Year: 1873

The Gray Marc the better Horse.
In answer to a correspondent who asks
the origin Of the above proverb. the New
York Observer gives the following story:
This we'll known proverbial saying Origina-
ted from the following circumstances: A
gentleman of 4 certain county in England,
having married young lady OF considerable
fortune, and at the same time possessed OF
MANY other charms, he found not long alter
marriage that she Was OF high, dOmineer-


my temper, always contcnding to be mistress
both OF him and his family; therefore he
Accordingly he waited upon her father, and
told him that he found his daughter of such
a temper that he was heartily Of her, and if
he would take her home he would return
every penny of her fortune.


The old gentleman, having inquired into
the cause OF her complaint, asked him why
he should be more disquieted at it than any
other married man, since it was the common
scase with them all, and consequently, no
more than he might have expected when be
entered into the married state. The young
gentleman desired to be excused if he said he
was SO far from giving his assent to this as
scrtion that he thought himself more unhap-
by than any other man, as his wife had a
spirit no way to be quelled, and most certain
ly no man who had sense of right or wrong
could ever submit to be governed by his wife.
''Son," said the old man, ''you are but little
acquainted with the world if you do not
know that all women govern their husbands,
though not all, indeed, by the same method
however, to end all disputes between us,
will put what have said upon this proof, if
you are willing to try it.


GsT ha five hnrSp2 in my stable. Won shall
harness those to a cart, in which shall put
hundred eggs and if, in passing through
the county, and making strict inquiry into
the truth or falsehood of my assertion, and
leaving horse at the house Of every man who
Is master of his family himself, and an egg


where the wife governs, you shall find your
eggs gone before your horse, l hope that you
Will then think your own case not uncom-
mon, but will be contented to 80 home and
look upon your own wife as no worse than
her neighbors. If, on the other hand, your
horses are gone first, will take my daughter
home again and you shall keep her fortune


This proposal was too advantageous to be
rejected. Our young married man therefore
set out with great eagerness to get rid, as he
thought, of his horses and his wife. AT the
first house he came to he heard a woman
with shrill and angry voice call to her hus-





you may be sure, without making any further
inquiry At the next house he met with
something of the same kind, and at every
house, in short, until his eggs were almost
gone, when he arrived at the seat of gen.
tleman of family and figure in the country.
He knockeda the door, and inquiring for the
master of the house was told by servant
that his master was not stirring, but if he
pleased to walk in his lady was in the parlor.


The lady with great complaisance desired
him to be seated, and said if his business was
urgent she would awake her husband, but
had much rather not disturb him. "Why,
really madame said he, "my business is
only to ask question, which you can re-
solve as well as your husband, if you will be
ingenious with me; you will doubtless think
it odd, and it may be deemed impolite for
any one, much more stranger, to ask such
question but as a wager depends upon it,
and it may be some advantage to yourself to
declare the truth to me, l hope these consider
ations will plead my excuse. 1t is madam,
my desire to be informed whether you gov
ern your husband, or he rules over you"
"Indeed, SIR replied the lady, 'this ques-
ton is somewhat odd; l think no one ought
make no scrupe to say that am always
proud to obey my husband in all things: but
if woman's own word is to be suspected
in such case, let him answer for me, for
here he comes"


The gentleman at that time entering the
room, and after some apologies being made
acqua inted with the business, confirmed
every word his obedient wife had reported
in own favor, upon which he requested to
choose which horse in the team he liked
best, and except of it as present


A black gelding struck the fancy of the
gentleman most, but the lady desired he
would choose the gray mare, which she
thought would be very fit for her side saddle;
her husband gave substantial reasons why
the black horse would be the most useful to
them, but madam still persisted in her claim
to the gray mare. 'What," said she, land
will you not take her then? But say you
shall, for am sure the gray mare is the bet
ter horse" ''Well, my dear" replied the
husband, S'if it must be So ''You must
take an egg" replied the gentleman carter,
"and must take all my horses back again
and endeavor to live happy with my wife. "


In the Safe mine, New York Canyon, says
the Eureka Sentinel, are found curious accre-
s,nhn AnA Sv,c