Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-11-10
MiisttIIauu,
THE WIFE'S INFLUENCE
A CONTRAST,

Il
removed. The FIRE glowingin the CRATE,
revealed n pretty neatly furnished sit
ting room. with all the appliances Of
comfort. The fatiguing business Of
the day was over. and he sat enjoying
what he had all day been anticipating.
the delights Of his own freside. His
pretty wife Esther took her work and
sat down by the table.
at Is pleasant to have home Of
ones own. he again said. taking n
satisfactory survey of his little quar-
tcrs. The cold rain beat against the
windows. and he thought he felt
really grateful for all his present com.
forts.
"Now. IL we only had piano. ex-
claimed the wife.
"Give me the music Of your own
sweet voice before NIL the pianos in
creation" hcl declared, complimenta.
rily. besides certain secret disappoint.
ment that his wife's thankfulness did
not happily chime In with his own.
"Well but We want one for our
friends said Esther
"Let our friends come and see US.
and not TO hear apiano." exclaimed the
husband.
"But. George. everybody has n pi.
ano now-a.days-we don't 90 any
where without seeing piano" persis.
ted the wife.
And yet don't know what we
want one for-you will have no time
to play one. and ! doa't want to hear
ill.,. +"
"They are so fashionable-I think
our room looks nearly naked without
one."
think il looks just right.
al think II looks very naked-we
want a piano shockingly." protested
Esther, emphatically.
The husband rocked violently.
"Your lamp smokes my derr," said
he alter long pause.
"When are you going to get an as
trail lamp? ! have told you dozer
times how much we needed one, said
Esther. pettishly.
Those are very pretty lamps
never chn see by an astral lamp" sale
her husband. "Those lamps are th,
prettiest of the kind l ever saw--they
were bought in Boston,"
"But. George, do not think oul
room is complete without an astra
lamp" said Esther, sharply. "They
are so fashionablel Why. the Nor
gans, Millers, and many others nigh
mention, all have them; and | am. sur,
we ought TO.
1--WE ought to, If we take pattern BY
other peoples expenses, and ! dom
see any reason in that"
I The husband moved uneasily in hi
chair.
1--WE want to live rs we'll as others.
said Esther.
1--WE want TO live within our means
Esther" exclaimed George.
al am sure we can afford il rs wei
as the Morgans, and Mi.lers. anC
Thoms-wc do not wish to appear
mean"
Georges cheek crimsoned.
"Meanl am not meanl' he criet
angrily'
"Then we do not wish to appear
So" said the wife. 40 complet,
this room. and make it look like othe
peoples we want piano aud an astra
lamp"
"We-we want" muttered the hus
band, "there's no satisfying woman
wants, do what you may" and he alb
ruptly left the room.
! How many husbands are in simila
dilemma? How many houses anC
husbands are rendered uncomfortabl,
by the dissatisfaction of a wife will
present comforts and present provis
ions? How many bright prospects 70
business have ended in bankruptc,
and ruin, in order to satisfy this secre
hankering after fashionable necessa
ries? Could the real cause of man,
failures be known, it would be foun'
TO result from useless expenditure a
home-expenses to answer the de
mands of fashion, and "what will peo
pie think"
my wife has made my fortune,
said gentleman OF great possessions
; "by her thrift and prudence. and cheer
: fulness, when / was just beginning.
mime lost my fortune" answered
his companion, "by useless extrsvs
,, gance and repining when l was doin,
we'll"
What world does this open to tn
; influence which wife possesses owe
the future prosperity Of her family
Let the wife know her influence an,
try to use it wisely and well.
Be satisfied to commence on smal
, scale; It is too common for youni
! house-keepers to begin where thei
mothers ended. Buy all that is nee
) essary to work skillfully with; ador
your houses with all that will rende
il comfortable. Do not look at richie
, homes, and covet their costly furniture
IF secret dissatisfaction is ready {
? spring up. go astep further and Wis
!. the homes, of the poor and suffering
behold dark, cheeiless apartments. in
sufficient clothing. and absence of a
the comforts and re6nefnents Of socis
life, and then return to your ow
with joyful spirit. You will the
} be prepared to meet yourhusband wit
E a grateful heart, and be ready to ap
preciate the toll and self denial whic
he has endured in the business worl
to surround you with tie delights {
}, home; and you will be ready to so.oE