The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-25
THE WORK OF WOMEN
Mrs. Henry Ward Beeeher's
Advice to Her Sex.
RUTH CLEvELAND'S GROWTH.
The John A. Logan Monument-Female
Indian Agents-Pleading for Mrs.
Maybrick-Tight Lacing.

Lack of confidence between husband and
wife Is the canker worm which DESTROYS
the domestic happiness of thousands. Let
wife tell her troubles-her mistakes and
her follies also, freely to her husband; and
II worthy OF that sacred name, he will as
slst her or help her bear them. He is her
otherseit, not her judge and master. On
the other hand, If man conndes in his
wife, often, her quick wit or penetration,
may find an answer to some difficulty that
has escaped him.
In the busy world all day, his mind oc-
cupled by many details, or disturbed by
conflicting duties and cares; but she at
nome, frequently much alone, or with but
an infant companion, thinks over whatever
her husband has contlded 10 her, and sees
1t In many lights which have not arisen
before him. She has the time to ponder
and reflect which he needs, but in the rush
OF business cannot secure. The discovery
that there has been a secret naturally ex-
cites jealousy and weakens the ties of af-
lection on either side. Without perfect
and entire confidence, married happiness
fails to be lasting. There can be no true
union when either party through pride or
fear, conceals from, or attempts to de-
motive that which they have an equal
right to share.
OF course we except professional men,
the lawer, physician, or clergyman in SO
Tar as they hold from their wives the al =
fairs of others committed to them pro-
tessionally, but not one step farther. In
all else they lose half the JOY and blessed
ness that God designed marriage should
BRING who practice concealment, even in
business affairs. Wretched indeed are
they who having taken companion ''for
better or worse" find that like sieve,
they are incapable of keeping that which
is committed to their love and honor. But
unless compelled to relinquish the last
vestige of confidence in your companion
nave no conceaments. The very fact that
one hides from the other that which their
union gives them the fullest right TO know,
may engender deceit, and one who is
naturally open and true, may by a sense
of injustice and wrong be transformed
into very unlovely and deceitful char
acter; saying in excuse like Shylock:
The villiany you teach me l will practice,
and it shall go hard, but 1 will better the
instruction.
Every day brings to light examples in
married life where the happiness of both
has been bitterly wrecked, mischief begun
by just one trifiing concealment, then fol-
lowed by another and another, with shorter
intervals, until the exception becomes the
rule, and step by step chickering's, heart
burning and hatred usurp the home where
the light and purity of love once held I'M
disputed sway. Concealment on the part
of the husband after the novelty of mar
ried life has worn off is more frequently
practiced from foolish fear that being truly
candid with his wife, she may by and by
exact it as right, and so his pride takes
the alarm; but trusting to hifother, and
often better, self, he may risHhis boosted
independence.
The wife is often tempted to conceal
ment and, alas too often, to deceit and
falsehood, through fear of her husbands
anger-or' worse, dread of his ridicule.
She may have erred in judgment, or done
some foolish, weak but not wicked thing;
and having learned too soon that his
tones are not always of the gentlest,
knows that instead of guiding her to a
clearer idea of the right he will sit in
stern Judgment on her mistakes-or what
is the sharpest thing for loving heart to
endure, ridicule her weakness. Rather
than face these probabilities she sins des-
pite her conscience, and conceals the
{ault or mistake she would otherwise
readily confess.
Successful in this the next step is easier
and less repugnant; or if conscience speaks
louder, she siences it by the plea that the
blame should rest with him who, had he
been gentle and loving, she would so joy
fully have made her guide and head. Is
not this truth, and if so. is not the warn
ing worthy of attention?