The gazette and Democrat. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1860-1860, 1860-04-26
A Word to Husbands Only.

/ wish every husband would copy into his
memorandum book this sentence, from a re-
Gently published work: ga word said, a
line written, and we are happy; omitted, our
hearts ache, as if for great misfortune
Men cannot feel it or guess at it; if they did,
the most careless Of them would be slow to
wound u.s."
The grave hides many heart which has
been stung to death, because one who might,
after all, have loved it after certain careless
fashion, was deaf dumb and blind to the
truth in the sentence we have just quoted,
or, if not, was at least restive and impatient
with regard to it. Many men, marrying late
in life, being accustomed only to take care
Of themselves, and that in the most erratic,
rambling, exciting fashion-eating, drinking,
sleeping and waking, whenever their fancy or
good cheer and amusement, questionable or
unquestionable, prompted-come at last,
when they get tired ofthis, with their selfish
habits fixed as fate, to matrimony.
For while it is novelty. Shortly, it is
strange as irksome, this always being obliged
to consider the comfort and happiness Of an
other. To have something always hanging
on the arm which used to swing free, or at
most, but twirl cane. Then they think
their duty done if they provide food and
clothing, and refrain (possibly) from harsh
words. All, is it! Listen to that sigh as
you close the door. Watch the gradual fad
ing of the eye, the paling Of the cheek, not
from age--she should be yet young-but that
gnawing pain at the heart, born of the set
tied conviction that the great hungry craving
of her soul, as far as you are concerned, must
go forever unsatisfed God help such wives,
and keep them from attempting to slake their
SOULS thirst at poisoned fountains.
Think you, her husband, how little q kind
word, a smile, caress to you, how much to
her. If you call these things childish, and
"beneath your notice" then You should never
have married. There are men who should
remain forever single; you are one. You
have no right to require Of woman her health,
strength, time and devotion, to mock her
with this shadOwy, unsatisfying return. A
new bonnet, dress, q shawl, watch, any
thing, everything but what true woman's
heart must oraye-sympathy, appreciation,
love. She may be rich in everything else
but if she be poor in these, and is good wo-
man, she had better die.
There are hard, unloving, cold monstrosi-
ties Of women (rare exceptions) who neither
require love nor know how to give it. We
are net speaking Of these.N That big-hearted,
loving, noble men have occasionally been
thrown away upon such, does not disprove
what we have been saying. But even man
thus situated has greatly the advantage ola
woman in q similar position, because, over
the needle, woman may think herself into
an insane asylum, while the active out door
turmoil Of business life is at least sometime
reprieve to him.
Do you ask me "Are there no happy
wiyes?" God be praised, yes, and glorious,
loveable husbands, too, who know how to
treat a woman, and would have her neither
fool nor drudge Almost every wife would
be "a good and happy wife were she only
loved enough. Let husbands, present and
prospective. think of this