Year: 1870







here in my mind, will be signed in an in
stant."


This speesh was understood in moment
by Mrs. Jean Todd. The manner Of her
husband previous to the entry Of the deacon
the deacon's visit 80 soon after the meet
ing, bis speech, his wink, and all together
satisfied her that her husband was inclined
to sign the bill, and that they had laid their
heads together to accomplish their object by
the maneuvre to which they had thus re-
sorted. Her pride and honesty made her
despise these underhand and crooked
schemes but her prudence prevented her
from showing either her penetration or her
feelings There was one thing, however,
which she was determined not to counter
ance. She knew that Deacon Waldie
desPised, and, indeed, openlE and ut all
times, and often in her own presence, de-
nounced the husband who allowed himself
to be dictated to b" his wife; and now be
was in the very act Of proving that her hus-
band was worthy of that announcement,
and that she herself was the individual Who,
by exercising authority over her husban&
had degraded him, and rendered him the
subject Of the deacon's scorn. This hurt
her beyond bearing; but she was determined
that she should not recognise this imputed
authority. At the same time, she could
not allow her husband to be ruined and
the question was, how she should act in
these trying circumstances ? Her quick
mind was soon at work. For some time
she contrived to prevent an awkward
silence from sitting down upon them and
producing embarrassment and this she &C
complished by putting a few insignificant
questions to the deacon regarding bis father
in-law, while she was celebrating with her
self what she was to do, and how she was to
escape from the dilemma in which she was
situated.


In the first place, she caught her bus
bands eye, through which the charm Of her
authority could generally be very easily
sent. She endeavored to retain his glance,
and to show that she was decidedly opposed
to this scheme, and saw through al it's bear
ings. Without altogether losing this hold
of Andrew, she directed prudent and eau
tious speech to the ears of the deacon.


I Wilma affect, Mr.. Deacon Waldie, "
said she, notwithstanding bae often
heard yer sentiments on the subject O. the
authority O wives-I Wilma affect either to
be ignorant O. my husbands affairs, or to
be careless O. what concerns bath him and
me. will say further, that I dinna hesi-
tate to gle him guild advice when / think
be requires it; for out O many counsellors
comes wisdom and, as Solomon says,
every purpose is established by counsel.
Though a good wife, says the same wise
man, layeth her hands to the spindle, and
her hands holdeth the distaff,' her business
doesna finish there; for be adds, that the
heart O. her husband doth safely trust in
her, 50 that be shall have no fear O. spoil
But there's limit to wife's interference.
You say my husband has already declared
his opinion" Cooking at Andrew -" why
then should be asked to overturn the re-
solution O. his ain mind and Judgment II
my advice had been asked in time, it would
hae been given but Gamma think O. en-
deavorin TO overrule my master, when 'ance
his mind is made up and bis resolution
fixed"


She rose as she finished this iudicious
speech, and left the room, kindly biding the
deacon goodnight. Both the men were
surprised. The deacon was chagrined. The
boxmaster was left in great doubt and per-
plexity. Both had great cause for the
first was caught in his own snare, and the
latter had had thrown upon him a super
abundance Of power and authority in form
ing his own judgments that he never got
awarded 10 him before. The dame had ieft
the matter in the hands Of the bormaster.
That was great point gained and be set
about to convince Andrew that he was left
at liberty to do as be chose. But the
worthy boxmaster bad very great doubts
and scruples upon the subject, and wished
to follow Mrs. Jean to consult her in private.
To this again the deacon could not give bis
consent; but continued to pour into the
ears Of the irresolute boxmaster all the ~.
guments he could muster, to satisfy him
that the construction he had put upon Mn.
Jean Todd's speech was favorable to the ex-
ercise Of his liberty, at least in this case.
The position was scarcely denied by An
drew but be could not get out Of bis mind
the expression Of bis wife's eye. He bad
read in it a denial and reproof At the
same time, he could not reconcile il with her
speech, which was entirely different from
anything of the kind he had ever witnessed.
Her opinions were always ready and de-
cided and he never saw her shrink from
declaring a difference of sentiment, when
she entertained an opinion different from
his Why, then, did she in this instance
depart from her ordinary course 2 The
question was difficult to answer It seemed
that she did actually 10 manner leave it to
himself. The deacon seemed to be right in
his construction and his arguments were
almost unanswerable.


TO DE CONTINUED.