Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1860-06-29

| death of the trst Mrs Mellen was generally
attributed to long course of Tyranny on
the part of her husband.
Did not all this lead her to reject his suit
summarily?
1t did not Mrs. Kent was aware
that, whatever might be Mr.. Mellen's
peculiarities of temper, he was a man Of
wealth and position. Of course, as his
wife, she would share in these advantages.
As to the drawback limited above, she was
woman of strong will, and did not feel
particularly dismayed. She anticipated
thai Mr.. Mellen would attempt to domineer
over her, but was quite prepared for such
an emergency.
Having duly weighed all the considera-
tions above mentioned, when Marmaduke
waited upon her on the day appointed, she
acceded to his proposal, and fixed upon an
early marriage day. This was not long in
arriving. -Four weeks from the date of
her acquaintance, Mrs. Kent bade farewell
to the name beaueathed her by her first
husband, and became Mrs. Mellen the
second.
For brief period all went smoothly
Mr.. Mellen thought it best to wait until
the close of the honey moon before be
made known to his wife the plan of govern
ment which he had adopted for her bene-
fit.
One day, after the usual dinner hour,
Mr.. Mellen returned to find his mother-in-
law seated at the dinner table beside his
wife. Now, to mothers-in-law, Mr. Mel
len had a special adherence. He
would have been very glad never to have
had one enter his house. As, however, a
regard to appearance would not quite
sanction their utter exclusion, he was
disposed to have their visits like those of
angels, (Which he was far enough from
considering them, few and far between.
Accordingly, the look which he directed
toward the hapless lady sustaining that
character. was by no means a welcome
one.
This was not ALL Actually, his wife
had had the audacity to order up dinner
before he arrived. To be sure be was
nearly an hour late, but what of that p
Wasn't it his wife's duty to wait for him,
even if he were three or four hours late :?
Eating dinner!' he exclaimed, with
mingled surprise and asperity, as he entered
the room.
"Yes," said Mrs. Mellen, careIessly,
"you are rather late to-day, and as mother
had quite long walk, and | felt hungry,
we decided to have dinner Immediately"
"And | suppose said Mr.. Mellen, hastily,
a am expected to eat cold dinner?''
"Really, Mr.. Mellcn," said his wife,
lifting her eyebrows in some surprise,
"one would think you were angry"
$50 am, madam / am accustomed
to have dinner wait for me-"
"However late you return?"
"Yes, however late | return
"There is no objection to that, I am sure.
You will have your dinner whenever you
choose, of course, and I suppose l may
exercise the same privilege" q"
"We shall see, madam
Certainly, we shall see"
" Really, Maria, and Mr.. Muiiuu, YOU
should not differ" expostulated the moth
er-in-law.
"Oh. don't be troubled, mother" said
her daughter, coolly, '.it's only little diff
ference that will be soon arranged, we shall
understand each other better by and by"
"Yes, madam, said Mr. MeIlen, signifi-
cantly, Your daughter is quite right, we
shall understand each other better by and
by"
"You see, mother, there is no cause for
apprehension
But am afraid
"Will you have another potato Yours
must be quite cold," interrupted Mrs.
Mellen.
Finding further remonstrance useless,
the mother-in-law was silent.
Mr.. Mellen was somewhat disturbed by
this occurrence. He could not conceal
from himself that his wife, as yet, was far
from being in that state of subordination,
which he considered proper and becoming.
However, time will remedy that" tho't
he to himself.
The next day, although his business
arrangements were by no means urgent, he
purposely delayed half an hour beyond the
regular dinner hour. When he returned,
he found his wife and mother-in-law just
rising from the dinner table.
What does this mean?" he exclaimed
angrily.
"Only that two is our regular dinner
hour"
"And you expect me to eat cold dinner
whenever an engagement detains me la
teri"
Not at all. l directed Bridget to
keep portion of the dinner hot for you.
She shall bring it up directly. So saying,
she moved towards the bell and rang it.
Mr.. Mellen was nonplussed. He hardly
knew what to say. He finally determined
to wait until some plan should strike him
calculated to humble his wife's pride. At
present, therefore, he said nothing, but ate
lis dinner in gloomy silence.
Meantime, bis wife continued to chat in
lively strain with her mother, and their
frequent laughter Jared very diseordantly
on Mr.. Mellen's nerves.
| Shortly after dinner, Mr.. Mellen con-
trived to see Bridget without his wife
knowledge.
Bridget" said be, II find that for two
days past dinner has been served up be-
fore / came home. Hereafter you must
wait until return before doing So
.sBut the misthress told me-" said Brid-
get.
81 know that," said Mr. Mellen, 'sbut
YOU are bound to obey me, rather than