The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-22

! ask your congratulations, my dear ---, that
have discovered, little late in the day, to be sure
the one thing needed to complete my circle OF do
mestic comfort! You smile-fancying you could
suggest many desirable additions to my OF
human tecities; but possessing health, peace, and
competence; - the dearest nest OF a home; and SIX
feet-and -an-inch Of "a husband who never refuses
his wife anything, what more could reasonable
woman ask?
And here, by way OF episode, let me whisper a
secret, for the special edihcaton OF our mutual
friend, your Mr.. --. Never refuse your wife
anything she has set her heart upon never try to
convince her that she 'does not need it," or that
you cannot afford it," Don't get into an argument
on the subject, or rest assured she will get the best
OF it, on the contrary assent cheerfuly to her sug-
gestion even although ut first glance may appear
somewhat startling); discuss the style and quality
OF the desired article and good-naturedly compare
tastes. Then, If you really cannot afford it, you
may say, "My dear, you shall have it, soon but Just
now, our taxes must be paid you know" (The wise
husband never says "my taxes" 1t makes woman
realize her partnership in the domestic firm, to be
allowed interest in the taxes y Or, you may
sneak OF a certain debt to be paid or a horse or
some fine cows to be bought or new garden fence
TO be made; a henery; or you need moving
machine, as workmen are scarce; or whatever
it may be that really interferes; and the dear,
reasonable woman cheerfully defers (ony defers
you see; the equally reasonable husband does not
require her to renounce) her pet scheme In pro-
cess of time, either the wife discovers that she
can do very well without the once-coveted article
or the husband himself will have the pleasure
some fine day OF saying, 'Now, wife, if you really
want that article we were speaking Of, think we
may afford it."
This is the result Of my observation Of nus
bands and wives Qirst suggested by capital
little magazine story, which the author would do
well to repuOlish), now extended over a quarter
OF a century. The "arguing husband" is the
one whose wife, be he able or unable, always gets
the things she wants. reasonable or unreasonable
''The husband who never refuses his wife any
thing" always has wife who is willing to wait
until he can afford to crafty her wishes. This
may seem paradoXical, but the study of human
nature, of which most wives have fair share,
viii explain the apparent mystery which really is no
mystery at all. ..
Now to return from this long detour. Proba-
bly, am not so smart as many women for, some
a small mountain of that feminine incubus
needle work. rests always on my ''chest," and
although piece after piece is abstracted still: the
year rolls on, the seasons come and GO and other
and perhaps heavier pieces take their place. Sc
l never can feel that have leisure, for plea.
SAINT book for instance; or a bit of fancy-work; a
walk with friend, or drive with my good hus-
band, or a frolic with my grandchildren, because
] must finish this, or | must begin that 1t is
always
'stitch, stitch, stitch, whilst the cock is growing
aOof,
And stitch, STITCH STITCH when the stars shine on
the roof"
But ] see you grow impatient to learn what is
this wonderful addition to our menage, which by
anOrding this coveted leisure makes happy
woman Of me? "a seamstress, perhaps" you
suggest-Or another ''help" in the kitchen ?
Neither OF them, my dear, but "WilcoX and
Gibbs Sewing Machine "-nothng more, nothing
less!
Now am aware, that here come full against
a host of preudices and prepossesslons in your
mind. / know that you rest under the delusion,
often expressed, that "There is but one Sewing
Machine, and Wheeler and Wilson are its makers :
you why vote (as women may vote on the Sewing
Machine question: for "the Letter c."
First, this machine is so simple and so quiet
confess to poor development of the organ o
'cOnstructiveness,' or whatever it may be, tina
gives good head for machinery. You remember
when took my first watch to pieces, could no
put it together again and never heard the last of
in the family slnce). NowI can see right through
this little gem of machine, while the complcate
AFFAIRS such as yours and Others with their racket
set my head in whir
Again, this little darling, unlike most other ma
chimes, the human included never goes the wron
way; but with the sweetest little humming song
goes right all the time II snaps at you, to be sure
with pretty show OF petulance when you set tn
ter sion wrong, and drive with too loose rein
and 1t bites of the thread If rened up tight, an
thus prevents clumsy operator from spelling he
work. Then, If you make a crooked seam, as movie
is tOleTaby sure 10 do occasionally, you have Onl
10 stop the machine and take out the sewing; an