Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-12-18
Atlanta oOn.tit,.tion.
A Study Of Husbands.
BY WOMAN FOR WOMEN, BUT MEN MAY
READ IT WITH PROFIT.
from the Arsonant.l

lFrom the Argonaut.l
We hear much about the art of winning
a husband. Let us take step further,
and make study of keeping husband.
II he is worth winning he is worth keep
ing. This is wicked world, and man is
dreadfully mortal. Let us take him Just
as he is, not as he ought to be. In the first
place he is very weak. The wife must
spend the first two years in discovering
these weaknesses, count them on her fin
gers, and learn. them by heart. The fingers
of both hands will not be too many. Then
let her study up these weaknesses, with a
mesh for every one, and the secret is hers.
Is he fond of a good dinner2 Let her
tighten the mesh around him with fragrant
coffee, light bread, and good things gen.
orally, and reach his heart through his
stomach. Is he fond of flattery about his
books? Let her study the dictionary for
sweet words if her supply gives out. Does
he like to hear her talk about his brilliant
intellect? Let her pore over the encyclo-
p8dia to give variety to the dearth of her
admiration. Flattery is good thing TO
study up at all hazards, in all its delicate
shades, but it must be skillfully done. The
harpy who may try to coax him away will
not do it absurdly. Is he fond of beauty?
Here's the rub-let her be bright and tidy;
that is half of the victory. 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 a common sneer that woman has ad-
mitted that her sex consider more, in mar
rying, the tastes of her friends than her
own, yet it must be considered ludicrous
that man looks at his wife with the same
eyes that other people 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 literary wife if
only she wi i be literary enough to appre-
ciate him. If she have literary inclinations,
keep them to herself
Men love to be big and great to their
wives. That's the reason why a helpless
little woman can marry three times to a
sensible, self-relianJ woman's none. Guilt
vate helplesssness. Is he curious, Oh,
then you have treasure; you can always
keep him if you have secret and keep it
carefully. Is he jealous? Then, woman,
this is not for you; cease torturing that
fretted heart which wants you for its own
and teach him confidence. Is he ugly in
temper and fault-finding? Give him dose
of his own medicine, skilfully done. Is he
deceitful? Pity him for his weakness; treat
him as one who is born with physical de-
feet, but put your wits to work-it is bad
case. 1t is we'll not to be too tame. Men
do not waste their powder and shot on hens
and barn-yard fowls. They like the pleas
ure of pursuing wild game-quail and
grouse and deer. A quail is a good model
for wife-neat and trim, with a pretty,
swift y-about, and just little capri
cious. Never let yourself become an old
story; be just little uncertain. Another
important fact is don't be too good. 1t
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, be-
sides taking care of the babies and looking
after vexatious household cares, and smiling
when he comes home, but it seems neces-
sary. ''To be born woman is to be born
a martyr" says a husband who for ten
| years has watched in amazement his wife
| treading the wine-press of her 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 daugh-
ters. At the same time, good wife, keep
| from trying any of these things ON any
mortal man but your own. These rules
are only evolved in order to 'keep hus-
band" The poor weak creature would
rather be good than bad, and it is woman's
duty to hold him by every means in her
power.