The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1882-12-02
WIFE DISCIPLINE.

WIFE DlSClfLkNE.
There had been orange blp pssoms, and
white satin, and wedding ring: turkey,
champagne, and emotion. and the newly
breveted Mrs. Arthur Boabdil, nee
Thompson, was stepping nto the car
riage in a travelling suit (the loveliest
thing, ashes of roses, evef to her boots,
as she said), when Aunt Baker, one of
your women with feaTfully common
sense views, and NEUTRAL ability to
make other peoples preserves, and
nurse their children, stepped up to her.
Goodbye, Amina. When the honey
moon is over will come and see YOU
We will give the new-made matron's
answer in her own words, taking them
from letter of twenty pages, written to
her bosom friend, Lizzie Waylie:
Imagine my feelings, darling I
couldn't offend Aunt Baker, you know,
because what with mammals nerves, and
our wretched seamstress, if it hadn't
been for her I don't know how my ward
robe eyer would have been finished; for
of course I could do nothing-but /
looked my Indignation, and answered in
the words of that dear, delightful Mr..
Rochester, in Jane Eyre Then you
will never come at all, Aunt Baker, for
it will shine over our graves Would
you believe it, Lizzie, darling! Aunt
Baker smiled, that dreadful smile of
hers, as much as to say; Go on, poor
butterfly, till you scorch your wings
just as if / was child, instead of mar
ried woman, and wasn't positively sure
that Arthur and 1 couldn't love each
other more than we do, and that there
wasn't any possibility OF change. I
would far rather she had boxed my ears;
but, of course, you know, couldn't do
anything, only say: Goodbye, Aunt
Baker, as sweetly as could, and drive
away. I wish she hadn't smiled though,
she has such an uncomfortable way of
being always in the right. Her words
have been perfect Mordecais in the gate
of my palace of pleasures. They have
spoiled all my enjoyments, and, Lizzie,
dear, know it's all nonsense, but do
you think our honeymoon will ever
wane?'
Miss Lizzie Waylie received this let
ter while Mrs. Boabdil was on her bri-
dial tour. In the course of time, Mr..
and Mrs. Boabdil settled themselves in a
cottage short distance up the Hudson,
but no more treble stamped envelopes
reached Miss Lizzie, though three months
had elapsed, when Mr.. Boabdil pushed
back his coffee cup, and looked severely
at poor little Mrs. Boabdil, shaking be-
hind the urn, at the other end of the
table
"Amina, y he said, with emphasis,
"this cannot last I have pointed out to
you the fact that our whole future hap
piness is at stake. have represented to
you that trifes are the bridges from one
phase of happiness to another. I have
devoted my time and energies to the ar
duous task of forming your character.
We now have been married three
months, and I still find you untracta-
BILE, unconvinced, obstinate; and I say
again, this cannot last"
Mrs. Boabdil dropped her bread and
butter, and raised her handkerchief to
her eyes. Mr.. Boabdil, who was watch
ing her, pushed back his chair and took
his stand on the hearthrug, with his
back to the mantel and his hands in his
pockets.
'If,I only knew how to suit you,' -
shifted Mrs. Boabdil.
Is there anything easier?" he deman-
ded, severely. ST ask you simply for
rare steak and well made coffee. It is
brought on actually brown. and I find
there are four tablepoonfuls of coffee
used instead of three, as I ordered.
Four, Mrs. Boabdil and heaped up at
that"
tsButthis urn, that you will use is of
no value"
''And why not, madam? An I not
master of my own house? If / choose to
use it, is not that quite sufficient? Things
are getting down to very fine point. I
think"
:'T do not mean that. I only wish to
say
''Oh! quarreling are you? Very
we'll, madam. You know my mind on
that point perfectly. I have always said
that if discussions must arise between
my wife and myself, the sooner we part
the better. You will order Mary to get
out my trunk and see that it is packed
by three o'c ock this afternoon. IImust
have peace, at whatever cost it is OBJ
tanned"
As SINCE the first week of their return,
the said trunk had been brought down
regularly from its resting place in the
attic, three times week, bureau drawers
revolutionized, pantaloons and cravats
slowed away with an emphasis, and
John ordered to be in readiness to carry
It TO the depot at three o'clock, apparent
ly for the sole purpose of keeping Mrs.
Bcabdil in Mysteries, and her pocket
handkerchief in the wash; as Mr.. Boab.
dill had never yet spent night from
home, it might have been imagined that
she would receive the announcement
with tolerable composure; but whatever
energy of purpose or force of character
were destined to develop themselves in
Mrs. Amina Boabdail, nee Thompson,
she was at present only little dove
eyed. peach checked. cotton-wool-and-
wax sort of woman, with strong. ten
dency to tears and cambria handker-
chiefs--ef which latter resources she i'm
mediately availed herself.
''Another of your pernicious habits,
madam" commented Mr.. Boabdil, Sc,
crstly hugging himself with delight al
the effect of his determined measures
when will you ever have any irmnessi
How often shall be obliged to remind
you that the days OF your babyhood are
passed, and that you are, or ought to be
q womanf"