Year: 1860

Marmaduke Mellen was devoutly thank
ful that he was man. Entertaining, as
he did, an idea that woman was vastly
inferior, Intellectually, he felt that he had
reason to be SO. Perhaps, if he had
sisters, his sentiments might have been
modified, but Marmaduke was an only
child, and the indulgence which WAS law
ished upon him, in consequence, doubtless
led him to think himself Of more conse-
quence, than, perhaps, others might con-
slider rightfully his due.


Marmaduke married at suitable age.
His wife was a mild, inoffensive sor. of
woman, who would as soon thought of
chopping her own head of, as of disre-
garding command of her l;ege lord.
Her submissiveness strengthened in Mar
maduke the idea of mans superiority to
woman. I'LL.


Accustomed to have bis slightest wish
regarded as law, he unconsciously acquired
a certain degree of imperiousness, which,
besides striking into the heart of his un-
fortunate wife, had the effect of making
him generally unpopular, and caused him





as sort of modern Blue Beard.


All things have an end, and so it was
with the life of Mrs. Marmaduke Mellen.
Poor woman! Her life had been far from
a happy one. Meekly and uncomplainingly,
she had walked through life, yielding in
all things to the strong will Of her despotic
husband. Ungrudgingly she had devoted
herself to his service. She now took the
liberty to die-the only thing, it may be
said, during the whole course of her we'd
ded life, which she had ventured to do
without his permission.


Mr. Mellen missed his wife. It would
have been strange if be had not. He
began to feel that she had been far more
necessary to his comfort than he supposed.
He hired housekeeper, but found that she
was far from supplying the place of his
deceased wife. Besides being a house.
keeper, he did not feel at liberty to order
her about as authoritatively as if she were
his WIFE


Under these circumstances, it was not
strange that Mr.. Mellen should think of
taking to himself second partner. He
pondered for long time on the important
question. On whom, of all the marriage
able ladies of bis acquaintance, should he
bestow the honor of his hand?
This was weighty question, and he felt
it to be SO. He pondered long and
anxiously. His anxiety however, did not
proceed from any apprehension of rejection,
in whatever quarter he might pay his
addresses. That idea never crossed his
mind. 1t was rather that of one, having a
variety of articles presented for bis accept
ance, is puzzled to decide of which te
| make choice.


At length he decided upon addressing
Mrs. Kent, widow who had lately moved
into the ncighborhood. Of Mrs. Kent
personally. he knew little, except that she
had moderate property, left her by hsl
| husband.


Having once made up his mind, he pro
ceeded. with promptness worthy of
Napoleon, and put his plan into execution
With the air of one conferring favor
he laid his proposal before the fortunate
lady whom he had selected as the recipient
| of his addresses.


Mrs. Kent took the matter very coolly
She requested time for consideration.
Mr.. Marmaduke Mellen was somweha
surprised that any lady should require
time to consider such brilliant proposal
However. as he felt quite easy about tn
ultimate answer, he bowed acquiescence
informing the lady that he would wat
upon her that day week


Mrs. Kent was not ignorant of Marina
dukes imperious character She coul,
not help hearing what was topic of gen
eral remark. She well knew that tn