN giving him birth, anG il would seem
that the mother-heart died with her, for
from that hour the hapless Jeduihum
seemed to have no perception of ieme
nine excellence, aad diverted himself by
rldiculing the foibles of the sex, whose
true character was TO him despised en-
Igma. As babe, he was fed and tend
ed by an invalid brother many years his
senior; and he afterwards grew IN stature,
and hard, ungenial kind OF wisdom,
without much matronizlng from any.
body. As years and possessions in.
creased, he boarded at a fashionable ho.
;el, where the cook and attend ants were
of his own sex, and ignored the address
of his laundress. His predispositions
against matrlmony were confirmed and
strengthened by the fate of the brother
alluded 10, who married some WI hat late
n life. and, after an unhappy connection
OF seven years duration, left his widow,
permanent inmate Of an insane asy.
lum, and his three boys 10 the guardian.
ship Of their uncle. The reclpien, Of
this unexpected legacy, who had ill then
loved nothing in the whole of his miser.
able life. felt a strange pleasure in the
duties of this new and unsolicited rela-
ton. The docility with which The little
fellows accommodated themselves to TIE
oddities OF the eccentric humorist, their
urqueslioning faith in his most startling
dogmas, and their ariless exhibitions of
personal attachment, won upon this iso-
lated nature to degree that surprised
himself. II seemed that these helpless
children were destined unconsciously to
fulfill TO the old man that femenine mis-.
sion without which human life is fail
ure, and happiness myth. With a de-
vo.ion and patience hardly to be expect.
ed Of him, he reared The fragile boys to
manhood, gave them all needful advan-
tages Of books. and schools and pocket
money, and at last saw them all eslab-
lished in business, and in way to do
credit TO themselves and their connex
ions. Judge then Of his painful aston
ishmeni when all three waited upon him
in a body, to announce that they had
jointly and severally formed The auda.
cious resolution of committing mairimo-
ny. Neither would have dared approach
the subject alone, and though coun,enan-
ced by each other, they fel, SO much
gratitude. reverence and compassion for
the prejudiced old man, .ha, they fairly
trembled for The result.
When the confession was made to
Mr.. Jeduthum Spike, he turaed his back
on the agi'aled young men. and walked
quickly to the window. After Standing
silently Tor some minutes, he turned and
said:--
"Well, boys. have nursed you all
through the measles, aud the scarlet.fe-
yer, and The whooping cough. and did
nv best TO alleviate what could not
prevent. You are now the victims Of q
disease quite as general as the other, and
for which there is no remedy but expe-
rience. Neither precep, nor example" !"
here his lips quivered sligh:y--"have
been Of any avail in your case. Go,
then, and marry. if you will. j give my
full consent on one condition only. Ills
tina, you all present yourselves in three
years from this day and hour. and de-
clare solemnly. upon the worth of your
remaining manhood, whether you are pm
happy and why. The causes Of mise
ry in weclock are very varions. ou' 'ne
result is uniform. | will excuse you
now. boys. as have an appointment al
the tailor'e.'
I. is needless TO sss that the three