The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-04-14
4 400 OsTi1R-P ECkE1D WIFE.
A Domestic Drama in ''Puueh
80 Year Ago.
SCENE /.

toward his little spouse
Biddv.-''Good mornir z, my DEAR
o. G.. -''Mornin2, madam; quite
enjoying yourself, madame of course, you
are not aware Of the fact that have been
up more than an hour, and have not yet
eaten mouthfuI Is this what | married
yo1l for, madam? Gives her pointed
salute on the ankle Where are your do
me-tic qualities madam? Llinprlnas =
mark Of affection on Che top of her head
Where is your smile of welcome when you
saw me getting off The fence? l watched
Won, madam. Where was your tender
female soliciu1e when you beheld me
locking weakly for want of little nour-
ishment? Where repeat is my break
fast? Cock-a-doodle-d0" -
Bddy (meekly) "IIave worm, Gear?
O. G. Esq, (solemnly)-"l wll.'
SCENE II.
Mrs. Biddy Chanticleer lays her first
egg and has invited two or three female
friends to cackle, O. c., Esq, being alb
sent.
Mrs. Biddy-"Cut' cut, cut, cut-a-a cut,
cut-a-a-a- a-cut!
Mrs. Payt!ett--"Qaa, qua, qua, eut-a-a
cut?''
Mrs. enfeather-"Cluck, cluck, qua,
qua, qua, cut, cut. cut-a-a-cut. Is inter
rupted by the sudden appearance Of o. e.,
Esq, who has just returned from stag
party
O. G., Esq -"Cocka-doOdle-do: Now
my patience be vouchsafed me to ask OF
you, madame, what does all this mean
Here am | returning, careWorn and eH-
hausted, from the excitements and temp
tati0ns of a delu<ive world, expecting to
find repose and peace in the quiet OF the
domestic nest, instead of which discover
you in the midst of riot and dissipation.
Madame, insult not my penetration by de
nying i'll affirm that you are having a
party!'
Mrs. Biddy OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES at
all, my dear; at least, that is, my friend,
were just going by, and stopped in quite
accidentally, and so, for you sre, my dear
I've laid an egg-rut. cnt. cut-a-c---that Is
at least. yes, sir. we've laid an eg&"'
Three female npighbors simultaneously
Gut cnt, cut, cuf-a-a-a-cur!"
O. c. E-q., (maje>tirally) "Peoca.
hens! Madame, what does all this cack-
ling folly mpan?"
(Exeunt hens in indignation)
''Mrs. B. c., it has become necessary, at
this stage of our matrimonial career, thai
/ should state, in mild bat uunistaha able
terms, my opinions regarding The appro-
pirate sphere and duties of henhood:
First selt-levotion ''It has been the
decision of all roosiers-kind for ages, and
therefore cannot be denied, that the
crowning virtue of the hen character il
disinterestedness. A true hen should be
patient, self-forgetful, obedent, tenderly
solicitous OF her husbands little wants, de
lighting wholly and solely in the e ~ac4fu
and pleasant duties that cluster round tn,
domestic nest. On the contrary, | fint
you thinking only how to crafty your owl
playing Gas might naturally be expected
some little sense of loneliness and nelan
choly at your husbands absence; | rerurl
from visit Of nearly u hours, and tint
you literally rejoicing! Madame, ask 0
you, is this true henhood?"
Second-''A retiring position, delicate
shrinking from contact with the coarse anC
unsympathzing world, an exclusive in
difference to all without the sacred crcl
of the domestic nest. On the contrary,
find you gaddi1g among the other hens Q
the yard, making appointments, sendin!
invitations. Again, | ask of you, mad
anne, is this true hcnhood?
Third" Freedom from curiosity.
true hen never eyinces the slightest inter
est in the affairs of her neighbors, scareel
in her own; she never inquiries concern
husband, being perfectly assured that
wherever he be, and however appearance
at times may tell against him, he is eve
acting with a view to the welfare Of tn
domestic nest.
Son the contrary, what do | find to
the truth in regard to yourself? Not
rooster raises his voice within half a mil
of the yard, but you are able to name him
not hen lays an egg but you begin
cackle."
Mrs. Biddy, (meekly)--sI have laid a
egg! Cut cut cut-a-a-a. No | meal