The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-10-07
Select STORY.
MANAGING A HUSBAND.


and good-looking, withal, but if you marry
him he will make you his slave-take my
word for it, Miss Atherton."
sDo you think SOP" said the lady ad-
dressed, quietly, looking up from her en-
broidery.
sThink so? 1 know it. You cannot
have forgotten how his first wife Jared.
So gentle and lovely, too, as she was, yet
the Door woman never dared say her soul
was her own-never! If she had had a
different husband, she would undoubtedly
have been alive to-day"
Every likely, Mrs May
"And yet, knowing all this, you are go
ing to take her place"
"Maior Flint will find me very differ
ent person from his first wife, said Miss
Atherton, composedly. However, as [
do not wish to anticipate sorrow, we will,
if YOU please, dismiss the subject"
This was not the first remonstrance Miss
Atherton had received on the subject of
her approaching marriage, but she had
made up her mind, it appeared, and was
now occupied in making preparations for
the wedding.
What had been said respecting Major
Flint and his first wife was unquestionably
true. He was domestic tyrant, and hold
inc the female understanding in very slight
esteem. considered that the wife ought, in
all respects, to be subservient to the hus-
bands will.
His reason for marrying again was prin-
cipally from the fact that he found no
housekeeper who would be sufficiently sub
servient 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 Grace Ath-
erton, who had been warm personal friend
of his lost wife, We will not analyze her
motives for accepting his proposal, though
probably regard for Mr.. Flint's two help
less little children, who resembled their
mother rather than their father, influenced
her as much as any other motive. How
ever that might be, the marriage soon took
place, and after brief journey Miss Ath-
erton returned as Mrs. Major Flint, to take
the place of mistress of the household.
Heretofore, Major Flint had forborne 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 week S
warming" he remarked at the breakfast
table, the morning after their return.
Mrs. Burns had been housekeeper and
maid-of-all-work, the entire duties of the
household devolving upon her.
"And why have you given her week S
warning said the lady, composedly. care
you not satisfied with her p
at is not that, madam, said the Major,
deliberately.
"Any difficulty about wages?" asked his
wife, unconcernedly.
"No," said her husband, feeling some
what embarrassed. "The fact is, Mrs.
Flint, there is not very much work to do 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 a very strong wo-
man..
'Did she not die very young?" said wife
number two, slipping her coffee composedly
"Why, yes" said the obtuse Mr., Flint,
little Disconnected "You know the young
die as well as the aged. y
$50 | have heard, returned his wife.
Major Flint was a great deal puzzled by
the matter-of- fact manner of his new wife
Her cool self possession awed him in spite
of himself If she had stormed, he would
have felt better prepared to meet the emer,
gency. ....
II shall permit my children to remain
where they are, at my mothers, until you
get accustomed to the house little. In
the course of the week" he added, "you
will get an idea of the extent of the work
by observing Mrs. Burns"
Rising from the table, he was about to
leave the room when his footsteps were ar,
rested by the simple address:
"Major Flint "
"Well p said he.
"It appears that you have been making
arrangements without consulting me"
Major Flint was astonished.
"You, madam Why should 1 consult
you about my arrangements ?"
Because I may not approve of them"
"Mrs. Flint" said the Major, "it is your
duty to acquiesce in whatever plans L
as your husband, may see fit to form"
"Indeed, never took that view OF the
matter" said Mrs. Flint.
'Then the sooner you take it the better,
was his reply.
"Do you expect me to perform all the
labor required in this establishment
Exactly SO, madam
II believe you are considered a rich man
Major Flint ?"
II am accounted SO, madam" he replied,
complacently.
"And you are quite able to hire domes-
tic service, are you not z
eyes, if it were needful.
Suppose I say that it is needfulP p
II should take the liberty to doubt it,
madam" he replied.
every well, Mr.. Flint; since you force
it upon me, may as well tell you first as
last my decision upon this point. You Of
fered me the position Of wife, not that OF
maid-servant. On this understanding i
accepted you. Yet, if your circumstance
ever become such as to require it, | shall
not hesitate moment to conform myself
to them I only object to assuming bur-
den which, from your own account, appears
to be quite needless am very willing to
superintend the household arrangements, as
l consider that duty which deyolves upon
me as your wife.
II have listened to your arguments, Mrs
Flint, and they are weak. They will moi
weigh with me, madam
"It is to be regretted.
''The first Mrs. Flint better understood
her duties as wife, he returned, excited
ly; but it is quite useless to discuss the
point with you, madam. However, this
day week Mrs Burns leaves us, and [ ex.
pect you to assume her duties.