The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-09-22
THE MONEY QUESTION
RESPONSIBLE FOR WoMAN's ReLucr.
ANCE TO MARRY.

4 Man Should Carefully Instruct His wife
Regarding tho Value and Proper Use Of
MOney-A Trusted Woman Is Proud Of
Her Busbands Prosperity.
However advanced the world may be
said to be, however quickly we may
grasp and adopt new fads, fancies and
notions, and however much we may
think we have improved upon old times
and former usages, there are vet a
great many things that are susceptible
Of decided betterment.
among these the management of
household affairs stands on promi-
nently, especially that phase of it that
involves the financial understanding
between the husband and the wife.
For a great many years it was
thought that women were not capable
OF managing their domestl. concerns
as Iar as money matters went. There
was, to an extent, some show of req.
son IN this idea, and In somr Instances
Inere is yet, but as rule, tar existing
state or things Is just about as bad as
civilized people are capable OF making
IT. A little analysis of thu situation
VIII readily discover why this is so.
man of more or less mature years,
VINO has made or is making a compe-
tence or good living, marries a young
woman, sometimes scarcely more than
enid. She has been in school almost
all her life, and has never as. ;,ned any
responsibility in money matters other
Tran to be expected to make her allow.
anca buy candy and other petty luxuri-
es. II the money were all gone she
went without confectionery and trink-
ets until next time. and it was lust as
well, perhaps better. This constituted
her limit of financial experience. Her
DlllS were paid, her necessities pro-
vlded for, incidentials wee looked
atte' and shortage was made ND.
Wh"tever she wanted in eX,rss of this
sne coaXed or cried for until she got 1t,
or maybe was sulky, sullen or DISC
bliging until the coveted article was
forthcoming as the easiest way out Of
the unpleasant state of affairs.
Fairly launched upon the sea of mar
ried nfe, that condition in which young
people feel at liberty to do as they like,
her natural inclinations, unframed
and unguided in the bud. blossom out
INTO eXtravagant and unreasonable de-
mands, and feeling perfect right to
call tor whatever she desires trouble
comes sometimes suddenly and with
out warning. 1t is safe to say that
money matters are responsible for
more domesticinfelicities than all other
causes combined. The man Is not long
In discovering that his wiz manages
badly, and he tightens the purse
strihgs. Instead of carefully instruc-
ting her In the use of this etessity Of
life. he becomes arbitrary and often
unres sonable, insisting, in many cases,
that all articles shall be bought on ere.
dit and the bills sent to him to over
look
There are few things In the world
more annoying than a systematic espi-
onage Of this sort, and the knowledge
that even the most trivial purchase
has to be accounted for. 1t is humila.
ting and puts the mistress of the house
on the level of an irresponsible child.
How much better 1t would be to ar
range at the outset some fixed method
in which forbearance on both sides
forms an important part honorable,
straightforward, honest men have very
littiA reason to fear the knowledge
which their wives may have OF their
business. 1t Is only when ";eglumate
pleasures and indulgences are to be
| provided for that there is any occa.
sion for such secrecy.
a woman who is ccnfiled in and
trusted will, as a rule, feel quite as
much pride In and interest - Der hus-
bard's prosperity as he himself does,
and = Is almost always possible, when
business is depressed, for well-in-
formed woman to curtail e6ftT SEES and
suit ner demands to the eCisnncies Of
the situation. But where there is no
understanding or confidence, where
money is literally doled out ard that,
too in the most grudging Hammer,
feeling of resentment springs up, and
TIE idea prevails that thee must be
just so much contention anyway in
in order to get what is required. Under
such circumstances there Is no wonder
II the demands are excessive md infe-
liCitas follow fast upon oua another's
heels.
Tho money question, more than any
other. is responsible for the reluctance
Of W. men TO AIRY and the'r ambition
to provide a competence for them.