Connecticut western news., 1880-06-30
A DOMESTIC TYRANT.

zs s "A ltUMESTlG IYKANT.
 eff you marry Major Hunter, you'll be trod on-take my word for it, Miss Amory.''
 s.ss Do you think SOP" said the person addressed, quietly, looking up from the handkerchief she was hemming. $ Think so |? I know it. Don't you remember how his first wife fared.l Ii there was ever anybody I pittied, she was that one. Poor thing she didn't dare to say her soul was her. own. Ii she had had different husbande she ; would have lived till this time" r
 Very likely"
 " And yet, knowing all this, you are going to take her place." z Major Hunter will find me very different person from his first wife, ? said Miss Amory, composedly. However, g as | don't wish to anticipate trouble, we will, if you please, dismiss the subject. 9 This was not the first remonstrance which Miss Amory had received on the subject of her approaching marriage ; but her mind appeared to be made up, 2 and she was now occupied in making preparations for the wedding.
 What had been said of Major Hunter and his first wife was quite true. He was domestic tyrant and, holding the female understanding in very slight esteem, considered that the wife ought in all respects to be subservient to her husbands will
 His reason for marrying again was partly this, that he found no house. keeper who would be sufficiently subser- vient to his whims and caprices: Hav- ing lost one after another, he came to : the conclusion that he needed wife, and soon resolved to tender his hand to Miss Amory. We will not analyze her motives for accepting his proposal. Probably, however, a regard for MT. Hunters three children, who resembled their mother rather than their father, weighed with her quite as much as any other motive. But, however that might be. the marriage took place; and after a brief journey, Miss Amory returned as Mrs. Major Hunter, to take the place ot mistress of his household.
 Hitherto, Major Hunter had forborne , t.showing his hand :" Now, however, @ that their married life had fairly begun, he thought it high time to do so.
 "I have given Mrs. Hodges a weeks warning, he remarked, at the breakfast table, the morning after their return.
 Mrs. Hodges had been hous ekeeper 2 and maid-of- -all-work, the entire duties of the establishment having devolyec upon her.
 '' For what reason ?" asked his wife composedly. "Don't you feel satisfied with herr"
 It is not that, :" said the major, de liberately.
 !" Any difficulty about wages p asked his wife, unconcernedly.
 "No," said her husband, feeling ; littleaembarrassed. "The fact is, Mrs Hunter, there is not much work to do ii our small household; no more, in fact than one pair of hands can easily do My first wife did her own work Z ss Did she, indeed ?" said number two slipping her coffee.
 Yes, that with ease, although sh, was not very strong woman.'
 She died young, didn't she?" in quired her successor, tranquilly.
 Why-yes," said Maj-r Hunter slowly, betraying a little embarrassment "You know life is uncertain" 7-e'tS So I have heard" returned his wife
 Major Hunter was considerable puzzlet by the matter-of- fact manner of hisw Her cool olsef- possession awed him little If she had only stormed, he would hay, felt better prepared to meet that emer gency.
 In the course of the week." he pro ceeded, "you will undoubtedly get al idea of the course of the work by observ ing Mrs. Hodges.
 CT dare say might, said Mrs. Hun ter.
 Then need say no more. This da, week she leaves, and will resign tn duties of the household into your hands.
 Major Hunter took his hat, and wa about to leave the room, when he wa arrested by the simple address
 "Mr. HunterI'' {" Well?" said he, turning back.
 "It appears that you have been mak ing arrangements without consultin, me-"
 Without consulting you?" 7 }" Yes. ''
 Major Hunter was astonished at hi wife's temerity.
 "Why should consult you %
 Because I may not approve of them.
 Mrs. Hunter" said her husband warmly, |" it is your duty to acquiesce il whatever plans I, as your husband, ma see fit to form.''
 Indeed, I never took that view c the matter. !"
 Then the sooner you take it the bet CT"