Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-02-14
MISC L L L A n Y.
THE HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD.
CAPITAL DOMESTIC STORY.

Marmaduke Mellen was remarkably thank
ful that he was a man. Entertaining, as he
did, the idea that woman was vastly inferior,
intellectually, he felt that he had reason 10 he
so. Perhaps, if he had had sisters, his seni-
ments might have been modified, but Marina
duke was an only child, and the indulgence
which was layished upon him in consequence,
doubtless led him to think himself of more con.
sequence than, perhaps, others might consider
riehtfully his due.
Marmaduke married al a suitable age His
wife was a mild, inollensive SORT of a woman,
who wonld as soon thought Of chopping her
own head Off as Of disregarding a command Of
her lege lord. Her submssiveness strength
ened in Marmaduke the idea of mans superb
ority TO woman.
Accustomed to have his slightest wish re-
garded as a law, he unconsciousy acquired a
certain degree of imperiousness, which, beside
striking into the heart of his unfortunate wife,
had the effect OF making him generally unpop-
ular, and caused him TO be regarded, in sur
rounding households, as sort Of modern Blue
Beard.
All things have an end, and so i, was with
the life of Mrs. Marmaduke Mellen. Poor wo-
man Her life had been far from happy one.
Meekly and uncompainingly she had walked
through life, yielding in all things 10 the strong
will of her despoiic husband Ungrudgingly
she had devoted herself to his service. She
now took 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 with
out his permission.
Mr.. Mellen missed his wife. 1t would have
been strange if he had not. He began to feel
that she had been far more necessary to his com
fort than he supposed. He hired honsekeep.
er, but found that she was far from supplying
the place of his deceased wife. Besides, be-
ing hcusekeeper, he did not feel at liberty tc
order her about as authortatively as if sht
were his wife.
Under these circumstances il was not strange
that Mr.. Mellen should think of taking to him
self a second partner. He pondered ior lonl
time upon the important question. On whom
of all the marriageable ladies of his acquaint
ance, should he bestow the honor of his hand
This was weighty question, and he felt i
to be So He pondered long and anxiously.-
His anxiety, however, did not proceed from an.
apprehension of rejection, in whatever quartz
he might pay his addresses. That idea neve
crossed his mind. II was rather that of on
who, having variety of articles presented fo
his acceptance, is puzzled TO decide of whicl
. 10 make choice
! At length he decided upon addressing Mrs
Kent, widow who had lately moved into tn
neighborhood. OF Mrs. Kent, personally, h
knew little, except that she had a moderat
. property left her by her husband.
Having. once made up his mind, he proceed
! ed, with a promptness worthy of Napoleon
2 to put his plan into execution.
With the air of one comforting favor, h
It laid his proposal before the fortunate lady whoI
0 he had selected as the recipient of his address
: es.
!. Mrs Kent took the matter very coolly. Sh
e requested time for consideration.
: Mr.. Marmaduke Melen was somewhat su
's prised that any lady should want time to col
slider such brilliant proposal. However,