Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1873-07-23
The Gray Mare the Better Horse.

the origin Of the above proverb, the New
York Observer gives the following story !:
This we'll known proverbial saying
originated from the following circum-
stances: A gentleman Of certain coun-
ty in England, having married a young
lady Of considerable fortune, and at the
same time was possessed of many other
charms, he found not long after marriage
that she was Of high, domineering tenn
per, and always contending to be mis-
tress both Of him and his family there
fore be formed the resolution of parting
from her. Accordingly he waited upon
her father, and told him that he found
his daughter Of such temper that he
was heartily tired of her, and if he would
take her home again he would return
every penny of her fortune.
The old gentleman having inquired
into the cause of his complaint, asked
him why he should be more disquieted at
it than any other married man, since it
was the common case with them all, and
consequently no more than he might
have expected when he entered into the
married state. The young gentleman
desired to be excused if he said he was
so far from giving his assent to this as.
sertion that he thought himself more un-
happy than any other man, as bis wife
had spirit no way to be quelled, and
most certainly no man who had sense
of right or wrong could ever submit to
be governed by his wife. Son." said
the old man, you are but little acquainted
with the world if you do not know that
all women govern their husbands, though
not all indeed by the same method how
ever, to end all disputes between US. I
will put what l have said upon this
proof, if you are willing to try it.
l have five horses in my stable you
shall harness these to cart, in which ]
shall put basket containing hundred
eggs; and if, in passing through the
county, and making strict inquiry into
the truth or falschood of my assertion.
and leaving a horse at the house of every
man who is master of his family himself,
and an egg where the wife governs, you
shall find your eggs gone before your
horses, hope that you will then think
your own case not uncomWon, but will
be contented to 60 home and look upon
your own wife as no worse than her
neighbors If, on the other hand, your
horses are gone first, l will take my
daughter home again and you shall keep
her fortune"
This proposal was too advantageous to
be rejected. Our young married man
therefore set out with great eageraess, to
get rid, as he thought, of his horses aud
his wife. At the first house he came to
he heard a woman with shrill and an
cry voice call to her husband to go to
the door Here he left an egg. you may
be sure, without making any further in
auiry. At the next house he met with
something of the same kind. and at every
house in short until his eggs were almost
gone, when he arrived at the seat of a
gentleman of family and figure in the
country. He knocked at the door, and
inquiring for the master of the house was
told by a servant that his master was not
yet stirring, but if he pleased to walk in
his lady was in the parlor. The lady
with great complaisance desired him to be
seated, and said, if his business was ur-
gent, she would wake her husband, but
had much rather not disturb him. "Why,
really, madam" said he. my business is
only to ask question, which you can
resolve as well as your husband, if you
will be ingenious with me; you will
doubtless think it ood, and it may be
deemed impolite for any one, much more
a stranger, to ask such question ; but
as a wager depends upon it, and it may
be some advantage to yourself to de-
clare the truth to me. l hope these con.
siderations will plead my excuse. 1t is
madam, my desire to be informed whether
you govern your husband, or be rules
over you" "Indeed, sir" replied the
lady, "this question is somewhat odd ;
but as l think no one ought to be ashamed
of doing their duty l shall make no scru-
pie to say that l am always proud to
obey my husband in all things; but if a
woman's own word is to be suspected in
such a case. let him answer for me, for
here he comes"
The gentleman at that time entering
the room, and after some apologies being
made acquainted with the business con-
frmed every word his obedient wife had
reported in her own favor. upon which
he was requested to choose which horse
in the team he liked best, and to accept
of it as a present. au.
A black gelding struck the fancy Of
the gentleman most, but the lady desired
he would choose the gray mare, which
she thought would be very fit for her side
saddle; her husband gave substantial
reasons why the black horse would be
the most useful to them, but madam still
persisted in her claim to the gray mare.
What" said she. "and will you not take
her then = But I say you shall. for am
sure the gray mare is much the better