The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-10-02
FOR FEMININE READERS
WOMEN WHO FAIL TO THINK OF THE
MORROW WHEN SPENDING MONEY.
One Disadvantage of the Woman who
yotes-Convenience Rules Fashion
to Some Extent-Odds and Ends.

| We are, as a race, we women of the
United States, so exceptionally quick in
| thought and action that we take terrible
responsibilities with little heed of conse-
quences, and do not hesitate to persuade our
husbands and sons to attempt or to let alone
things Of which we know very little says
writer in the New York Post. Especially
is this true OF our influence over our
boys lives. English mothers see their sons
sent hither and thither to prepare for work
in the four quarters of the globe-Tom for
India, Harry for 'the Cape" Dick for Can
ada-but we stretch out our trembling hands
and beg ours not to leave us. Many time
a father, though sure he is booming his lad
to a treadmill keeps silence and lets
mother have her way
We take too freely our great gifts and are
not careful to prepare ourselves for the
duties they entail. For one very important
thing, we are not-that is, the majority of
us are not-provident. While it is happily
only the few who are ready to incur debt,
most Of our women, especially those living
in cities, not only willing, but eager, to
expend the entire income which our hus-
bands labor produces. The habit of beau
trying, of improving, of refreshing things
that are plain or inconvenient or faded and
worn is incurably fixed in our minds. If
the house built yesterday has hardwood
floors and rugs and electric lights the
cozy old Brussels carpet and the old-time
chandelier are at once sources of discomfort.
To put $500 in the bank is, of course, a de-
sirable thing, but really the old house is
too shabby for anything" Between pre-
pairing for that rainy day whose tiniest
cloud has not yet arisen above the horizon
of vigorous young mans vision, and see
ing his little wife gay and proud over her
"brand-new'' drawing room, the husband
does not hesitate long. The responsibility is
the wife's; he would find the room of long
and sweet association pleasant for many a
homecoming yet, and is not too fond of the
WaVering intensity shed on his evening pa
per from the fanciful incandescent lamp.
III we are partners, and favored special
partners at tnat, we should weigh the in
terests of the whole concern, not try to
wiring out of the profits every penny which
can enrich our feminine department. In
emergencies we are fine; come out strongly
to endure, and cleverly to devise expedients.
But no man of affairs is valued very much
for these traits. Prudence, farsightedness,
the being sure that 1.-The play is worth the
candle we burn, the. use of the judgment
as to the real value of what we seek these
are the traits which make a man a valuable
partner; they are just as full of merit in a
WIFE, With Whom a husband shares his
purse.
We are too apt to have ends to attain; a
summer at Bar Harbor, winter in Italy
the r1cner woman q mouse In a better
street, an expensive school for our eldest
daughter, cut-glaSS or a bit of ornamental
silver for the table, or it may be a fine new
gown or a sable collar. Once quite in earn
est on either of these heads, the average
American husband, though he may demur
or hesitate, generally can be trusted to
yield to tactful perseverance, even though
when December comes the reserve fund.-
which is coveted so much for wife and
child, and for a possible day of infirmity to
himself, has had no accession. He will even
show to his business friends an added eff
fort to make money and an almost covet-
Gus eagernesS to secure profit from a client
or a venture.
Too great indulgence hurts wife as much
as it does child and many of us put our
husbands to extremiteS of painful endeavor
without the slightest intention of being
selfish or inconsderate. To be able to enter
into the higher and more ennobling conf
dence of him who so generously provides
we need to practice firm restraint, and also
to ask to be put in place whence we can
honestly and clearly judge of our surround
ings
To be the favored recipient of dearly
bought luxuries and to gain ones material
ure and make life a constant succession of
perishing delights; but to have 1.-The good
man of the house. say with tranquil APP
prevail that your judgment and comprehen-
sion have made his way easy, and your I'M
selfiShneSS and self-restraint have helped to
Increase his provision against disaster, are
things worth living for. And with no lack
of appreciation of the virtue and charm of
American wives, l am sure the average
American husband well deserves that we
should do this much in his behalf.