The Feliciana Democrat., 1857-12-19
Il(,,
Tbe felitiaua 1snotrat.
HOUSEHOLD RULE.


point than another. it was in the management
of his household From the commencement OF
his matrimonial life he had cndeavored to rem
der his will absolute: and he so far succeeded
at last. that he satisfied himself that his aim
was accomplished Occasionally, it was true,
that SYMPTOMS of rebellion would manifest
themselves, but these lie promptly checked,
and his wife, after several years Of feeble resis
tance in the earlier period of her marriage
quietly settled down beneath his iron rule, part
ly for the sake of peace and more particular
" because she could not help it.
Slcox was prosperous trader, and enjoyed
a sufficient competence to render them COM
Portable, il worldly possessions have the power
to produce that happy state. Aside from his
impcrious disposition, which did not conlnc
itself to the limits of his own household. he
was altogether an agreeable man and good
neighbor; nor could his lady complain that he
did not provide literally for the wants OF the
family.
An old friend of his boyhood, having amass-
ed an ample fortune in Southern State, had,
few months prior to our date, purchased q
beautiful tract of land in the neighborhood,
upon which he was erecting q splendid man
sion. BY the earnest solicitation Of SilcoX, he
was induced to remain with his family, at the
house of the former, until his own residence
should be prepared for them.
Morton Gray differed greatly from his
friend lie had been better educated, and in
his intercourse with the world had maintained
the reputation Of polished gentleman, as well
as an cntcrprising man Of business. In his
family relations he had sought to be loved
and in this undoubtedly took the best means
to insure true authority. Nor did he think
the advice of his wife was beneath his notice,
but on the contrary often acted upon it in
preference to his own predetermined purpose.
'Tel me- Norton said Silcox, one day,
''if you are in the habit of consulting your wife
about all your affairs 2"
"Ccrtainly not, why, what do you mean?'
II notice that in the finishing Of your house,
she seems to have her way in almost every
particular"
"Why should she not my friend?'
because man should assert his authorl-
ty, and have his own way, in spite Of every
thing"
"But my way in this respect is TO secure
her happiness and pleasure. A woman, yoh
know, is compelled to remain in house near
ly twice the number of hours in each day that
we are, and experience teaches her what is
adapted to convenience and comfort. In these
matters she is much better judge than our
selves"
"A fig for womans Judgment, any how!
Why, if my wife had her way, the house would
be turned topsy-turyy, and | should become a
bankrupt in a very brief space OF time
~ should think, SicoX, that | was talking
with doublc-distilled old bachelor, instead Of
sensible married man."
81 am master Of my house, at all events"
"And precious management you would make
Of it, think, without mistress"
"My wife is well enough as long as she un
derstands that my authority must prevail"
"Takc my word for it, SilcoX, that yor
would like her all the better if you allowed hel
not to understand that so plainly
"It would not do to slack up the rcins.
have had altogether too much trouble to estab
lsh myself as master, to risk the experiment
'You can't tell that until you have made
the trial"
'Thank you, | have no relish for becoming
one of your meek, obcdcnt husbands"
"No more nave l."
"Thcn, what il the deuce are you driving
at?'
IT only wish, Simon, that could persuade
you for your own sake, to be less Of monarcl
in your family and more Of a husband J"
"Well, Morton, | see that we shall no
agree in this matter, but you will doubtless
abide by your ideas, and, as for me, why,
am satisfied with mine"
But he was not satisfied. lie had been be
fore the Grays came, but since then some un
pleasant doubts had occasionally agtated hi
mind concerning the proprety Of his conduct
Besides, he could not help contrasting th'
warm greeting which always welcomed th'
appearance Of bis friend, with the ndii'ercn
manner in which his own family acknowledged
his presence. For Morton, there were smiles
and hearty cxclamations for himself, simpl.
frigtd courtesy.
Mrs. SilcoX was also busy with comparison
and i'll this occupation rather deprecated he
husband than otherwise, and allowed the on
fault to cloud host of sterling virtues A
she marked the alectionate conduct of Mr.
Gray to his wife, and the ever cheerful cour
tenance which he brought into his family, sh
did not wonder at the domestic harmony whic
prevailed, and thought that if her husband po
sessed such a happy temperament, how muc
pleasure she should derive in her efforts