Year: 1871

MafLlnp speed was q bachelor. He had
backed aud filled, and hesitated and doubted
about entering upon the "blissful estate" oi
matrimony, until the FIRE of youthful passion
was all spent, and matrinony had become a
problem to him as dry and formal as one in old
Walsh's Arithmetic; to be ciphered out for an
answer, rs much rs that proposition about car.
rying the fox, goose and bag of corn across the
creek, that everybody "problembly" remem-
ince of hearts altogether, and went to examin-
ing heads, to ascertain the genealogical devel.
opments of woman's fitness for the position
of wife to Martin Speed. Esq. as letters
came addressed to him ut the Speedwell post.
Office. The town of Speedwell was named for
an ancestor of his, and boasted of several
thousands of inhabitants; and as it was q fac
tory place, it had goodly share of cookbook
ing marriageable girls.


Martin studied CGmbe aud Spurzheim and
Gall, and grew bitter as disappointment saw
him enter his forty-first year bachelor. He
looked back on the past, and saw the chances
he had neglected, and the happiness of those
who had started with him, and were now portly
people, the heads and fronts of families and
the delicate damsels be had sighted, respected
mothers IN Israel, and exemplary and amiable
wives. He sought every opportunity for ex-
amining the heads of such as would submit
themselves TO his hand with hope of catching
the bachelor; for they knew his weakness,
and he was wellto-do and an eligible match.
But in vain he looked for perfection. The
bumps would not be arranged as he wished
them. If be took liking TO pretty face,
phrcnology Immediately gave it the lie straight.
and he ut once avoided IL.


1t was at this juncture that biographical
lecturer--and grave professor in that science
came to Speedwell, and gave series Of exhi.
bitions These Martin attended. aud biology
at once became an intensity" with him-a
" new emotion" He attended all the exhibi-
tions; saw men personate roosters and crow;
hens aud scratch; shiyer with cold or burn
with heat at the will of the operator; saw a
miser endeavor 10 clutch an eagle held out to
him while under the influence Of the wonder
ful spell. and the tongue of woman stilled
who for twenty years had been the pest of
Speedwell by her loquacity.


THE put the mind of Martin on new track.
He sold his old chronological works and de-
voted himself 10 the study of the wonderful
science through which such marvels were per-
formed The professor was fine teacher, and
Martin placed himself under his tuition. He
succeeded admirably. In short time be sur.





powers in influencing the susceptible among
his weak brethren aud sisters.


lie formed resolution to himself, that
through this means he would gain a wife.
Could he find one that his science could control
-oue that at glance he could transfix like
the man who was stopped by the mesmerizer
half way down, rs he was falling from the
roof Of house-he would marry her; for the
reason, dear reader, that Martin had not mar.
ried was that he had heard of wives W, airing
the authority over their lords--and he was
timld man.


In this new science he saw security, and
sedulously sought for one of the right descrip.
ton. At every party where he was invited.
at every sewing circle, at every kaot of factory
girls 10 which he mingled IN the summer even
ings, he tried his art, but without success. At
last, when on the point of despairing, accident
gave what he had failed Of obtaining by earn.
est seeking


A widow-dangerous to bacheloric peace, as
edged tools are 10 the careless hands Of the
experienced-came 10 the village on visit.
The weeds had not been removed that marked
her bereavement, aud the merest touch Of mel.
ancholly rested on her brow, but her eye was
laughing, and sweet curl strayed away aud
lay like chsseled eddy upon the marble of her
cheek. She had jewel on her hand, and the
black dress she wore was cut jadicously-the
milliner that cut it had been widow herself,
and knew how tn manage such matters show
lug a beautiful white shoulder, and revealing
bust of rare loveliness.


Martin met the widow at the residence of
friend and liked her. He had never seen so
prepossessing woman, he thought. But she
had buried one husband, and that was rather
n drawback. One visit led to another, the
liking still increasing, until he broached the
subject Of biology, with a wish, fervently felt,
that this might be the woman he sought She
was fully acquainted with it, and in answer to
his question if she was susceptible to its infu.
ence, she replied that she didn't know, but was
willing to have the fact tested. t. sh'


What position for Martin! Seated by her
side on sofa, with her hand laid in his, her
rich dark eyes resting upon his with a look
equal to thE which the Widow Wadman
poured into those Of the unsuspecting Toby in
the stiffness of summer evening. But science
held him secure, and his nerves were as calm
as the summer day Of that evening. By.and.by
the beautiful lids dropped, the head bent gently
forward, and the widow. with q sweet smile
upon her lips, lay fast asleep. Martin could
have shouted Eureka" in his delight at the
discovery. Now his pulse quickened, and he
stopped to kiss the lips that lay unresisting be.
fore him; but he didn't BY the exercise Of
his power, he awakened her, and she was much
surprised at being caught mapping, and blushed
at the strangeness Of it; and blushed more
when Martin told her how he had been tempted,
and how gl0riously he had resisted; and laughed
little when she slapped his cheek with her