Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-10-13
THE SUCCESSFUL WIFE
Many Domestic Misflts Accounted
For.


1t is a foregone conclusion that the
chief end of women is to marry. AID
it is no less true that the question of
marriage is one in which the women OF
the world are more nearly interested
than in any other. This being the
case. the wonder grows that there are
so many ill-assorted marriages and
unhappy homes The cause for many
misits is readily accounted for, 1t IS
true. in the innumerable nlarri dJes de
conueudnce which are contracted every
day, but there still remains vast num-
ber for which no reasonable excuse can
be found. Let us peremptorily exclude
all such marriages as are made from
policy, or from any motives other than
pure unqualified affection: 1t is to be
presumed that the girl loves the man
she marries, or at least thinks she does,
which at the outset means very much
the same thing. And it is presumed
! that the man loves the girl he marries.
The matter of choice being so much on
his side he is far less likely to deceive
himself on that point than the maiden,
who waits for the coming of Sir Ga Ia
had, and who generally Is so eager for
his coming that she is prone to error
in his identity.
The knights Of old Europe made
special business of protecting women,
especially such as had no natural pro-
tectors, and as consequence devoted
large share of their time to .ove-mak-
ing. Some of the exploits of these
amorous cavaliers, as recorded In his
tory. seem to us In those latter days to
be the extravaganza of folly. For in
stance. one tells how he never sees his
lady-love's face without crossing him.
self Another burns lamps and tapers
before the altar of the Virgin that his
mistress heart may be softened.
Another performs penance, and says
hundred masses day to the same end.
One turns preacher, and in the pulpit
recites the praises of his lady, the listen
ers mistaking his rhapsody for tribute
to the Virgin. One turns pilgrim, and
walks barefoot and bareheaded through
Europe: another curses himself, wishes
that he may fall from his horse and
never rise; that his helmet may wear a
hole in his head; that his bride reins
NAV be too long and his stirrups too
short. and that his horse may trot for
ever if his lady is not the the most beau
tifuI woman in the world, and so on
through innumerable eXtravagances.
The DAYS of such chlvalrous wOoing are
no more, but there Is no record TO show
that the lover whs INDUCED in such
hyperbolical love making was any more
devoted or affectionate as a husband
than he of modern times who sets about
winning his wife in less exaggerated
manner Neither is there any reason
to suppose that the words of knightly
courtiers were any more endearing than
the simpler phrases now whispered into
maidens' ears. At all events the result
is the same.
Doubtless one of the greatest errors
made by young persons is that blindness
which glorifies the object of their affec-
tions into a supernatural being. Many
a girl has had her whole e-happineSs
destroyed because she obstinately chose |
TO form her estimate of the character of |
a lover exclusively by his behavior |
toward her, and by his professions of
devotion rather than by his conduct |
coward others. 1t is pretty safe rule |
that a man whose whole life is but an |
of selfishness will not |
for any length Of time continue gener-
BUS in his bearing toward his wife. |
Character is rarely reyOlutionized by
And men suffer as well as
by marrying an ideal. The
yirl of his fancy may be pretty, bright
md entertaining, but if she is not pos
,essed of those qualities which fit her to
De his companion, confidant and friend
his chances of happiness with her as wife
Ire very meager. a little common
ense in matrimonial affairs, although
{ may despol the courting days of
something Of their romance, is very
,ood thing.
But courting days, no matter how de-
ightful, cannot last forever. The
-oung people are married: alack and
Ilasl that they are not more often
mated. They 60 with the blessing of
he parson and the good wishes of
riends, and begin, like the birds, to
,ather twigs and construct the home.
mantle, builds little air-castles for her
zero. All the JOY Of the new life and
he power to do for him comes with a
orce which is almost incomprehensible
o the masculine mind, absorbed in
Juyiny and selling, Scheming and plan
ling. 1t is at this time that the woman
'uns the greatest risk of her life, endan-
,ering what is loveliest in her by being
90 liberal with il.
Man, of all animals, is the most sus-
'eptible to creature comfort.
\ loving heart and a careSsing hand
Ire very alluring, but they lose some of
heir enchantment if they forget to
eason the soup and show an utter dis
egard for shirt buttons and sock heels
Love, even when bound by the enduring
.hains of matrimOny, is very much SUBJ
ect to external influences, and the ma
,hinery that governs the domestic {
economy must be kept in perfect run
ling order.
4 man has an eye for beauty in his /.
wife. He notices the soft wave of her |
fair and the fit of her gown with a sort
# pleasurable pride, even after time
nd trials have dimmed the glamour of ,
rst love. The successful wife must ,
epresent to her husband all the virtues; ,
must be sympathetic, and at the same
ime sensible. She must be bright, en-
and agreeable at home as !
yell as abroad, and she must know how :
o preserve silence when it is desirable .
o hold her tongue, even though she is !
eady 90 burst with Indignation. If .
he does not possess these qualities let J
er cultivate them most assiduously.
md there Is no trait that is such a
owerful factor in household harmony
5 assimilation-to become one in '
loug.lt and purpose to have kindred {
fishes. The theory of the affinity q
{ opposites was hopelessly exploded g
ing ago. The picture of petite +
londe Desdemond clinging TO swarthy q
'thelLo is very pretty, but If OthelIo's q
lind is out of tune with DeSdenona s.
le affinity cannot exist. a
A woman's natural impulses lead her G
choose ruler and guide in her hus- o
md. Very few women desire to rule t.
le man to whom they link their des- o.
ny. The true wife gives to her hus- u