Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-03-28

Now generally my husband is the most ac-
commodating of men. He will say Eyes" to q
q lady, to please her, at any hazard; but this
question arriving at such an inopportune mo-
ment he forgot his gallantry, and said "No"
so abruptly, and with so much JUNCTION, that my
good sister surveyed him with unfeigned as
constituent | returned to my knitting and
she prudently began to talk wisely about new
book which she found upon a table, when Ar
thur considered to play the agreeable host and
smooth his ruHed brow.
Cannot everybody see the rock on which our
connubial happiness had split Was not the
skeleton" in our house our husbands motherP
| verify believe it for did not Arthur and
love each other very much, and did we ever
have misunderstanding, in which Mrs. Bur-
ney, senior was not concerned? The mischief
was, Arthur was dependent upon his mother;
she should, for our peace, have been dependent
upon him.
Mrs. Burney was wealthy widow, naughty,
imperous, and fond of rule. Arthur had re-
ceived a college education; and having pref
erence for law, had chosen that as a profession.
Indeed, Immediately after our marriage, he
opened an office, and sat down TO wait for cli-
ents. Not being in pressing need of practice,
neither haunted By ambitious dreams, he smok-
ed and yawned over law books, until his lady
mother intimated that he was not made for an
attorney and had better close his door to an
unappreciative public. This was great disap-
pointment to me. | had already elevated him
to the dignity of judgeship, and did not re-
sign my hopes without a remonstrance; to
which Arthur briefly replied that "Law was
humbug and he must please his mother"
From that moment her reign was absolute.
To satisfy her son, who really had little pride
at the bottom of his Incidence, (Arthur's beset-
ll,1
her man of business, giving him handsome
allowance for collecting rents, writing mort
cages, and cashing checks.
The hardest thing to understand was, why
she permitted him to marry me, who had not a
penny of fortune, nothing-in fact, but fin
ished education, respectable name, a tolerably
pretty face, and Il am not troubled with modes
ty) as much sense as any woman of my size.
l don't think have quite solved the problem
yet. Perhaps she hoped to have more influence
over a dependent daughter -in-law; possibly be-
cause Arthur was sometimcs-not often, addic-
ted to having his own sweet will. We were
seldom brought in contact, and | knew little
about her. She did not object, and rooms in an
uptown boarding house were engaged for Mr..
and Mrs. Arthur Burney.
Now commenced my novitiate to my new re-
lative. She coocd about me like wooing dove.
did moonshine. Our privacy land every couple
knows how delightful that is during the first
few weeks of matrimony) she invaded at all
hours, ostensiby with the most mothory mo-
tives, but really to keep herself informed Of our
comings and goings. My wardrobe was scru-
tnized, and its value quickly determined by her
keen, calculating eyes. My books were ex-
amined and criticised my correspondence in
quired into. In two weeks, Mrs. Burney, senior,
knew more about me than intended she should
in two years but her manner was so unobjec-
tionable, her questioning and cross-questionng
so artful, that at that early date she was more
than match for me.
Ny husbands mother should have been
counseor-at law. Pitt in his palmiest days
never asked more subtle questions, or gave
more polite answers. She never assumed q
position that was untenable, nor committed the
blunder of loosing her temper. The only dis
crepancy was, she gave her verdicts before sht
heard the evidence.
All this was accomplished by the cool, com
| plaisant polite lady, with not the least apparen
! interference or surveillance She was we'll -breC
to the last degree. She seldom made direc
charges, or faultered me openly; covert hint
gracefully thrown out, or inuendos covered witt
the vail of motherly interest made her motive
scarcely pcrceptible, but served her purpose a
well. had my suspicious, my misgivings; bu
this espionage was conducted so skiltully, tina
| had been several months bride before quit
realized the humiliation Of my position. Hat
| been bond-slave, no fetters Of iron coul
have held me closer than my husbands mothe
held me. | and Arthur were human chattels
nothing more-subsistng on her substance
obeying her will. She had prestige of powe
about her, such magnetism in her tone an
manner, that submitted in very awe, hardl
daring to ask myself why did So
One day after series of inquiries and in
vdious comments respecting some of m
friends, whom my fastidious mother-in-la'
thought were not eligible aqcuaintances for he
sons wife. | startled her and myself by sud
denly declaring that | felt quite competent t
make out my visiting list, and desired to be a
lowed to do so. 1t was slightly dsrespectful,
was also slightly true. Mrs. Burney looked m
over with her hard gray eyes, as if she conteml
lated transfxing me with her glances. Som.
how, those same glances had suddenly lost the
power. The little imp, Rebellion, had fairl
taken possession of me- and with his saucy eye
; l shot back such defiance that the lady made
skillful retreat from my presence.
went to Arthur; l might as well have AZ
pealed to lazy opium-eater. He was sleep
and hoped wouldn't disturb him. Certain
his mother knew best about social caste.
; Miss Stewart, or Miss Brown, did not belong
: "her set" it was proper that should cut the
at once, and adopt her advice, like reasonab
woman.
> > ADO not be so intensely heartless and selfs
i, Arthur" Indignantly exclaimed.
Il 81 am not selfish | am simply sensibl
. When you have lived longer, Ellen, you W
!. know more.
II "Dear me! What Methuselah of age, al
= Solomon of wisdom, | have in my husban,
Are you four or five month my senior|
D "Don't be sarcastic Ellen. My mother sa
- u no real lady permits herself to be sarcastic"
% l am gifted with nose that is inclined to
y up at certain provocations; this was one of the
:, :, and said nose was slightly out OF regularity,
y | replied:
"Annie Stewart is lady in the strictost ser
of the word. BY education, accomplishment
u and refinement, She is fitted for the highest |
-, siton in society. Moreover, she is staun
II friend good and true like her and, anC
u shall follow the dictates of my heart, ratf
u than those of your mothers head"
= "Who was Annie Stewards father" ask
80 Arthur, with the air of one who has poser
10 " an argument in reserve.
~ "He was a printer man capable OF edit
"a his own paper, and setting his own type; m
80 with large heart a sound mind, and pow
~, tul intellect. Who was your grandfather" 7"
ro Arthur wasn't prepared for this questions
nd had not anticipated such an awkward res
~ from his skilful lead.
tie "He was a tailor, Arthur Burney. None