Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-04-06
A STORY OF THREE WIVES.
FROM THE GERMAN.

summer about two hours before noon, a young
man ard serving maiden, both faithful domes-
tics of the family in whose household they
had been brought, were with great care lay
ing the breakfast table of their young master
and mistress lately married. 1t was evidently
a labor of love with both of them for, had
not Miss Emma herself taug Bettina TO read
and write while both teacher and taught
were but children and had not the old
squire, Miss Emma's father, taken Hal, when
left an orphan, into his house, and made him
a first-rate serving man and were not he
and Betina (now betrothed) the trusty and
loving servants of their young mistress and
her bridegroom So It was in every sense a
labor of love, as evident by the afec
tionate looks exchanged by the two servants,
and the playful skirmish of words that pass
ed between them. And they are arranging
8 the table with more than usual care Tor the
old squire and his wife are coming 10 break
fast with their son and daughter for the first
time since the marriage of the latter.
At length the preparations are completed :;
Hars eyes sean the table up and down and
across with the keen gaze of major-domo,
and stops his tender and lively conversation
with his companion with the words, VERY
good; the table is set"
Bettina, in her turn, gave glance of ap-
prevail, and confirmed il with the single word,
''Yesl"
'eThat is not enough objected Hal ''vou
must say as l did, Bettiaa, Very good; he
table is set"
what for :" asked the as;onished maiden
1T il custom in nv part of the country,
returned Hal, when one has completed any
appointed task, TO say, by way OF thanksyiy-
ing, every good" or III Is well, such such
business is DONE" OF such al adventure
has come 10 happy end
Bettina, however, in the levity of her
heart would not be persuaded that there was
anything but aSsurCity in uttering such words,
as applied 20 the transactions of every day.
Hal entreated her, for his sake at least, 10
say them. ''Nc." because he wished it
mo :" and l am sorry 20 say the young man
took his Bettina urgently by the wrist,
squeezing il with a most rough pressure, III
the endeavor TO force her to comply, till she
broke away in petulant anger, and, stamping
her foot, declared that ''all was over between
them -
As she rushed out of Halls presence, that
worthy gave utterance 20 the following senti-
ment: Caprice, thy name is Woman En-
treaties, tears, force, all have been in vain.
] might have beaten her TO jelly, but she
would not yield ?"
"Do not spoil Bettina's figure thus said
Il voice. as the opposite door opened, "let
her live to change her mind!" So saying, the
Young squire Alfred, entered the room,
laughing heartily at the recollection of what
which joined the parlor; for the young couple,
in the heat of their argument, bad raised
their voices higher than was prudent. Halls
confusion NAV be better imagined than des-
crIbed; but his young master condescended
to comfort him. and then gave directions for
bottle of claret, which must be put on the
table, as his father-in law liked that accom-
paniment to his dejau,er.
As Hal left the room TO visit the collier the
young bride Emma entered, and before long
her husband recOunted 10 her, with much
merriment, the conversation he had heard
between their two servants
Bettina refused and Hal insisted, till at
last they got into regular quarrel; he tried
to force her to say the words but to the last
she would not"
And quite right " was the unexpected
reply from the lovely bride one might ask
which was the most obstinate of the two, !"
Only" said the husband, - he requested
her TO say it,"
"But it was an absurd request"
think you it worth while TO persist
in an obstinate refusal Of such a trlfe ? .
asked the husband.
Just little was it worth while for him
10 persist in the reque~t. / do not consider
Bettina TO blame returned the lady, with
a little warmth OF manner, he~ foot impati
emily tapping the footstool it rested on as she
sat AZ her work.
Well" said the young squire, do not let
'S quarrel about it; if | were to ask you tC
say anything, you would say it, | am con
WINGED you would"
Z" And suppose | would not2" asked the
wife in return, after little laughing hesta
ton.
The case is not possible; let US put it tC
the proof" said Albert.
No, no." exclaimed Emma eagerly; pray
do mott"
- t,, ,-o,, E,,,r,,, inst aa,- ,,,,,,o + ,l.a,,
me, Very good, the table is set"
But alasl the consequences of this simple
request became even more serious than in the
case already described; for it is well known
that, when highly educated and polished
members of society condescend TO quarrel
their words no less cutting, and the
wounds inflicted are no less grievous. thar
those which are exchanged between disput
ants of lower grade. So, in this case the
wife insisted upon the folly of the request
and the husband declared that it was not
now matter of folly wisdom, but a test
of her affection for him. But she would not
yield.
And now the loving bride sat working witt
unnecessary diligence, her face turned aw..,
from her husband, while the fond Alfred
seized a newspaper-that refuge for perplexeC
husbands: but after few moments ht
glanced over at his wife, who refused to meet
his eye; then, clearing his throat, and ad
vanClng a step or two he said, Have YOU
thought better OF it. my Emma will YOU give
over this perverseness
Emma threw down her work in a passion
" How perversenessi You know | cannot
endure that word and | am not perverse
but it is you who are so in this matter to in
sist so obstinately on this piece oE folly"
=" But Emma, understand me, said Alfred
" it : not that the thing of itself is of any
Importance, except To show me that YOU can
not refuse anything | ask you; cannot bear
the though that You can say no" to any
request of mine :
'Soh / am never TO say no TO YOU" re-
turned the now excited wife, ALWAYS YES
yes. yes All all men are alike: YOU do
not want loving companion a sympathizing
friend you require that wife should be a
slave. And thus the subjugation is TO begin
with an act of blind obedience; but | will
never be slave, not | will never WELD
my rights either to threats or TO brute force
And he shall toe thy ruler, where Is that
saidg" interposed the husband very gently.
81 right then " cried Emma " YOU
would be the ruler and | am TO be the slave ;