A MODEL MARRIED MAN.
Cobbett says that for two years after his marriage he retained his disposition to flirt with pretty women; but at last his wife—probably having lost all hope of his reforming himself—gently tapped him upon the arm, and remarked—
“Don’t do that. I do not like it.”
Cobbett says:—“That was quite enough. I had never thought on the subject before; one hair of her head was more dear to me than all other women in the world; and this I knew that she knew; but now I saw that this was not all that she had a right to from me.I saw that she had the further claim upon me that I should abstain from everything that might induce others to believe that there was any other woman for whom, even if I were at liberty, I had any affection.”
Now I suppose most women, on reading that, would roll up their eyes and think unutterable things of Mr. Cobbett! But, hadIborne his musical name, and had that fine speech been addressed to me, I should immediately have dismissed the—house-maid!
It is not in any masculine to get on his knees that way, without a motive! I tell you that man was a humbug! overshot the mark, entirely; promised ten times as much as a sinful masculine could ever perform. If he had said abouta quarter partof that, you might have believed him. His affection for Mrs. Cobbett was skin-deep. He would have flirted with every one of you, the minute her back was turned, to the end of the electrical chapter!
A man who is magnetized as he ought to be, don’t waste his precious time making such long-winded, sentimental speeches. You never need concern yourself, when such a glib tongue makes love to you. Go on with your knitting;he’s convalescent! getting better of his complaint fast. Now mind what I tell you; that Cobbett was a humbug!