Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-02-28
[From Hsrper's Weekly.
My Wife and My Sons Wife.

My Wife and My Sons Wife.
Barring the sel6shness of the old man s
prayer
..oh Lord, bless me and my wife,
Ny son John and his wife.
.s1I Us four.
.s.s No more.
Amenr'
il is petition that has literally expressed
my hearts desire for years, with this result,
that the Lord has blessed me and my wife,
but He has not blessed my son John aud
his wife. Thinking il all over tonight,
as have, reclned in my easy chair before
the Ere, l have come to the conclusion that
my blessing aud my son Johns curse are
attributable to the differences in our
wives.
For some Of these differences s~bss
low.
As.c lass, my wife was bred at home in
q great many old-fashoned notions, like
the honor due parents, veneration to su-
periors, the value of time, human accounta-
bility, and womans responsibility. She
was Instructed, moreover, in the art OF
bread-making and variety of useful en-
ploymcnts.
My son Johns wife received her educa-
tion at one Of the fashionable boariing-
schools that turn out young ladies with
all the modern improvements. Among
these improvements, so.called, was the
conviction that pater .fanaiiias, as she
-learnedly dubbed him, was dear old fell
low to pay bills, delicious sort OF bank
ing institution that had no credit pages In
its system Of book keeping, and never bsl-
anced accounts. Farther than this, Pater
was something of an old fogy. Whose
opinions were entirely out Of date and too
ridiculous for respect or adoption. Mater.
ftimitias also was very good woman IN
her way. As medium OF communication
between herself and the exchequer she had
no equal, and better indorser with the
family banker could not be found. But
maier too was full Of obsolete notions, aud
not up to the times by any manner OF
means. Another modern improvement
was the conviction that the time not con
sumed in eating, drinking, sleeping, dres-
sing, party-going aud novel-reading was
nm unmitigated bore, to be killed by any
possible expedient. The other modern inn
proyemenIs were mainly playing indifier-
emily ON piano, painting poorly in oils,
dancing gracefully, hunug skillfully,
gossiplng recklessly, and doing nothing
genteelly.
As lass, my wife was buxom woman,
glowing with health aud happiness. Oh
the reduess OF her plump cheeks and the
brightness of her sparkling eyesl She
aid not need TO respond, in her hearty,
merry tones, to inquiries after her health,
Il am very we'll, thank your Her rosy
cheeks, aud rounded furm, aud clear,
strong tones testified to her we'll. being.
As lass, my son Johns vile was a
pale aud fragile creature, like n lily or u
snow-huke. John said. She had mild,
languid eyes aud thin, baby voice that
responded family TO queries after her
health: IL am miserable to-day" and the
next day would say, II am not 80 we'll as
was yesterday"
As n married woman, my wife's nerves
are help to her aud me; but am OF fopin-
ION that the nerves Of my son Johns wife
ere more OF hIndrance thana help. There
Is the same difference In the heads and
hearts aud bones and backs OF the two
women. My wiies head plans, contrives,
considers. aud designs. The head OF my
sons wife aches, lhrobs, and il always
ready to split. My wiies heart is good
steady, human heart, full of pure blood
and the seat Of womanly affections. ! he
heart OF my sons wife Is the seat OF disease
aud its blood lacks iron. My wifes bones
are equal TO the full duties incumbent on
sound bones, but the bones of my sons
wife are deficient in lime, soda, or mag
nesia, and are full OF aches aud pains. My
wiie's back is strong to bear the burdens
'of the day, but the back OF my sons vile
Is always broken aud troubled with lumba.
40.
Ny wife takes for her model thu yirtu
Gus woman in Proverbs: "She risoth
while |, Is yet night aud giveih meat to
her household aud bread to her maidens. !"
Ny sou johns wife rises towards noon
has very indistinct notions as to what her
household Is fed with, and remains in bed
while her maidens are eating.
My wiie's industry Is we'll directed In a
variety OF useful employments. "She
layetlp her hands TO the spindle, aud her
hands hold the distaff."
Ny son johns wife has taste for fancy
work. She layeth her hands 10 the crochet.
needle, aud her hands hold the ,atting-
shuttle.
My wife Is always we'll dressed, and her
garments are mainly Of domestic manu-
facturc. She has prototype Ia the habit
OF the virluous woman who "maketh her.
self coverings of tapestry"
My son Johns wife Is gorgeously attired
In society; but my son John groans over
the bills from importers, dress makers
aud miliners.
My wife Is charming at the breakfast
table. smooth hair, tidy dress, whit,
collar, and smiling face, make up he
charms.
Ny son Johns wife, If she appear at th,
breakiast-table, Is not charming. He
hair Is In crimping. Plus and curling-pa
pers; her slippers are down at'tho heel
her dress is shabby, and she wears n,
collar. Venus herself would DO ugly II
such attire.
My wife "openeth her mouth with wis
dom, and her tongue Is tho law Of kind
ness"
My son Johns wife openeth her moutl
with complaints, and fault.hnding, an'
ifetful murmurs. and idle gossip, and up
reasonable demands, and her tongue Is II
tho bad habit Of scolding.
ny wife ''looketh we'll to the ways o