The semi-weekly mountain Democrat. (Placerville, El Dorado Co. [Calif.]) 1860-1860, 1860-12-01
Origin OF 81 The Gray Mare the Better
HOrse.n

Horse"
A London citizen married lady with
face and fortune, and found in q very
short time that he had got the worst Of
the bargain, so that he was resolved to
part from her. Accordingly he went to
the lady'S father and told him he found
his daughter Of such temper, and was
SO heartily tired of her that if he would
take her home again he would return ev-
cry penny Of her fortune. The old gen
tlcman having inquired into the cause of
his complaint asked him why he should
be more disquicted than other married
men, since it was the common case with
them all, and consequently no more than
he ought to have expected when he enter
ed into the married state. The young
gentleman desired to he excused he said
he was so far from giving assent to this
assertion that he thought himself more
unhappy than any other man, as his wife
would ride over Il man, and was not to be
qucllcd; and no man who had SENSE Of
right and wrong would submit to be gov
erncd by his wife. "My son, said the old
man, "thou little knowcst the world, and
that aii women ride over their Husbands,
though not all, indeed, after the same
fashion. However, to end all disputes
between Us, | will put what have said
on this proof it, you are willing to try it
have five horses in my stable you shall
harness three to Il cart, in which Shall
put basket aud one hundred eggs, aud
if, i'll passing through the country and
n0king strict inquiry into the truth or
falschood of my assertion, and leaving II
horse at the house Of every man who is
master Of his family himself, and an egg
only when the wife governs, YOU find Your
eggs gone before your horses hope You
will give it in, and remain content with
your lot. IT, on the other hand, Your
horses are gone first, will take my
daughter home again, and you shall keep
the money"
This proposition being agreeable, the
young married man started with great
glcc upon his tour of discovery to "gct
shut" as he thought 0i his horses and his
wife. At the first house he came to he
heard woman with shril, angry voice
call to her husband and order him to the
door. Here he dropped his egg, and at
the next, and meeting with something of
the same kind at every house, he soon be-
gan to get short of eggs. At last he ar
rived at the seat Of u gentleman of family
and figure III the country, and inquiling
for the master, was told by the servant
that he was not yet stirring, but if he
pleased to walk III my lady was in the
parlor. 1hc lady, with great complai-
Sancc, desired him to be seated, aud said
If his business was very urgent she would
arouse her lord, but had much rather not
disturb him. Why, really, maIam,"
said he, "my business is only to ask
question, which yon can resolve as well
as your husband, il you will be ingenious
with me. You will. doubtless, think it
odd, and it may be deemed impoite for
any one, much more stranger, to ask
such question : but as very consider.
able wager dcptnds upon it, it may be
SOM advantag" to yourself To hrrlar" the
truth TO me, | hope th' Sc Considerations
will plead my excuse. 1t is, madam, to
desire to be informed whether you govern
your husband or he governs you I'm
decd, SIR, replied the lady, "this ques-
tion is somewhat odd hut, as think no
one ought to be ashamed of their duty,
shall make no scrnplc to say that have
always been proud to obey M Husband
in all things; but if womanS $ own word
is to be suspected in such cSSc, l. Him
answer for me, for here he comes"
The gentleman at that moment entered
the room, and after some apologies, being
made acquainted with the business, con.
irmcd every word his obedicnt wife had
reported in her own favor; upon which
he was invited to select which horse in
the team he liked best and accept it as a
present. y black gelding struck the fancy
OF the gentleman most; bu: the lady de-
sired that he would choose the gray mare,
which She thought would be very lit for
her sidr-Sadlle; her husband gave sub
Stantal reason why the black one would
be most useful to them, but my lady still
persisted in her claim, and stuck to the
gray mare like burr. "What :" said
she, land will you not take her then:
But say you Shall, for | am sure the
gray mare is much the better horSr."-
"Wcll, my DEAR replied the husband,
"if it must be so--!" "Yuu must
take an cgg, replied the young gcutle.
mn. Garter and must take all my.
nags back again." -
---- = - go