Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-09-25
Wives and Money.

OF all the little foxes that help to destroy
the domestic vines, no one is more omnipres.
ent, or busy, than that small pest which in.
tests alike the houses Of the rich aud Of the
poor, which makes it necessary for the wife
to ask her husband for money to supply the
daily recurring family necessities, and her
own.
1t inevitably creates discomfort, sense of
humiliation, degradation, and separation. The
woman who had earned aud been free to use
her weekly wages, or yearly salary, or larger
income, before her marriage, and after that
event, though her time is more fully occupied
than ever, has no money except at her asking
and not always then--fecls just as a man
would feel who should be placed in the same
circumstances.
She gave up her opportunity to acquire
money by the usual methods, for the sake Of
the home and the family.
To this end she dcyotes her time, thoughts
and effects, every day, and all the year. with
out cessation or vacation.
But custom everywhere, and law in many
places, puts all the money of the family in
the hands of the husband. The wife lives as
a dependent. She has what is given her,
cheerfully or grudgngly, as the case may be,
but inevitably learns to hate her position,
and to grow away from the man who gives
only when be is asked. 1t may be mere
thoughtessness on his part, but the result
with the wife is the same
One of the most fruitful sources Of dis
content in the home is the too dependent po-
q. g Al k,a ~.
slider what it would be 10 them to be situated
precisely in the same way, so far as money is
concerned, every just and generous man
among them would see to it at once, that his
house should not hold so fruitful a source Of
unhappiness.
Many years ago, an excellent man told me
his experience in this particular. He had
not been married year, but he noticed
change in the looks and manner Of his wife
she seemed less cheerful, less happy. The old
glad welcome at his daily return from busi-
ness had ceased lie knew no reason for the
change He sincerely loved her, and was
miserable when he saw that she was not even
comfortable as his wife This state of things
must not be endured if it could be cured. So
he asked her frankly what was the matter, at
the same time telling her that above all things
he wished to promote her happiness.
Then she answered frankly: I" You know
that before our marriage | collected my own
dividends, and the money had was my own,
to use as | chose, and it was all needed.
Since were we married you collect my income,
and | never have cent for any purpose, ex-
cept when | ask you for it. 1t seems to me
that if you cared for me in the least, you
could not subject me to such humiliation.
Look at these slippers have worn them
beyond all decent use, because could not ask
for the money necessary to buy new ones. l
feel it a degradation, just as you would, il
you were in my place.
Gould you endure it it had the money,
and you had none, only as you got IL by ask.
ing me for it2 used to teach six hours,
and had the whole remaining day for my
pleasure. Now all my time is occupied; |
have neither money or leisure, and feel just
like pauper or a beggar, and | wish | were
dead" Then she burst into tears, aud cried
as though her heart would break.
With an immense sense of relief he asked !:
:" Is that all 2" "All!" said she, ait is
,r i
Inc dreadful lear 'hat sue nau ceased 70
love nm or thal sne loVeu s, some Que Que e,sG .,
neu' ine w"ol' ina''ei was ,a'Npu o'e' W."
the largest freedom unt'l tne HUSBAND sIlu nc ,,
seemed TO himseu 10 nave oeen unsPeaAaO'y
mean;
70 'hiaS, said ne, .na' naa s eve" Oh Oh
tered her Just the twenty Genus wn'en ae sue
sara sne neeueu 10 puy Pius' VI 'ns s,A 1en's
necessary 10 puy Snoe S'r,ugS, ana nAu nov nov
once thougn' tna' sue m"s' neou 'noro 10,
other things wn'le al her ''eio was ae'o'eu
10 make comlor'aoie nome 'pr me As d
result oil the explanation, Tue husoanu every
week put sum oi money double wha' ms
wife thought she would need' where sue cou'o
get II without asking
Inc young WIG iaCc Ble" blau ubulu'