Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-06-06
DAILY EVENING STAR.
A WOMAN'S WANTS.

young husband, taking his seat cozilv
the rocking chair, as the things were r,
moved. The fire glowing in the ,ate r,
vealed pretty, neatly furnished sitt;nt
room, with all the appliances of comfor
The fatiguing business of the dav wa
over, and he sat enjoying what he ha
all day been anticipating, the delights {
his own fireside. His pretty wife, E.
ther, took her work and sat down by th
table.
at is pleasant to have home one
own, he again said, taking satisfacto
ry survey Of his little quarters. Th
cold rain beat against the windows, an,
he felt really grateful for all his presen
comforts.
Now if we only had piano." ex
claimed the wife.
"Give me the music of your own swee
voice before all the pianos in creation,
he declared, complimently, besides Ger
tain secret disappointment, that his wife :
thankfulness did not happily chime will
his own.
"Well, but we want one for our friends,
said Esther.
LET our friends come to see us, and
not to hear piano." exclaimed the hus.
band.
but, George, everybody has a piano,
now-a-days-we don't 60 anywhere with
out seeing a piano." persisted the wife.
And yet don't know what we want
one for-you will have no time to play on
one, and don't want to hear it,
why, they are so fashionable-I think
our room looks nearly naked without
one."
Il think it looks just right"
4 think it looks very naked-we want
piano shockingly," persisted Esther,
emphatically.
The husband rocked violently.
Your lamp smokes, my dear" said he
after long pause.
"When are you going to get an astral
lamp? / have told you a dozen times
how much me needed one," said Esther.
pettishly.
"Those are very pretty lamps-I never
can see by an astral lamp" said her hus-
band. "These lamps are the prettiest of
the kind | ever saw-they were bought
in Boston"
But, George, l do not think our room
is complete without an astral lamp" said
Esther, sharply, " They are so fashiona-
BILE Why, the Morgans and the Millers.
and many might mention, all have them:
I'm sure we ought to"
1--WE ought to, if we take pattern by
other peoples expenses, and | don't see
any reason in that
awe want to live as well as others"
said Esther.
Owe want to live within our means,
Esther" exclaimed George.
"I am sure we can afford it as we'll as
the Morgans, and Millers, and Thorns-
we do not wish to be mean.''
Georges cheek crimsoned.
"Mean | am not mean 2" he cried
angrily.
Then we do not wish to appear so,"
said the wife. 'sTo complete this room,
and make it look like other peoples we
want piano and an astral lamp"
q We want-we want muttered the
husband, 'sthere's no satisfying woman's
wants, do what you may" and he alb
ruptly left the room.
How many husbands are in similar
lilemma How many houses and hus-
bands are rendered uncomfortable by the
constant dissatisfaction of wife, with
present comforts and present provisions
How many bright prospects for business
have ended in bankruptcy and ruin, in
order to satisfy this secret hankering
after fashionable necessariese Could the
real cause of many failures be known, it
would be found to result from useless ex-
penditure at home-expenses to answer
the demand Of fashion, and "what will
people think"
My wife has made my fortune" said
a gentleman Of great possession, "by her
thrift, prudence, and cheerlulness when |
was Just beginning"
"And mine has lost my fortune, said
his companion, "by useless extravaganza
and repining when was doing we'll"
What a world does this open to the in
fluence which a wife possesses over the
future prosperity of her family! Let the
wife know her influence, and try to use
it wisely and well.
Be satisfied to commence of small
scale. 1t is too common for young house
keepers to begin where their mothers
ended. Buy all that is necessary to work
skilfully with; adorn your house with all
that will render it comfortable. Do not
look at richer homes, and covet their
costly furniture. Ifsecret dissatisfaction
is about to spring up, 60 step further,
and visit the homes of the suffering poor;
behold dark, cheerless apartments, in
sufficient clothing, and absence of all the
comforts and refinements of social life,
and then return to your own with a joy
full spirit. You will then be prepared to
meet your husband with grateful heart,
and be ready to appreciate the toll and
selfdenial which he has endured in the
business world, to surround you with the
delights of home; and you will be ready
to cooperate cheerfully with him in so ar
ranging your expenses, thathis mind will
not constantly be harassed with fears
lest his family expenditures may encroach
upon public payments. independent,
young housekeeper.