The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-05-21
The Wife = Work.

man grows as the years roll on !
How entirely he relies upon her ier
everything save, possibly, the mere
cost OF livlng-for companionshlp,
TOR comfort in aflliction, for advice
in perplexlties, for all of the details
OF his life-until in time he becomes
as dependent as an infantI He
grows selfish, too, in his dependence,
demanding her constant attention,
restlessly wandering about the house
if she is absent, morose and petu-
lent. only content when assured OF
her presence.
She il is that sees that his clothes
are in repair and always ready for
use. orders his meals and has them
prepared in attractive forms. keeps
his children neat and clean, makes
or oversees the making of their ap-
parel. Watches over him and them
lovingly, tenderly, and unwearingly
through all their ailments or sick
ness. entertains him with pleasant
converse, reads to him, adcrns and
beauties his home, and what Is her
return 4? Food and raiment, too Oft
en- sparingly or grudgingly furnish
ed, yet she is happy if she but re-
ceive a casual csress or an occasional
smile and kind words.
Few men seem to realize the con-
slant drudgery and the incessan!
vexations under which a wife untir-
ingly and uncomplainingly performs
her daily household duties, not per-
haps from lack of kind feeling, but
from objectionable want of sympa-
thy and consideration. Some men
never dream of the hourly irritations
and anDoyances to which their wives
are subjected they are SO epgrossed
in the mad struggle for wealth, SO
absorbed in their own pleasure
they lose sight of such minor mat
ters as home affairs that claim all OF
woman's attention, seeming TO
think that a wife should be happy
and contented if her purse be kept
moderately well supplied. How lit
tie such men know cf true woman
hood or of their duties or obliga-
tions to their wives Yet they would
feel outraged if classed with selfish,
unkind or inconsiderate husbands.
A man who cannot appreciate,
and in some measure reciprocate his
wiie's Loving sacrifices and unselfish
devotion, is, in nay opinion no man.
He should be more loving. more
scrupulously polite to his wife, more
considerate of her, as such, than
when she was only his sweetheart,
for sweetheart is still her own mis-
tress and holds the right to refuse
his attentions, whilst wife is, in
this regard, wholly in his power,
and true manhood will recognize
that fact and act accordingly.
If woman makes a request OF
her husband and he cheerfully re-
plies; Certainly, my dear, with
, pleasure" the kind words and gen
tie manner penetrate her heart and
are treasured there, but If he harsh
ly answered; 81 suppose | must, but
YOU are forever waiting something,
her hear is grieved and humiliated,
shrinks within itself, bearing an ug-
gly wound that time will scarcely
heal.
True poiteness, ever thoughtful
of others, never willingly wounds
and no one has so high claim up
on a mans politeness as his wife
She may have, and doubtless has
faults, but they are of the head ano
not of the heart, and when her love
devotion and self-sacrifice are placed
in the scales how largely they out
weigh these little faults
Kind words and loving attention.
may seem small things, but the,
sink into a woman's heart and rive
her affections. Love is woman,
life; she grows radiant and beau.i
ful upon it, but deprived of it sh'
withers and dies. Her love one
given is for always, unless it b
crushed by coa-seness and brutality
and there are burtes who call the N
selves men.