, 1860-10-26
The Wife Tanner.

rich widow=-when DR.. Chas. Strahan made her
acquaintance. She was d poor but very hands
some woman when Squire Morton married her,
and at his death, two years alter, she being the
sole heir, put on her widows weeds and pock-
eted her deceased husbands gold at the same
time. 1u.l Tf 9 o.
Madam Rumor said that poor old Morton
never enjoyed single hour after he married her,
but how should Madam Rumor knowi OF one
thing however, can give my readers reliable
information Mrs. Morton had not been q wi
dow tNe We months ere she received with seen-
lug pleasure very decided attentions from DR..
Strahan.
Do you inquire who DR.. Strahan vast Well
he studied medicine, and had the title Of NJ. d.
conferred upon him, which he took great plea
sure in attaching to the end Of his name with a
grand flourish. But it is asserted that he never
had half dozen patients in as many years. He
was young man Of prepossessing appearance
a ready talker upon any subject, and was in fact
first-rate company. He played the flute and
sang-was good dancer, and an excellent part
ner at whist; besides, be had some literary re-
putatiOn. He wrote poetry and two column
sketches for the Weekly Lereier, and last, though
by no means least, he dressed in good taste and
in the height Of fashion. How he did it no one
knew, but then it was no ones business.
But must be allowed to contradict one rumor
which gained considerable prevalency, to the
effect that he supported himself by bis literary
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 iact was, he wanted a rich wife.
As to her, she was anxious to leave her weeds
and go into society again; and she could devise
no other reader way to accomplish these pur-
poses than by marrying When any one spoke to
the doctor Of her being shrew, he merely re-
marked tn It he should take great pleasure in
tanning shrew. brd iHI- .fg
For three months they lived happily together,
for it was in the height 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 I;
consequ ntly il was impossible for them to disa-
gree. But the seasln was soon over, aud they
returned TO their quiet holne-the place OF all
others TO study wilc or husband-there Is no
unnatural excitement, no fashionable Mrs A. TO
outdrcss, no prohigate Mr.. B. 70 outdO in squan-
dering money; no one to see, to please but tes
"other LalE"
Aflera season Of long continued gayety there
necessarily follows one Of extreme duiness; and
when one is dull, one is easily displ,ased. Now
msrkably dull, and as matter Of course both
preferred being pleased to attempting to please I;
and Of course both were greatly dis?leased.
Il was their third day at home, upon which
their first quarrel commenced. How It began
neither could clearly tell. IL is only known that
Strahan expressed a desire to dine upon roast
beef u ION vi ich Mrs. S. said that she abomin-
ated beeG, and stated her pref renee to be roast
turkey and oyster sauce--Strahan considered
turkey as child's fOod-'hs'd have beef or
nothing Shed have turkey; and thus COM
menc,d thewar Of Shaians. One ordered the
butcher not to have fowl; and the other gave
strict injunctious not to have beef brought into
the house between them they were both likely
to starve il thsy nmained at home so the doc
tor went to the village tavern and dined on beef
while Mrs. vi,ited some Of her friends and
partook OF turkey.
ANer dinner Dr.. S. gave wine supper IL the
! room which he diguilied by the name Of study
sort Of variety store in which he kept his H.
brary, writing desk and spittoon. Here, also,
were two glass cases, one Of which contained a
giants skeleton hung on wires; in the other was
an Egyptian mummy. The walls were hung
with curiositics Of al descriptions; among them
q cane from tree which grew over Washngton's
grave, . snnif-box from wood Of the Charter
Oak, a chip from the United States figate Con-
specimen ears Of corn, enormous sized fruit and
vegetables, cases Of dried insects and jars Of
picked reptiles. Stuffed birds were perched
about the apartment, and vouptuous French
| lithographs aud portraits Of distinguished per-
sonages, were hung promiscuousy on the walls
long reading table, arm chairs, q prescription
case, a mammoth bellmeta peslle and mortar,
completed the furniture Of the study y
During the same evening Mrs. 5. had whist
party in the parlor.
Wile held her votaries in bondage longer than
cards, and Mrs 5. had dismissed her party and
retired hours before her liege lord camo to his
chamber; and when he did come, he found the
door locked, himself without and his wife within.
In vain hs called to her; she could not and would
not hear and he was compelled to find a bed
elsewhere, which he did, muttering to himself,
III tame her yet And he laid all night form.
| ing plan to bring her to submission. In the
morning he asked ber to walk into his study and
there, seated in an armchair, they renewed their
| fierce wOrded quarrel--during which Mrs s.
called her husband heartlcss, brainless fellow,
who married her for her money. To which the
doctor replied by calling her a low, vulgar wo-
man, who was only glad TO marry professional
gentleman and author to enable her to enter
better society. Aiter which she toitd with her
fan, and finally pulled the bell cord and ordered
the servant who answered II to bring her carriage
to the door, tr.l--
.'where arc you going ," demanded the doc.
TO. E0I1r ,l-E" alfl
aTO ride replied the amiabIe Mrs. Strahan.
al will so with you, please"
"But DO not please"
Then choose to 60"
J avery well, then, you viii 90 alone, for you
cannot go with me-
"YOn cannot 90 unless 60 with you"
ave vii see"
sweIl, we will see, ," and the gentleman walked
out of the Foom, locked the door, Put the key
into his pocket, and lrt the house.
Mrs. s. did not sit down and burst into Hood