The Nevada journal., 1854-04-28
THE THREE WIVES.

mother-heart died with her, for from tha
hour the hapless Jeduthun seemed to hav,
no perception Of feminine excellence, ant
diverted himself with ridiculing the foible
of the sex, whose true character was to hin
a despised enigma. AS babe, he was fec
and tended by an invalid brother many
years his senior and he afterwards grew
in stature, and hard ungenial king o
wisdom, without much matronizing from
anybody. AS years and possessions in.
creased, he boarded at fashionable hotel
where the cook and attendants were of his
own sex, and ignored the address Of hi.
laundress. His predispositions against mat.
rimony were confirmed and strengthened
by the fate OF the brother alluded to, who
married somewhat late in lite, and after
an unhappy connection of several years du-
ration left his widow, permanent inmate
Of an insane asylum, and his three boys to
the guardianship Of their uncle. The re-
cipient of this unexpected legacy, who had
till then loved nothing the whole of his
miserable life, felt strange pleasures in
the duties of this new and unsolicited rela-
ton. The docility with which the little
fellows accommodated themselves to the
oddities of the eccentric hrmorist, their un-
questioning faith in his most sterling dog
mas, and their artless exhibition of person
al attachment won upon his isolated nature
to degree that surprised himself 1t SEEM
ed that these hel pless children were destn-
ed to fulfill to the lonely old man that fem
mime mission without which human life is
a failure, and happiness myth. With a
devotion and patience hardly to be expec-
ted of him, he reared the fragile boys to
manhood, gave them al the need(ul advan-
tages of books, and schools, and pocket
money and at last saw them all esta blish-
ed in business and in way to do credit to
themselves and their connections. Judge
then Of his painful astonishment when all
three waited upon him in body, to an .
nounce that they had jointly and severally
formed the audacious resolution of commit
ting matrimony. Neither would have dared
to approach the subject alone, and though
by each other, they felt so
much gratitude, reverence and compassion
for the prejudiced old man, that they fair
ly trembled for the result.
When the conf ssion was made to Mr..
Jeduthun Spike, he turned his back on the
agitated young men, and walked quickly
to the window. After standing silently for
some minutes he turned and said very
calmly
"Well boys, have nursed you through
the measles, and the scarlet fever, and the
cough, and did my best to ale
vlate what could not prevent. You are
now the victims of disorder quite as gen.
eral as the other, and for which there is no
remedy but experience. Neither precept
nor example, here his lips quivered Slight
ly-have been Of any avail in your case.
Go then and marry if you will. 1 give my
full consent, on one condition only. 1t
is that you all present yourselves in three
years from this day and hour, and declare
solemnly,upon worth ofrema ming manhood
whether you are unhappy, and why. The
causes of misery in wedIock are various
but the result is uniform. [ will excuse
you now, boys, as / have an appointment
with my tailor"
1t is needless to say that the three
nephews avaiIed themselves of the permiss-
ion thus unwillingly given, and that any
self reproaches of the kindest benefactor
did not seriously embitter the honey moon.
The three years that followed stole hand
full of grey hairs from the bald forehead Of
Jeduthan, Spike, and, as if ashamed Of
the theft, secretly restored them hidden
among the chestnut locks of his young re-
lations. And, as farther restitution, the
same silent agents transferred unnoticed a
portion of the hopeful tenderness of the
youthful Benedicts to refresh the withered
heart of the disappointed bachelor. The
time for the interview SO long anticipated,
arrived at last. In the luxurious rooms of
the lonely uncle, Henry and Charles, the
two elder nephews, waited impatientiy the
arrival of the younger.
ut is useless looking for Edwsrd," said
Charles at last 1--WE shan't see him be-
fore evening. His wife is now looking for
a needle to darn his stockings, and replace
the missing buttons upon his coat.
Yet as he spoke cheerful step was
heard without, and the tardy brother enter
ed the room, breathing quickly and with a
smiling apology for his delay The two
first arrived exchanged meaning glances,
but the merciless uncle cut short their mer-
riment, by saying gravely:
Henry, my boy you are the oldest. 1t
is just that you should lead upon this occa-
sion. Tell us frankly, how do you enjoy
married life?'
The young man paused for moment,
then with comical grimace that but Ill
concealed his reluctance, he replied:
1T is bitter dose TO swallow, confess.
Uncle, you are revenged.'
There was slight movement OF sur,
prise, for Mrs. Henry Spike was recogniS-
ed as decidedly notable.
4 thought said the uncle, dryly, that
yours was pattern wife.
Only too much so,' returned the nephew
1t is my belief that she was modelled up.
on the most approyed patterns and made