The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-06-13
Equality in the Home.
New Ncrthwest.l


Financial troubles and business reverse,
frequently render retrenchment in current
expenditures necessary, even by families
that are reputed to be in good circumstances
and it is noteworthy fact that, In looking
about for little leaks that may be stopped,
the husbands gaze is usually directed toward
his wife's department. He notes numerous
little a5juncts TO her toilet that may, in his
judgment, be dispensed with, and his sugges-
tions to that effect generally meet quiet &C.
quiescence. He sees that sundry utensils in
common use in the kitchen and other parts
of the house are getting considerably the
worse for wear, but suavely intimates that
they can be made to last another year, and
the hint is usually taken. He finds that the
reading matter for the household may be
somewhat reduced, and he promptly sends
the publisher a postal card ordering his
wife's one paper discontinued, but allows the
half dozen publications that ne admires to
come On uninterrupted. In short with pure
human nature, he first starts an investigation
TO learn what his wife and family can do
without, and generally makes his researches
so successful that it is unnecessary for him to
examine his own comforts and habits with a
view to Stopping of" little twigs of expsndi-
ture that draw their sustenance from his
purse.
Again, when husband and wife are coun-
ting upon the purchase of various articles or
the Indulgence of pleasures and circumstan-
ces become such that the wishes of both can
not be grssifed, how. natursl it is for him TO
think the matters on which che has SGT her
heart are of no great conse-
quence. He may want some new invention
to Tighten his laboTs OF increase the amount
of work he can do, and she, for q similar
reason, msy desire 6 sewing machine; out
he Will think the article he wishes is of
much more importance than the one she
wants, though both have g ! their lives sue
ceeded in getting along without the things
in question.
This readiness of husband TO curtsil his
wife's expenses is happily illustrated by a
little story of chat between 81 old farmer
and passing traveller. A recital of it will
show that it was not a particularly "bRd
year for crops" but an exceedingly rough
one on the wife.
Allows hay in this soction2" asked the
traveller.
"Only medium. sir, did intend to get
the old lady fine dress this fail, but the
weather. turned out 50 poorly that can't do
it."
"Wheat pretty good7"
cid woman new cloak this fall, but l guess
she'll have to wear the old one another
year."
"Oais tol'Ably fsir9"
"Well, they won't begin TO hold out. My
crop will fall short over hundred bushels.
1 was going to get the old woman a new set
of teeth, but the way things look now rather
goes to show that she'll have to gum along
until next yesr."
Now. it is fact plain to ell observant
people that one person can complscently
sacrifice the comforts of an other, and we are
not prepared to say that, if the old farmers
wife was tee purse-holder, she would DO any
better by I'm than he now does by her; but
we do say that, if the wife's rights in the
marriage partnership were recognized, she
would have her share of the community
funds to expend according to her judgment,
and if she wanted new cloak or q set of
teeth, che could make the purchase, just IS
her husband could if he wants new plow
or hex Of tobacco.
Equality should reign in the home at al
times, but never is there so much occasion
fer il as during seasons OK necessary expenses.
A husband may be generous 10 q fault with
his family during prosperity; but IN times
OF financial stringeEcy, even though he be
kind hearted and have an abundance OF the
gccd intentions with which the lower regions