The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-08-03
THE PRESS.
A Study of Husbands.
By Woman for Women, but Men May
Read it with Profit.
THE Argonaut.1

[The Argonaut.]
We hear much about the art of winning
husband Let us take step further and
make study of keeping husband. If he is
worth winning he is worth keeping.
This is wicked world, and man is dread
fully mortal. Let US take him ust as he is
and not as he ought to be. In the first place,
he is very weak. The wife must spend the
first two years in discovering all these weak
nesses, count them on her fingers, and learn
them by heart. The fingers of both hands
will not be too many. Then let her study up
these weaknesses, with mesh for every one,
and the secret is hers Is he fond OF good
dinner? Let her tighten the mesh around
him with fragrant coffee, light bread andagood
things generally, and reach his heart through
his stomach. Is he fond of fattery about his
good looks? Let her study the dictionary for
sweet words, if her supply gives out. Does he
like to hear her talk about his brilliant intel
lect? Let her pore over the encyclopaedia to
give variety to the depth of her admiration.
Flattery is a good thing to study up at all haz-
ards in its delicate shades, but it must be
skillfully done. The harry who may try to
coax him away will not do it absurdly. Is he
fond of beauty? Here's the rub let her be
Dflgut anu IlUY, lHdb ID Hall thO tiOsoiy.
Next, let her bang her hair metaphorically and
keep up with the times A husband who sees
his wife look like other people is not going to
consider her "broken down." Though it is
common sneer that a woman has admitted
that her SEE consider more, in marrying. the
tastes of her friends than her own, yet it must
not be considered ludicrous that man looks
at his wife with the same eyes that other pee
pie do. Is he fond Of literary matters? Listen
to him with wide open eyes when he talks OF
them, A man doesn't SO much care for lit
erary wife if only she will be literary enough
to appreciate him. If she have literary inclin-
atoms let her keep them to herself. Men love
to &c great and big to their wives That's the
reason why helpless little woman can marry
three times to a Censible, self-reliant woman s
none Cultivate helplessness. Is he curious?
Oh, then, you have treasure, you can always
keen him il YOU have a secret, and only keep it
carefully. Is he jealous? Then, woman, this
is not for you; cease reading; cease torturlng
that fretted heart which wants you for his own,
and teach him confidence Is he ugly in his
temper and fault finding? Give him dose of
his own medicine skillfully done. Is he de-
ceitful Pity him for his weakness, treat
him as one who is born with physical defect,
but put your wits to work-it is bad case.
1t is well not to be too tame Men do not
waste their powder and shot on hens and
barnyard fowls; they like the pleasure of pur-
suing wild game-quail, and grouse and deer.
A quail is a good model for a wife-neat and
Trim, WIN a pretty, SWllb way duouo ~, anu
Just a little capricious. Never let yourself be-
come an old story; be just little uncertain.
Another important fact is don't be too good; it
hurts his feelings and becomes monotonous
Cultivate pleasant voice, SO that this very
Mortal man may have his conscience prick
him when he is in jeopardy; its pleasant ring
will haunt him much more than would shrill
one. 1t is hard to do all this, besides taking
care of the babies and looking after vexatious
household cares, and smiling when he comes
home, but it seems necessary. ITO be born a
woman is to be born q martyr" says hus-
band who for ten years has watched, in
Management, his wife treading the wine-press
of existence. 1t is pitiful sight to some men.
But if the wife does not make study of these
things, the harpy will, to steal away the honor
from his silver hairs when he is full OF years
and the father of sons and daughters At the
same time, gudewife, keep from trying on
these things on any other mortal man but
your own. These rules are only evolved in Or
der to "keep a husband The poor weak
creature would rather be good than bad, and it
is woman's duty to help him by every means
in her power.