Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1856-12-18
Gboitt Mlistellang.
From DR. Bartlett's Anglo-Saxon.
The Head of the Household.

MARMSpuKE MELLEN was devoutly thank
full that he was a man. Entertaining, as he
did, .he idea that woman was vastly inferior,
intellectually, he felt that he had reason to
be SO. Perhaps, if he had had sisters, his
sentiments might have been modified, but
Marmaduke vas an only child, and the in
diligence which was lsvished upon him in
consequence, doubtless led him to think
himself of more consequences than,perhaps.
others might consider rightfully his due.
Marmaduke married at suitable age
His wife was a mild, .inofFensive sort of wo-
man, who would as soon have thought of
chopping her own head off, as of disregard
ing a command of her liege lord. Her SUBJ
missiveness strengthened in Marmaduke the
idea Of mans superiority to woman. Ac-
cus,omed to have his slightest wish regard
ed as q law, he unconsciously acquired 4
certain degree of imperiousness, which, be-
sides striking into the heart Of his unfor-
tunate wife, had the effect OF making him
generally unpopular, and caused him to be
regarded, in surrounding households, as
sort of modern Blue Beard.
All things have an end, and so it was with
the life of Mrs. Marmaduke Mellen. Poor
woman! her life had been far from a happy
one Meekly and uucomplainingly she had
walked through life. Yielding in all things
to the strong will of her despotic husband.
Ungrudgingly she had devoted herself to his
service. She now touk the liberty to die
the only thing, it may be SAID, during the
whole course of her welded life, which she
had ventured TO do without his permission.
Mr.. Mellen missed his wife. 1t would
have been strange if he had not. He be-
gan to feel that she had been far more ne
cessary to his comfort than he supposed
He hired housekeeper, but found that sfe
was far from supplying the place of his de-
ceased wife. Besides, being housekeeper
he did not feel at liberty to order her about
as authorisatively as if she were his wife
Under these circumstances, it was moi
strange that Mr.. Mellen should think o
taking to himself second partner. HI
pondered for long time on the importan
question. On whom, of all the marriage
able ladies' of his acquaintance, should b,
5estow the honor oil MS nanQ!
This was a weighty question, and he fel
it to be SO. He pondered long and anxious
". His anxiety, however, did not procee
from any apprehension of rejection, in wha
ever quar- ter he might pay his addresses
That idea never crossed his mind. 1t wa
rather that of one who, having a variety c
articles presented for his acceptance. is puz
zled 10 decide Of which to make choice.
A: le1gth he decided upon addressin
Mrs. Kent, widow who had lately move
aato the neighborhood. Of Mrs. Ken, pc
,soually, he knew little, except that she hs
a moderate property left her BY her husban
Hsving once made up his mind, he pr
.eeeded, with promptness worthy of Nap
leon, 70 put his plan into execution.
With the air of one comforting q favo
he laid his Proposal before the fortuna
lady whom he had selected as the recipiel
of his addresses.
Mrs Kent took the matter very coollT :
She requested time for consideration.
Mr.. Marmaduke Mellen was somewh
surprised that any lady should require tir
to consider such brilliant proposal. Ho
ever, as he felt quite easy about the ul
mate answer, he merely bowed acquiescen'
informing the lady that he would wait up
her that day week.