The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-26
JANE ELDRIDGE on LOVE.
Peeping In at the Gate OF Wifeiy
Affection.


Affection.
Not wishing to stand proven one OF the
fools who rush in where angels dare not
tread" my purpose Is not to knock at
the portal of sacred mother love, but
rather TO peep in at the more earthly
gate Of wifely love-that feeling whlch
keeps a woman unspotted from the
world even though she reigns perfect
queen in worldly life and the feverish
struggle OF society; or even though she
be a plain every day little woman with
the cares and problems Of hread-winner
on her tired shoulders: If she has true
wifely love and a very little bit Of brains
she will b, pretty sure 10 do exactly the
right thing at the right time.
This woman will not need an outsider
to define her sphere in life, she defines
Il for herself. This age is calling FOR
self-sustaining women; those not AFRAID
to bend their satiny brows and think
think about her relation 10 her husband ;
financial success. a big fraction of bank
ript men fail on account of extravaganza
wives. who spend more than the men
make The result of a fashionable living
out of a pitifully small salary is sure
ruin. Is IL wifeiy love TO ruin husbands?
That man knows what clog Is on his
wheels of success. and in his heart ne
almost hates the woman who thus holds
him back in the race Of business should
not the love of husband and his welfare
be dearer TO wifely hearts than the latest
caprice OF fashion, as set forth by Worth,
Pingat Rodnetz. Donat and the rest Of
them? What a hard thing IL IS for a
woman 10 do--love husband who Is not
a gentleman at home, though a perfect
Chesterfield at the club, or anywhere out
side In assuming the role OF husband,
so many drop the character or lover. In
this trial so many a brave. womaniy
heart had been utterly crushed. what
hard battles they fight on this held' try
ing TO keep love in their own hearts, Goa
alone knows.
But now and again come sunshiny, hap
~ women. whose husbands adore them
These women delight to tell HOY rude
John is TO visitors, simply because he Is
JEALOUS tnd wants to have her all 10 him
self She glories in the fact that his rela-
tions. perhaps his mother or sister, are
Wild with envy because he no longer loves
them. Is this wifely love or supreme
selhshness? Is not love, like friendship.
grated on a firmer stock Of family rela-
tiOnship? DO you know the wife who Is
the most excellent hcdsekeeper, but who
never has time 10 share with her hus-
band an outing or new magazine? Then
the wife who Is such A kind, attentive
nurse, Wlen the nuSIdUu StlS wen again.
she Immediately assumes that touch me
rot coolness which is a veritable wet
blanket TO any affectionate advances. No
sane person advocates "spooning," yet a
timely. wifely kiss. an appreciative word
often tighten duh spirits. and prove
courage-strenethener. II we would have
affectionate gentlemen for husbands let
us then be loving lady wives.
There are a few--say one doZen-women
in the whole world who know how TO talk
and act towards all kinds and conditions
of men. Oh. for more OF them, Oh. TO be
gay with the gay. silent when anyone else
wants To talk. laxative with the shy, al
ways good-tempered. sweet and loving.
and even sympathetic on. 10 be bright
and witty and not 10 burn hearts or
sCorch sensitive feelings, Oh, for more
loving women who can do something more
than cling--ivy-like. The coming woman
must haveSCTains and independence to
stand without her husband; but oh, so
much happier TO stand with him. II is
true that woman, physiologicaiiy, have
three ounces less brains than man, but
she has Atty times as much affection. II
that love is we'll directed and governed
It will surely help on a higher civilization,
better social life. ennoble ana make
home n foretaste OF Heaven; a home in
which there will b. at least, a shadow OF
perfect love which casteth out all fear"