River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-10
MANAGING A HUSBAND.

"True, Maj. Flint is wealthy man,
and good looking withal, but il you mar
ry him he will make you his slave--take
my word for it, Miss Anterior"
.'Do you think so2" said the lady ad-
dressed, quietly. looking up from her
embroidery.
Think 500 | know it. You cannot
have forgotten how his first wife Jared.
So gentle and lovely, too, as she was, yet
the poor woman never dared saw her soul
was her own, never! If she had had a
different husband she would have un-
doubtedly have been alive to-day"
"Very likely, Mrs. May"
"And vet, knowing all this, you are
going TO take her place."
''Maj. Flint will find me very differ
ent person from his first wife," said Miss
Anterior, composedly. However, as
do not wish to anticipate trouble. we
will, if you please, dismiss the subject"
This was not the first remonstrance
Miss Anterior had received on the sub
ject of her approaching marriage, but
she had made up her mind, it appeared,
and was now occupied in making prepa-
rations for the wedding.
What had been SAID respecting Maj,
Flint and his first wife was unQuestion-
ably true. He was domestic tyrant,
ana holding the female understanding in
very slight esteem, considered that the
wife ought, in all respects, to be subservi-
ent to the husbands Will.
His reason for marrying again was
principally from the fact that he found
no housekeeper who would be sufficiently
subservient to his whims and caprices.
Having lost one after another, he came to
the conclusion that he needed wife, and
soon resolved to tender his hand to Grace
Atherton, who had been warm personal
friend of bis lost wife. We will not ana
lyze her motives for accepting his pro-
posal, though probably a regard for Mr..
Flints two helpless little children, who
resem bled their mother rather than their
father, influenced her quite as much as
any other motive. However that might
be, the marriage soon took place; and
after brief journey MISS Atherton re-
turned as Mrs. Maj. Flint, TO take the
place Of mistress OF the household.
III therto Maj. Flint had foreborne to
''show his hand" Now, however, that
their married life had fairly begun, he
| thought it quite time to do so.
Il have given Mrs. Burns a weeks
warming" he remarked at the breakfast
table the morning after their return.
| Mrs. Burns had been housekeeper anG
maid of all work, the entire duties of the
household devolviDg upon her.
"And why have you given her week.
warning2" said the lady composedly
care you not satisfied with her3n
at is not that, madam" said the
Major, deliberately.
''Any difficulty about wages2" asked
his wife, unconcernedlv.
NO" said her husband, feeling some.
what embarrassed. "The fact is, Mrs
Flint, there is not very much work to dc
in our small household. at least, no more
than one pair of hands can easily do
MY first wife always did her own work
and with ease, though she was not very
| strong woman"
"Did she not die very young7' said wife
number two, slipping her coffee composed
ly.
why, yes" said the obtuse Mr.. Flint
little Disconnected. "You know The
young die as well as the aged"
so have heard" returned his wife
Maj. Flint was good deal puzzled by
| the matter of. fact manner of his new wife
| Her cool self possession awed him in spite
of himself. II she had stormed, be would
have felt better prepared to meet that
emergency.
Il shall permit my children to remain
where they are, at my mother until you
get accustomed to the house little. In
the course of the week. he added, ayou
will get an idea of the extent of the
work by observing Mrs. Burns"
And rising from the table, he was about
to leave the room, when his footsteps
were arrested by the simple address:
"Mai. Fllnt2'
"Well?" said he, turning back.
at appears that you have been making
arrangements without consulting me. "
Mai. Flint was astoHished OF his wife's
temerity.
.sYou. MADAME Why should / consult
you about my arrangementsP
"Because may not approve them"
"Mrs. Flint" he said severely, sit is
your duty to acquiesce in whatever plans
/, as your husband, see fit to form"
'Indeed, never took that view of the
natter
Then the sooner you take it the better"
ne said pompously.
"Do understand that you expect me
to perform all the labor required in this
establishment"
Exactly so, madam"
s'l believe you are considered rich
man, Mr.. Flintr'
II am accounted So" he replied, com
placently.
"And quite able to hire domestic as
sisianceg'
s'Yes. if it were needful."
suppose / tell you thai il is needfulp
81 should take the liberty TO doubt +,
madam
.fYerv we'll, Mr., Flint. since you force
it upon me, may as well tell you first
as lest my decision on this point. You
offered me the position Of wife, not that
OF maid servant. On this understanding
accepted voc. Yet If your circum
stances ever become such as to require il,
shalt not hesitate for 8 moment TO con
,orm myself 10 them. ] only object 10
assuming a burden which, from your OVID
account. appears to be quite needless.
am very willing to superintend the house
mold arrangements. considering that
duty which my position aeTolyes upon
me-
= have listened to your Arguments,
Mrs. Flint, and they are weak. They
don't weigh with me, madam"
1T is to be regretted, said his wife
calmly
ssTbe first Mrs. Flint better understood
Der duties as . wife, !" ne returned, excited
Nv. @Bcf II is quite useless ~ discuss the
point further with yo1, madam. How
ever. this oar week Mrs. Burns leaves as,
and ! expect You 10 qualify yourself toI
ASSUME her duties
Mrs. Flint smiled.
Mr.. Flint frowned. Then, taking bis
hat and cane, he left the house.