Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-08-11
THE WIFE TAuER.

Mrs. Morton was a widow-a young, pretty,
rich uidow-when DR.. Charles Strahan made
her acquaintance. She was a poor but very
handsome woman when Squire Morton mar
ried her, and at his death, two years after, she
being the sole heir, put on her widows weeds
and Pocketed her deceased husbands gold at
the same time.
Madame Rumor said that poor old Morton
never enjoyed a single hour after he married
her but how should Madame Rumor know?
OF one thing, however, L can give my readers
reliable information. Mrs. Morton had not
been widow twelve months ere she received
with seeming pleasure very decided attentions
from DIR. Strahan.
Do you inquire who Dr. Strahan was Well,
he studied medicine, and had the title of M D.
conferred upon him, which he took great pleas
ure in attaching to the end Of his name with
grand flourish. BUTT is asserted that he never
had half dozen patients in as many years.
He was a young man Of prepossessing appear
snce; ready talker upon any subject, and was
IN fact first rate company. He played the
flute and sang-was a good dancer, and an ex-
cellent partner at whist; besides, he had some
literary reputation. He wrote poetry and two
column sketches for the Weekly Lsveler, and
last, though by no means least, he dressed in
good taste and In the hight Of fashion. How
ne did it no one knew, but then it was no ones
business.
But must be allowed to contradict one ru-
NOR which gained considerable prevalency, to
the effect that be supported himself by his lis
erary labors; an ordinary newspaper scribbler
could hardly afford Strahan's wardrobe.
Old Squire Morton had been dead but little
over year, when DR.. Strahan, despite all
that gOssipers could say, married the widow
and her fortune. The fact was, he wanted a
rich wife. As to her, she was anxious to leave
he weeds and go into society again; and she
could devise no reader way to accomplish
these purposes than by marrying. When any
one spoke to the doctor of her being a shrew,
be merely remarked that he should take great
pleasure in tanning a shreW.
For three months they lived happily together
for 1t was in the hight Of the season and be-
tween Cape May, Newport, Saratoga and the
White Mountains, they were alone with each
other scarce three hours out Of the twenty-four:
consequently II was impossible for them to dis
agree. But the season was soon over and they
returned to their quiet home-the place of all
others to study wife or husband; for there is
no unnatural excitement, no fashionable Mrs
"A. to Outdress, no prOhigate Mr.. b. to Guido in
squandering money; no one to see, to please,
but the ''other half -
After season of long-cOntinued gayety
there necessarily follows one of extreme dull
ness; and when one is dull one is easily dis
pleased Now Mr.. and Mrs. Strahan were
both OF them remarkable dull, and as a matter
OF course both preferred being pleased to at
tempting to please; and of course both were
greatly displeased
1t was their third day at home, upon which
their hrst quarrel commenced. How il began
neither could clearly tell. 1t is only known
that Strahan expressed a desire TO dine upon
roast beef, upon which Mrs. s said that she
abOminated beef, and stated her preference to
be roast turkey and oyster sauce; Strahan con-
sidered turkey child's food-he'd have beef
or nothing; she'd have turkey. And thus com
ms ha nf
butcher not to have fowl the other gave strict
Instructions not 70 have beef brought into the
house; between them they were both likely to
starVe if they remained at home; so the doctor
went to the village tavern and dined on beef
while Mrs. ,. visited some Of her friends and
partOOk of turkey.
After dinner DR.. S gave a wine supper in
the room which he designated by the name of
study, sort of variety store, in which he
kept his library, writing desk and spittoon
Here, also, were two glass cases, one Of which
contained giants skeleton, hung on wires;
In the other was an Egyptian mummy. The
walls were hung with euriosities Of all descrip-
tiOns; among them a cane from a tree which
grew over WashingtOn's grave, a snuff box
from wood Of the Charter Oak a chip from the
United States frigate Constitution; minerals.
shells and fossils of all kinds, specimen ears of
corn, enormous sized fruit and vegetables.
cases OF dried insects and jars of picked rep
tiles. Stuffed birds were perched about the
apartment, and vOluptuOus French Autographs
aud portraits of distinguished personages were
hung promIscuOusy on the walls; a long read
ing table, arm-chairs, a prescription case. n
mammoth bell-metal pestle and mortar, com
pleted the furniture Of the study"
During the same evening, Mr.. s. had whist
party in the parlor.
Wine held her votaries in bondage longer
than cards, and Mrs. 5. had dismissed her party
and retired hours before her liege lord came
TO his chamber; and when be did come he
found the door locked, himself without and his
wife within. in vain he called to her, she
could not and would not hear; and he was COM
PEELED 70 ind bed elsewhere which he did
muttering to himself, ''I'Il tame her vet. -
And he laid all night forming plan to bring
her to submission. In the morning he asked
her to walk into his study; and there, seated
In an armchair, they renewed their fierce
worded quarrel-during which Mrs. S. called
her husband heartless, brainless fellow, who
married ker for money. To which the doctor
replied by calling her a low vulgar woman.
who was only glad to marry professional gen
tleman and author 10 enable her to enter better
society. After which she tOyed with her fan,
and finally pulled the bell-cord, and ordered
the servant who answered it to bring her car
riage to the door.
e Where are you going" demanded the
doctor
- To ride, replied the amiabIe Mrs s.
g will go with you, please"
" But L do not please
Then choose to 60"
g Very well, then, you will go alone; for you
cannot 20 with me-"
8 You cannot 90 unless 60 with you"
- We will see"
We'll, We will see" and the gentleman
walked out OF the room, locked the door, put
the key into his pocket and left the house.
Mrs. ;. did not sit down and burst into
food Of tears, but waited patiently for the ser
want to return whom she had sent for the car
riage. When he arrived, she told him. through
the keyhOle, to return the horses 10 the stable
and place ladder up against the study win
dow. The ladder was placed according to di-
rections, and turkey, with oysters and pastry.
was brought up to her. The ladder was then
removed, and everything prepared for the re-
appearance of her husband
About the middle Of the afternoon the doc
tor returned home, stepped softly through the
hall toward the study door, and peeped through
the keyhole, expecting to seek a striking pie-
ture Of humility and cOntrition.
Judge Of his surprise, then, when he saw
Mrs. 5. sitting before his long reading table,
L. -. holI Il