The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1883-08-17
TIE Health Of Our Wives.

For three years Mrs. - had been
.ad, nervous invalid, when by the death
of an uncle she came into possession OF
bonds which yielded an annual income
Of $4,000. At once her health began to
improve, she walked erect, and her face
became radiant. nce her marriage
she had become a beggar; and beggars
are not strong in health, noble in bear
ing, or happy in face. Her husband was
rich, and a good man; but careful"
| about his money. He never parted with
dollar if he could possibly keep it.
Their house was handsome and theil
table good; but while Dora, the servant,
who dressed quite as well as her mis-
tress, was not obliged to beg for money,
Mrs. 30 could not get dollar for per-
sonal expenses without explaining, urg-
ing-in brief, begging.
Visiting her mother in another State
she related, with many tears, the fol
lowing story: Il needed warm dres:
in the autumn; but so great was my re-
pugnance to asking John for the means
that | put it off till midwinter. One
evening we had company, and John was
delighted with their praise of my sing
| ing. After we had retired, and he had
spoken very warmly of my success in
entertaining our friends, thought the
moment suspicious, and in the most
/ gentle way mentioned the needed dress:
John was silent for some minutes, and
then said:
..Why. my darling. thought you
were the best dressed woman among
them. Don't you think, dearest, its a
foolish thing to go on adding dress after
| dress when your closet is so full that
you can hardly get into it? If you will
take my advice [ should say wear out
some of the dresses you already have.
"Not another word was spoken by
either of us. 1 did not choose to tell
him that the dress 1 had worn tina,
evening was my only handsome silk,
and that my only warm woo.en dress
was worn out l could not sleep. and
before morning resolved, come what
might, would never beg again. That
vow | have kept. During two years
have had no addition to my wardrobe,
except the wooden dress you sent to me.
Not one word has passed between my
husband and self on the subject. o.
how often think of the sweet indepen.
dence of my life as music teacher
When l gave myself to John it wa:
easy to make me happy. l asked but
little, and you know, mother, l never
shrink from care and labor. But now
that dear Uncle Eben's bonds give me
the means to clothe myself and assist
my nieceS as used to. shall forgive
forget and be happy again. John is
urging me to transfer the bonds to him
and let him take care of them for me. >
..My daughter, will you do it?''
"Whv. mother, l have kissed thoS'
dear, dirty. beautiful, old yellow bond
again and again. because they have
made it possible for me to become ;
happy and loving wife. Itremble wher
think how near came to hating M,
husband. shall keep the bonds in m,
own hands. They are really and trul,
the only bonds that bind me to life
wonder if Mrs. - is the only wifi,
whose health and life have been poi
soned by this mistake on the part of thu
husband The husband and father de
clares that all his toll and savings ar,
for his family. For himself. he does no
care. His wife, who transmutes dollar
into precious child-muscle, brain ant
heart. instead of being obliged to reSis
her husbands opportunities to tax,
more, and use more for her ceaseles
and vital tasks, is often compelled t,
go on her knees, a very beggar, for TIL
money she needs. She waits for mo
ment when her husband is full of GOO
dinner, and then explains, argues, i'm
plores.
If the husband and father were a
wise as those who raise cows, horses o
pigs, he would surround his wife wit
every possible advantage within hi
means. and most of all he would secur
to her that spirit of independence whicl
alone can produce strong children ant
train them in noble life.-DiO LeWiS
in NJ Y. Independent.