The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-10-03
The Master of the House.

Is "Benedick, the married man, ever
really the master of his own house? "A
pretty question that to put to an American
sovereign p says some 'head OF family
who considers himself the Alpha and
Omega of the home department. "Of
course. there are millions of married men
who are masters of their own houses, and
of that grand sum total | am an integral
part.
Bravely retorted. But "a ton is not
argument. Millions of Benz Ks believe
themselves to be absolute und .helr own
roof-trees: but, nevertheless, tn truth Is
that as a rule. women reign. T. major
ity of 'adies paramount govern gently,
so gently indeed, that the yoke is unfelt.
Xantippe was fool as well as terma-
cant. She could have twisted Socrates
round her finger with much less trouble
than she took to COW his "better part of
man"
There is IA petticoat government OF
smiles, another petticoat government OF
tears and another Of reason. Some wives
queen it over their husband hearts, others
over their heads and two or three Of the most
absolute petticoat mOnarchs We have ever
known have been undemonstrative as stat
ues. The art of controlling by seeming to
submit is a species of finesse thoroughly
understood by many of the weaker vessels,
and perhaps no man is more happy than
he who obeys wise and good wifes will,
thinking he exercises his own. Never
undeceive such one; it is the greatest I'M
kindness you can do him.
1t was thought at one time that the
Turks were supreme lords of their own
households They are so in law, but not
in fact. Travellers who have recently been
among them taking notes assure us that
some of the Ottoman grandees are terribly
henpecked by their Lights of the Harem
The Grand Seignor, though Brother OF
the Sun" often gets snubbed, it is said, by
some of the bright particular stars Of the
connubial armament, and occasionally by
those lesser lights of loves galaxy-thC
odaisques. Thus has it been since
the days of Solomon (whose domestic
troubles are more than limited at in hi'
writings, and thus will it be until the enc
of time
There is a story of Il French priest oil
the olden time which neatly illustrates the
general principle here set forth. The good
father fancied that the law laid down by
st. Paul touching the obedience of wives
to husbands was obligatory on the former
and that + contravene it was Il heinous sin
In order to encourage its observance he on
day offered to give his entire crop Of peas
Il very fine one, to any married man amons
his parishioners who could prove that he
was not under subsection TO his spouse
Scores of applicants for the prize appear
ed, but they all broke down under thu
priests searching cross examinations.
At length, however, burly, surly la
borer, who was admitted by everybody L
be a thoroughgoing domestic tyrant, lai'
claim to the reward, and made out his cas-
to the satisfaction of the priest.
"Well,' said the good father, "lm gla,
to know that have one man in my con
gregation who is master in his own house
Call to morrow for your peas
The next day the fellow went to th
priests house with IA small sack, which h
began to fill.
CHATS too small" observed the prizes
.'haVe you not larger one?"
"Well, yes, have, replied the peasant
sulkily, "but you see my wife wouldn't Ii
me bring it"
"Aha p cried the cure, ''let my pea.
alone-let my peas alone; you're only
slave like the rest =