The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-03-08
Living Together.

Dispositions differ to such an extent,
that for two persons to live together
happily for ten, twenty, or thirty years,
would seem incredible, did not Occa-
siOnal cases authenticate the statement.
By living together happily, We do not
understand Il calm, passive existence
umbrOken by a single dissenting word
or look, because persons who succeed
in winning such a reputation are in
capacitated for happiness, since they
can adapt themselves to so stupid a
mode Of living. Occasional differences
Of opinion indicate mutual vitality,
and, when backed by common sense
and ~Self-cOntrOl, are no drawback to a
peaceful life.
Living together in its most important
rclatiOn-liamely, the marital-is an art
which can only ripen into perfection
through the possession of certain requi-
sites on the part of the wife. Among
these an wen temper, a clear head. Il
certain pretcnce Of giving in to the
cnemy-mind-Only 4 pretence-are the
most important.
AS wives, can WELD the
Sceptre,. but must meyer let ever the
tip Of it be seen. The secret hes in
quietly having it all their own way,
taking good care to let the enemy think
he is master of the position. We use
the word enemy here to imply not en-
nifty of husband to wife, but OF man to
wOman's assumption OF superiority.
There are genuine good husbands,
and there are opposite extremes. These
latter can be forced to be good hus-
bands. in spite of themselves. Men
possess less stamina than is generally
credited to them, and are so easily
moulded by feminine influence, that
Il good loving wife can refine and Ell
noble the most hHldened%pecilnen Of 1t
husband if she studies his peculiaritieS
and lays siege to them.
There are irritable men by nature,
who are denied the privilege nf being
irritable. There are penuriOus men,
whose houses overflow with every lrxu-
ry money a purchase. They cannot
understand it themselves they suspect
this undertOw of power, but it is too
strong for them. They can find no
reasonable cause Of complaint; their
homes are models Of attractive comfort !;
they love to dwell therein; they pine
for them when absent. Their slippers
are always ready for their weary feet at
night the biscuits are nowhere so light,
the coffee nowhere so delectahlc, as at
their W cosy breakfast tables; they
are the happiest of men, and all be
CAUSE tllCI wives nave t4le SbllAt "a
apply military tactics to the household
regime, and reap the reward of their
management by living peacefully with
men, who, in the hands Of less skillful
women, would be simply detestable.
Without any d~isparagement of the
opposite sex-utterly notwithstanding
Mrs. Caudle, Xantippe, and similar Vir-
agOs-we do protest against any wo-
man meriting a husband till she knows
how to manage ont.
An old lady once remarked to us
IF you ever have a husband, remem-
Der three separate advices, which Ihave
learned from experience: Never ques-
ton him about his business till he first
breaches the subject never trouble
him with domestic affairs when you
see a shadow on his face; and last, but
not least, always have his dinner smok-
ing hot in the very nick Of time"
Matrimonial felicity would be stril1,
ingly enhanced We're these sensible adj
; vices accepted and fOllOwed-nOt in the
/; delusiOn that man is denli-gOd to be
! fawned on and fattered, but a most
complex mixture of good and evil
| Simply held in dIrance, Il formidable
l beast; but rightly managed, a blessing
to the family circle-a blessing to the
, world-[Lady's Journal.