The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1883-12-06
A Study Of Husbands,

We hear much about the art OF win
ming husband. Let us take a step
further and make study of keeping
husband. If he is worth winning he is
worth keeping. This is wicked
world and man is dreadfully mortal.
Let us take him just as he is, rot 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 fingers,
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
dinner? Let her tighten the mesh
around him with fragrant coffee, light
bread, and good things generally, and
reach his heart through his stomach.
Is he fond of tlattery about his looksp
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 encyclopedia to give variety to the
depth of her admiration. Flattery is
good thing to study up at all haz-
ards, 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 .s broken down"
Though it is a common sneer that
woman has admitted that her sex con-
slider more in marrying 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 mattersP 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 will be literary enough
to appreciate him. If she have itera-
ry inclinations keep them to herself.
Men love to be big and great to their
wives. That's the reason why help
less little woman can marry three
times to sensible, self-reliant woman's
none. Cultivate helplessness. Is he
curious? o, then, you have treasure;
you can always keep him if you have a
secret and keep it carefully. Is he
jealouss 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 a dose of
his own medicine, skillfully done. Is
he deceitful? Pity him for his weak
ness; 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
barn-yard fowl; they like the pleasure
of pursuing wild game-quail, and
grouse and deer. A quail is good
model for wife-neat and trim, with
a pretty, swift way about, and just a
little capricious. Never let yourself
become an old story; be iust.a little
uncertain. Another important fact is,
don't be too good; it hurts his feel ngs
and becomes monotonous. Cultivate a
pleasant voice, so that this very NOR
tai man may have his conscience prick
him when he is IN jeopardy; its pleas
ant 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 atter vexatious
household cares and smiling when he
comes home; but it seems necessary.
ITO be born a woman is to be born a
martyr" says a husband who for ten
years has watched in amazement his
wife treading the winepress of her ex-
istence. 1t is pitiful sight to some
men. But if the wife does not make
a 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, good wife, Keep from try
ing any of these things on any mortal
man but your own. These rules are
only evolved in order to ''kecp 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 Chicaqo Iri6akas3