The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-01
A Study Of Husbands.

We hear much about the art OF WIN
ming 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 dreadfully mortal.
Let us take him just 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 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 mesh for every one, and the Sc
cret is hers. Is he fond of a good din
ner? 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 flattery about his 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
lectp Let her pore over the encyclo-
pedia to give variety to the depths of
her admiration. Flattery is a good
thing to study up at all hazards, in all
its delicate shades, but it must be skill
fully done. The harpy who may try to
coax him away will not do it absurdly.
Is he fond of beautyP Here's the rub
let her be bright and tidy; that is
half 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 wo-
man has admitted that her sex, in mar
rying, consider more 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 9TH
err 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 she will only be literary enough to
appreciate 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 help
less little woman can marry three times
to a sensible, self-reliant woman's none.
Cultivate helplesness. Is he curiousP
o, then you have treasure; you can
always keep him if you have a secret
and keep it carefully. Is he jealous?
Then, woman, this is not for you; cease
torturing that fretted heart that wants
you for its own, and teach him conf
dencc. Is he ugly in temper and fault
finding? Give him dose of his own
medicine skillfully done. Is he de-
ceitfulp Pity him for his weakness;
treat him rs one who is born with a
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
a wife-neat and trim, with pretty,
swift way about, and just little ca
PRECIOUS Never let yourself become
an old story: be just a 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 the vexatious house
hold affairs and smiling when he comes
home; but it seems necessary. ITO be
born a woman is to be born martyr, p"
says husband who has for ten years
watched in amazement his wife tread
ing the winepress of her existence. II
is a pitiful sight to some men. But il
the wife does not make study of these
things, the happy 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 trying any of these
things on any mortal man but your
own. These rules are only evolved to
''keep husband" 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.