The Democratic advocate., 1907-02-01
s Selett Stnrp.
MANAGING A HUSBAND.

him he will make you his slave-take m,
word for it, Miss Atherton.
''Do you think so p said the lady ad
dressed, quietly looking up from her EN-
broidery
think so! | know it. You canno
have forgotten how his first wife faded.
So gentle and lovely, too, as she was, YET
the poor woman never dared say her sou
was her own never! IF she had had differ.
ent husband she would probably have beer
alive today"
"Very likely, Mrs. May
"And yet, knowing all this, you are
going to take her place?''
Major Flint will find me very differ
ent person from his late wife, said Miss
Atherton, composedly. "However, as
do not wish to anticipate sorrow, we will,
if you please, dismiss the subject. y
This was not the first remonstrance Miss
Atherton had received on the subject OF
her approaching marriage, but she hac
made up her mind, it appeared, and Was
now occupied in making preparations to-
the wedding.
What had been said respecting Major
Flint and his first wife was unquestlonahly
true He was domestic tyrant, and,
holding the female understanding in very
slight esteem, considered that the wife
ought in all respects to be subservient tc
the husband will.
His reason for marrying again was prin-
cipallv from the fact that he could find nc
housekeeper who would be sufficiently
subservient to his whims and caprices.
Having lost one after another, he came to
the conclusion that he needed wife, and
soon resolved to tender his hand to Grace
Atherton, who had been warm personal
friend of his last wife We will not anal yze
her motives for accepting his proposal,
tho probably regard for Major Flint s
two helpless little children, who resembled
their mother rather than their father, in
tuenced her as much as any other motive.
However, that might be, the marriage
soon took place, and after brief journey
Miss Atherton returned as Mrs Major
Flint. to take her place as mistress of the
household
Hitherto Major Flint had forbore to
show his hand Now, however that their
married life had fairly begun, he thought
it quite time to do so.
II have given Mrs. Burns week 5
notice" he remarked at the breakfast ia
Bile 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
notice p asked the lady quietly. care
you not satisfied with her?''
s'It is not that, madam" said the major,
deliberately.
"Any difficulty about the wages p
asked his wife, unconcernedly.
''No," said her husband, feeling rather
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,
although she was not a very strong
woman"
did she not die very young? asked
wife No. 2, slipping her coffee composedly.
"Why, yes said the obtuse MIR.
Flint, a little Disconnected ''You know
the young die as we'll as the aged. "
$50 | have heard,'' returned his wife.
Major Flint was good 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 allow my children to remain
where they are, at my mother's S, 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
arrest 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 I consult
you about my arrangements?
Because | may not approve them. y
Mrs. Flint said the major, sit is
your duty to acquiesce in whatever plans
|, as your husband, see fit to form. -
Indeed! I have never taken that
view of the NATTER said Mrs Flint.
Then the sooner you take it the bet
ter, was his reply.
''Do you expect me to perform all the
labor required in this establishment p
Exactly SO, madam. y
II believe you are considered a rich
man, Major FlintY'
IL am so accounted, madam" he re-
piled, complacently.
land you are quite able to hire do
nestle service, are you not 2?
eyes, if it were needful.
"Suppose I say that it is needful?'
II should take the liberty of doubling it,
madam, he replied.
every well, Mr.. Flint, since you
force it upon me, l may as well tell you
first as last, my decision upon this point.
You offered me the position of wife, not
that of maid servant. 1t was this under
standing that I accepted you. Yet, if
your circumstances ever become such as to
require it, 1 shall not hesitate for mo-
ment to conform myself to them. | only
object to assuming burden which, from
your own account, appears to be quite
needless. l am very willing to superin-
tend the household arrangements, as
consider that duty which devolves upon
me as your wife. >
Il have listened to your arguments,
Mrs. Flint, and they are weak. They do
not weigh with me, madam
"That is to be regretted.
1.-THE first Mrs. Flint better understood