The Goodhue volunteer., 1863-01-21
WiafellNnepl,s Beadiug.
THE WIFE MEB; D.,
Or, How DR.. strahan was Foiied.

Mrs. Morton was q widow-a young
|pretty, rich widow-when Doctor Strahar
made her acquaintance. She was poor bu,
very handsome =. when Squire Morton
married her, and at his death, two years
aftor, became sole heir, put on her widows
weeds and pocketed her deceased husbands
gold at the same time. .'o.
Madam rumor said that poor old Nor
ton never enjoyed a single hour after be
married her But how should Madam Ru-
NOR know? OF one thing. however,, / Can
give my readers reliable Information. Mrs,
Morton had not been a widow twelve
months ere she received, with seeming
pleasure, very decided attentions from DR..
Strahan. ....,. ..q:.
DO sou inquire who Dr. St7ahan was
We'll. he Studied medicine, and had the
title OF N. D. conferred upon him, which
he took pleasure in attaching to his name
with great flourish. But it is asserted
that he never had half-a dozen patients in
as many years. He was of prepossessing
appearance, ready talker upon any sub.
IIJect, and was, in fact, tirst-rate company
tie wrote poetry and two-column sketches
Tor the Weekly Leveler, and last, though
not least, he dressed in good taste and in
the height of fashion how he cid it no
one knew, but then it was no ones busi-
ness.
But l must be allowed to correct one
rumor which has gained cons iderable prev
alence, to the effect that he supported
himself by his literary labors an ordinary
scr'bbler could hardly afford Strahan's
wardrobe.
Old Squire Morton had been dead but
a little over year when DR.. Strahan.
despite all the gossppcrs could say, mar.
ried the widow and her fortune. The fact
was, he wanted rich wife-as to her, she
was anxious to leave her weeds and 90 ;rto
society again, and she could divine no
reader way to accomplish these purposes
than by marrying. When any one spoke
to the doctor about her being shrew, he
merely remarked that hc should take
pleasure in tanning shrew.
For three months they lived happy 10.
gethcr, for it was in the height Of the
season, and between Cape May, Newport
Saratoga and the White Mountains, they
were alone with each other Scare, three
hours out Of the twenty four consequently
1t was Impossible for them to disagree. But
me season was soon over and they returned
10 their quiet home-thc place o! all Others
TO study a wife or husband, There is
no unnatural excitement-no fashionable
Mrs. A. to outdress, no prohicate Mr.. r
10 outoo IN squandering money no one to
See, to please but the other hail.,
After season Of long continued caietv
there necessarily follows one OF extreme
du'lness; and when one is dull one is easily
d'speased. Now Mr.. and Mrs. Straban
were both remarkably dull. and, as a matter
OF course, both were greatly displcascd.
1t was their third day at home upon which
their first quarrel commenced. How i1 com.
menced neither could clearly tell. It is
only known that Strahan expressed a de-
sire to dine on roast beef: Mrs. S. said she
abomlnated bees, and would have roast tur.
key and oyster sauce. He'd have beef or
I''oth'rg. She'd have turkey, and thus COM
fnenced the war Of the S,rahan's. One o,
Idered the butler not to have foul, the other
|gaVe strict injunctions not to have beefwbil.
Mrs. 5. visited hrr friends and partook Of
turkey. Z, " ~. - 5d.s~ e,
After suprer DR.: S. gave wine supper in
the room which he dignified BY the name OF
study, sort Of variety store in which he
kept his library, writing desk and spi,toon.
I Here also also were two glass cases, one o'
which contained a skeleton hung on wire
In the other was an Egyptian mummy, 81
Ihe walls were hung with curiosties ;
among them cafe from a tree which ~rew
over Washington's grave. snuff box from
the wood Of Charter Oak, chip from the
United States 'a1 friga.e Constitution, minerals,
Shells and fossils Q: all kinds specimen
ears OF corn, enormous sized fruits and
Vegetables, cases of dried insects and picked
reptiles. Stuffed birds were p=-ched about
the apartment and volup.uous French ltho-
lgraphes aad portraits Of distinguished per-
sonsges were hung promiscuously on the
walls long reading table, arm chairs,
Ipsezcrip,ion case, ) mammoth bsll metal
lpes'ie and mortar completed the furniture
of the study at&s s...@s..z.
During the SAME evening Mrs. 8. had. :.
Whist pariy il the parlor.
" me held Der vo'aries IA bondage loase.
I:han cards. Mrs s. had dismissed he,
{ party and retired hours behre her liegs lord
came 70 big chamber. and when ke did