The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-20
Husbands Presents.

Dorothy Maddox, in Philadelphia Inquirer.
How many wives know how to accept
presents tactfully from their husbands? To
this question some cynical matron may put
the counter query: "How many husbands
make presents to their wives?"
Not as many, perhaps, should or
might, but there may be a good reason for
their lack of generosity.
Once and awhile you will find a woman
who is more BATTERED to have her husband
bring her home a bunch of violets than she
was when as his fiancee she received the
rarest floral offerings. She will take that
little bunch of vioetS and wear it down to
dinner pinned among the laces at her
throat; she will clip the stems and put the
blossoms in water over night and go right
along cheriShing those violets until the last
one fades before her eyes. A woman like
this is we'll worth the love thought which
prompts her husband to forego some self
indulgence in order to surprise her with a
box of her favorite sweets, the potted plant
she has long coveted or an unexpected set
of matinee tickets
But could anything be more discouraging
to the man with generous impulses than to
have them forever nipped in the bud by his
wife's opposing notions OF economy? And
spirit of frugality blights the gift-making
instincts of their husbands.
consistency.
sistency. If you grumble in the morning
over the household expenses don't come
home in the evening with an armful of
magazines and a piece of bric-a-brac.
SO the magazines and the bric-a-brac or
whatever else may be among the presents
are greeted with a disparaging air which
is reproof in itself, even II the Wltely re-
monstrance does not take the form of
goodness gracious, John! You don't mean
to say you've been buying Bohemian glass
when we need plain cups and saucers for
the tablet Such recklessnesst And only
yesterday / was lectured because l showed
you a paltry dressmakers bill of two
months standing.
This sort of Gliding is quite sufficient to
kill outright any tendency a man may have
to provide gift surprises. Sun more com
in the same breath with their thank YOU
How much is it?''
When the price is mentioned by the glee-
full fellow who thinks he has secured a
wonderful bargain. up go madames hands
and voice in one long exclamation point of
horror. What! s. for that NCommend me
to a man for shopping stupidity
Two or three instances of such illtimed
criticism will make man steer clear OF
the stores for the rest of his life. except
when he goes there exclusively in his own
once upon a time 1 visited in a family
where my hosts efforts to please his wife
by picking her up little gifts during his
trips to the city were continually held in
check by her insistent notions of economy
Again and again / saw the souvers of this
husbands shopping excursions ungracious-
ly received. Sometimes it would be a box
of handkerchiefs which the impolitic wom-
an would finger over and murmur: Pretty,
but m afraid they're not pure linen. You
know, dear. how easily YOU are cheated"
Once it was gem of a lace pin which
madame accepted with a perceptible pucker
of her brows and the remark: I'D so much
rather have had the money"
AS I knew her husband to own a quick
temper | wondered TO see him continue his
gift-making against such Irritating odds
Finally his patiepce did give way when
his wife exclaimed over his last present an
exquisite chocolate service of Wedgwood:
We'll, this is an extravaganza! What on
earth ever possessed you TO get me a choco-
late set when / have two already?''
In twinklng her husband caught up the
tray full of blue and white ware and
striding to an open window, flung tray and
all into the yard. couldn't help feeling a
little thrill OF satisfaction as / listened to
the pieces shatter on the brick pavement