Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-11-29
A MODERN PETRUCHIO.

n MODEflN l I'll nUOlllO.
remembered him passing back ana forth
between his room, and chapel, and recitation
at college There was always the same seri-
Gus, injured look, look in which, to those
who knew him best, who understood his &c
centric views and absurd methods, there was
something comicaL
He had been devoted 10 the stage When
a new company came 70 town he would be
found among its audiences from the first to
the last He would rather see bad play
than no play at all; and when he was not at
the theatre, he read plays Notwithstanding
his peculiarities, all OF his set loved him He
was kind hearted, impulsve, generous. His
face was a mirror for his feelings, and no one
ever saw it reflect aught except what was
ingenious THIS was the man l had parted
from, five years before, upon leaving college.
Now he was a new mana new man, and
yet the same old Peter Brown. He was
married He had just entertained me at
dinner The wife, a decided looking little
woman, sat at the board plainly its mistress.
Thare was no wine; and when We left the
table, we all left it together, and without
suspicion Of the odor Of tobacco.
We had chatted perhaps half an hour In
The drawing room, when Peter rose and, sig
haling me TO follow him, led the way up
three flights OF stairs to a little chamber with
but one window. All the furniture it con-
tanned was two easy chairs, a table, and a
cupboard hanging against the wall. The
door closed, Peter drew a long sigh. Then
he went 10 the cupboard and took out a
bottle, some glasses, and a box Of cigars.
'Come, Peter" said, lighting a weed he
gave me, and throwing myself back in the
cushions, tell me all about it,
About whatP
Il see that conviviality is restricted in
your house | am curious TO know why"
His expression was sad
Madam objectsf" queried
Madam objects" He cast a rueful glance
around the apartment
And like good husband you submit"
YES; i submit"
"And gracefullyr
There was some hesitation.
My submission was not exactly graceful,
originally
well. tell me about it."
he Lit his cigar and began TO relate an at
tempt which for originality and ingenuity
bad never been equaled by any OF his ex-
tremely remarkable freaks while in college.
You remember how fond used TO be of the
theatrei Well, I've got over that, but it took
terrible experience to cure me. OF all the
plays ever put on the stage my favorite used
TO be 1.-THE Tanning Of the Shrewn To me,
Petruchio's method Of curing his wifes tenn
per, by feigning TO be more violent than she,
was a model OF cleverness, and before was
old enough TO have a wife | vowed that, If
she should he shrew, | would be a Petruchio.
/ first met my wife at a tennis party. She
was my partner, and looked very pretty in a
loose tennis jacket, a striped shirt, and a
jaunty cap. With me it was one of those
cas-s when mans heart flies right out OF his
bosom like a tennis ball from a racket and
lights on the girl. We played very well to-
gether, and we're neck and neck with our op-
ponents near the end OF the game, when a
foul ball was served to my partner, which she
sent back
That's foul!n exclaimed.
"What do you meanr she asked sharply.
alt fell out of the court"
mo such thing
- II beg pardon" / replied, politely; lit
looked 50 to men
I'm be obliged IL you'll play your own
game and let me play mine,n she returned
angrily.
Il beg pardon touched my cap apollo
y
There was something about the harefaced
assurance and dictatorial manner OF the pro-
ceeding that attracted my attention Some
how | became daznled by the girls angry
eyes. ] could see nothing but pretty face,
petite figure, a striped shirt and jaunty
cap, went away from the tennis party with
the little termsgant buzzing about in my
thoughts like humble bee among the holly
hooks. secured an introduction to her fathers
house; quarreled with her at nv first call;
made it up on the second by retracting every
thing had said; found myself cut by her a
few days after; apologized for something |
had not done; tried in every way / could
think Of to please her, and finally found my
self madly in love with girl who promised,
IL should win her. To make my life a pande-
monium.
went on a trip TO be gone a month, to try
and forget her, but returned in a week thor
oughly convinced that couldn't get on with
out her. proposed. She would probably
have refused me had not her father told her
that be wouldn't have a man for a son-in-law
who ''languished under such a theatrical
drawl" That settled it. was accepted
There was nothing for me but a life OF
misery with q stubborn, quarrelsome woman
At least, SO it seemed to me. No man could
live In peace with her unless he could break
her. But could do thisl ! thought Of Petru-
chic, and sat down and read over The Tam
ing Of the ShreW- for the hundredth time. |
noticed that Petruchio first got the Lady into
his power and then commenced his training
] resolved to be married at once.
The next day went TO my lady love and
told her that, owing to business engagements
which would require my absence, it would be
impossible for me to claim her within a yesr
She informed me that, unless could find it
convenient 10 claim her the next week. /
could look elsewhere for n partner had
scored one point / accepted the terms and
we were married.
We went through the honeymoon pleas
antly, for determined not TO cross her in
anything waiting till we should be comfort
ably settled at home in the house her father
had given her. In the same street in which hs
lived, and only a few blocks away. Then
proposed 70 commence a modern instance Of
the tanning OF shrew.
The honeymoon ended and We arrived at
homs. / had hired the cook myself and, by
promising large reward, had secured her TO
my plan. II was understood that she was not
TO give my wife food without my permission.
didn't rely much on this part Of the pro-
gramms-to starve Der into subrnission-but
] thought I'd try it with the other things.
We sat down TO our first dinner at home.
My wife sat opposite me, looking So pretty,
% exceptionally good natured, that my heart
almost failed me. After all, wouldn't it be
better TO wait until she should provoke met
No, had laid the plan and would carry it
out. All our future depended upon it. The
servant placed before me q smoking joint. /
took mp the carving knife and whetted it on
the steel savasely. Ny heart beat like ket-
tie drum. Somehow 1t struck me that was
shout TO make Il fool Of myself; but thought
again Of all that was at Sat, a.. jegan my
training
Jane burst out suddenly, addressing the
servant, whats the matter with this msatTp
Nothing, sir, that l know of" Jane an-
swered, opening her eyes
"The meat Is burned" exclaimed. feign-
ing anger which didn't feel 'Jaksftaway.p
To say that my wife was aston4.hed wouldn't
alone indicate her feelings or her appearance
She turned deadly pale
Take IL away" ] repeated.
By this time my wife had partially re-
covered her equanimity. / expected every
-