He inherited, however,
but little of the martial character of his ancestors. I have
observed that he was a simple good-natured man; he was, moreover, a
kind neighbor, and an obedient hen-pecked husband. Indeed, to the
latter circumstance might be owing that meekness of spirit which
gained him such universal popularity; for those men are most apt to be
obsequious and conciliating abroad, who are under the discipline of
shrews at home. Their tempers, doubtless, are rendered pliant and
malleable in the fiery furnace of domestic tribulation; and a
curtain lecture is worth all the sermons in the world for teaching the
virtues of patience and long-suffering. A termagant wife may,
therefore, in some respects, be considered a tolerable blessing; and
if so, Rip Van Winkle was thrice blessed.
Certain it is, that he was a great favorite among all the good wives
of the village, who, as usual, with the amiable sex, took his part
in all family squabbles; and never failed, whenever they talked
those matters over in their evening gossipings, to lay all the blame
on Dame Van Winkle. The children of the village, too, would shout with
joy whenever he approached.
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