The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-06-20
CHOOSING A HUSBAND.
Robert Louis Sto.cEson's Advice t.
MO.ncn.

Robert Louis S:ay cEson's Advice to
Women.
1t isn't often Il Ilan comes forward TO
offer advice unsolicited On how to
choose u husband. When one does.
women ought to give his remarks at
tcntion, for the suggestions he ad-
vances are sure to be interesting if not
convincing.
"DOn't marry any man." says mas
culiEe philosopher, " without duly con-
siGering his tastes and habits, for they
offer n pretty sure estimate of the in
diyit,ual's temper and the bent of his
character. Refuse a man of letters,
though his genius may promise to PRO
ducc the book of the century. Shakes
Tcarc himself was not Il satisfac tory
life partner, and authorship is scdcn-
tary, brain-wearing, dyspeptic profess
sion. lie who bends over a desk coin
ing fine sentences will likely scowl
when the baby walls, quarrel with his
food, want peace when the children
Tomp, suffer from insomnia and live
chiefly on his nerves.
"Rcfuse him." Mr.. Stevenson con-
tinues, Just as you would the musical
genius, or even the vocalist who has
too much talent. Men of that stripe
always sacrifice everything to their
art, which leaves, you see, very short
commons for the wife. Your embryo
Wagner is apt enough to be as full of
crochets as his scores. He is always
up in the clouds or plunged in ubysmal
depths. The neighbours practicinE
daughter keeps him on the rack, his
hours of composition or prOtracted
practice sap all the harmony from his
mind and body, while ambition rides
him like n nightmare.
but if you must have n husband in
the arts, try painter or an architect.
An artist is the only man who knows
how to make poverty picturesque and
accept it with hilosophy-daubing
colors on canvas, or drawing stately
lines la somehow a soothing occupa-
tion to the mind. There always lin
gers a halo of romance around the vel
Veteen coat and tall easel, and artists
are, by the requirements of their pro-
fession, more patiently hopeful than
feverishly ambitious.
There is really much excellent ma
terial for good husband to be found
among the journalists. A capable
journalist is eminently a good tenn
pered fellow; cheerful, energetic, has
n keen understanding of human na-
ture, comprehends the philosophy of
making the best of bad bargain,
leads busy, healthy, varied life and
as a husband stands n better chance of
succeeding than, for instance, physi-
clan.
Its doubtful if the popular doctor
is much of comfort to his wife. He
has too little leisure; his professional
chains are carried everywhere with
him, he is preoccupied; scarcely ever
a good business man, but a lawyer Is to
be highly recommended and politi-
clans have their strong virtues.
''Ncver marry man who has very
few friends. There is undoubtedly
big flaw in his character somewhere,
but remember, if n rather stern, re-
served individual is found to practice
such pretty tastes as collecting or
painting in water colors, he is likely to
have nice soft spots in his nature some
where, amenable to the right inhu-
ences.
"a man who is fond of fishing is
worth cultivating. 1t shows a contem-
plative mind open to convictions. Re-
member that the bachelor who boasts
he has TO small vices must needs be
suspected, for human nature is true to
herself and abhors n vacuum. It's
wise wife who cheerfully tolerates a
pipe, who only lifts her eyebrows at
muddy boots, who doesn't ridiculc her
husbands clumsy efforts at carpentry
mending around the house, who often
admits the dogs to the sitting-room.
and let's an occasional extra man friend
in for dinner without rebuke or apol-
ogy. These are little things, bat they
go toward keeping a cheerful husband
inside the garden gate and tend to firm
ly establish domestic serenity De-
troit Free Press