Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-02-13
A Plea for Deserving wives.

When domestic unhappiness exists ina
family il generally happens that the
case may be traced TO money matters
and 10 the unequal division OF the COM
mon funds. Probably eight women out
Of ten who are married and have no
other visible means OF support than
husband are dependent upon that hus-
bands generosity for every five cents
they have TO spend. The idea of hus-
band being generous to his wife Il quite
rs absurd as it would be for any other
business partner To be generous 10 his
associate. A widower with house full
OF childie has To pay good round sum
10 some house-keeper for attending TO
the same duties his wife performed for
her salary. nor ask her what she did
with all that money he gave her last
month, nor irqulre in an aggi loved tone
of voice if $50 won't do instead of $40.
No, she has earned her mooey, he re-
spects her ngat 10 1t, aud pays ike a man.
When his wife was house-keeper he
paid her like a husband. II l. true he
gave her liberal credits at dry goods
shops. milliners aGd dress-mskers.
These privileges constituted his ideas
Of feminine bliss. What need had she
of money! such "a thing AS giving her,
or rather sharing with her, portion of
the product of his labors as one OF the
domestic Il IN never occurred To him. lie
was quite willing to trust her to keep
the honor of his home aud name (; To raise
his children; but doubt as 10 her bus
iness incaracity never crossed his mind.
That she would foolishly waste money
IL she could get hold OF IL was foregonc
conclusion, although for years she had
managed his home. aud with unexam-
Piled economy he is able To appreciate
since she is dead.
Ii is not an uncommon thing tor
woman TO have 10 worry her husband
for ten rents for ear fare 10 take her to
church. When you see woman carry
her pocket money" dime or so, tucked
in the palm Of her glove, you may con-
cludc she has husband Of this descrip-
tion. For a proud-spirited, naturally
independent woman to have 10 beg, bar
gain and hfggle for n few dollars from
her husband Is one OF the most dcgrad-
ing misfortunes tha. can befall her. IL
Is true some women do not mind beg
ging for money or the having TO explain
In elaborate detail the why aud where
fore Of th. demand; and other women
look at the partnership business In still
broader view, aud do not hesitate 90 ap-
ply for that which Is so manifestly their
due; but opposed TO these there IA a
large minority Of wives to whom IL l. an
eternal modification to ask, day after
day, year after year, for money from
their own husbands.
A friend Of mine who has been mar
ricd forty years has 10 hurry every
morning after her husband a. he leaves
the dining-room to try aud get from him
money for the dinners marketing. ThI,
has been going on during nil those
years, and II by any chance she should
fail TO run after him, hc would quietly
march on down town aud not leave
cent. IL often takes the greatest tact,
courage, patience and gentleuess TO coax
from him sufficient money 10 buy for
herr elf or the children the clothes de-
mRnded by the customs Of dcccncy and
civilization. II 10 not possible that
woman, however forgiving, can feel al
together unrescntful toward such
man. Down In her lonely heart Of
hearts she feels the indignity put upon
her. II Is all very well TO argue that II
woman has credit at .he stores-and
can buy clothes, shoes, hats, wrsps-she
has no need for money. Those who
argue this should just Try = dose Of such
treatment themselves. Why need
body live II once la while they may
not have the innocent pleasure OF In
dulging In a hook or magazine, biz OF
cbinaware, a useless odd or end that
will wear its welcome out maybe, but
that il so tempting to buy. A man may
be miser, but he doesn't feel the need
, OF il because he has H. his pocket money
which he can just take out aud spend
for cigars, an orange, lunch, soda water
or the papers. lie IL not like the woman
who, If she wants to spend fifty cents
on herself, has to run to her husband
and ask him ns great favor aud piece
OF generosity to give her the pitful
sum.
The young wife who has the courage
10 demand, at the beginning Of her mar
rled life, weekly or monthly allow
ance Of money--which shall be propor-
tionaie to her husbands income, may
be saving herself from lifetime Of
misery. Any woman who submits 10
the charity system-the board, lodging
aud clothing plaD-is a. much TO be
blamed as she IL TO be pitied. -LouisriN
| Courier Journal
How is this for aD epitaph and adj
yerti.emsDt combinedy
"Here lies the landlsrd Of tho Lion,
He's buried here In hopes Of Zion;