The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-05-20

In Woman's World.


rather lnan the manner. IL appears, W
instance, on which the dramatists of the
Restoration rely so largely strong as
they are also in humor of a different
kind.
The point, if we must say so, is not
unfrequently supplied by the fact that
some one is exhibited IN a more or less
undignifed position. 1t may be freely
and at once conceded hat women are not
amused by humor of this class. They
think it silly, undignified, and often
coarse, and, so far as the last lndlct-
ment is concerned, men do not contra
dict them. More than this, such JOKES
like the practical jokes that amuse a
boy, are often enough not only coarse,
but cruel, and may very well be tnat a
woman refrains from laughing at them,
not SO much because her perceptions are
dull in one direction as because they are
keen in another. To see a human being
made a fool of is too painful to be anus
ing. Moreover, she often finds that the
joke consists in some timehonored With
cism against her own sex, supported
rather by tradition than by observation,
and if she has any spirit she naturally
~resents it.
1t is a curious evidence of the strength
of custom, by-the-bye, this naivete with
which women are expected to join in
jokes against themselves "by men, as
has been we'll said in a different connec-
ton, incapable of a deliberate insult"
But because a woman does not laugh it
does not always follow that she does not
see what she is expected to laugh at. A
brother once complained of his sister
tina she could not see a joke, and the
criticism was, Of course, duly conveyed
to her. mo. I don't see any joke" was
the reply. There isn't any joke. see
what amuses him, but you don't really
expect me to laugh at that"
women are curious creatures salo
the man. meditatively. "At least, my
wife is. and I suppose she is a fair sam
pie of the sex. Every now and then,
you know. l nave a windfall of money
and, being a model husband, I divide
with her.
This is for yourself l say, impress
lively; now buy something you've been
wanting for a long time
After awhile I'll say: oh, by the bye,
you haven't shown me what you bought
with the ten dollars ! gave you yester-
day. You've spent it, haven't YOU?
Yes. indeed she replies, and forthwith
produces a cut-glass bowl or a bureau
scarf or something equally absurd. Tnen
when 1 object that l expressly stated she
was to buy something for herself land has
responds that this is for herself. and has
a double value in that I can eajoy 1t too.
ssWhy, I lave given that young woman
the money for a pair of slippers at least
twenty times over, but on her way down
town to get them each time she has seen
something she wanted for the house and
has bought it instead. Finally | grew
tired of seeing her with boots on in the
evenings, and despite her circumstances,
dragged her an unwilling victim to a
shoe store and bought them for her my
self.
Now, a man isn't like that. When he
J buys something for himself, it is for him
self YOU may wager. No one else has
part or parcel in it. And it's not for the
house either. He may, in a moment of
deep generosity. purchase an article Tor
his own den, but nothing that is to be
used generally"
"All of which is a commentary upon
the selfishness of man and the cores
ponding generosity of woman inter-
rupted his AUDITOR
81 admit the generosity, but deny the
selishness,'' declared his lordship. THE
laborer certainly is worthy of his hire,
and a fellow likes to a a few things
of his very own. There's nothing selfish
in that ambition, I'm sure"
So.
"Happiness comes through quiet ac-
ceptance of the talent, temperament and
task that God hath appointed. Unable to
add one cubic to the stature, or make one
hair white or black, man is also impo-
tent to alter his birthgifts,'' writes the
Rev. DR.. Newell Dwight Hills, pastor of
Plymouth Church., Brooklyn. on The
Secrets of a Happy Life" in the May
Ladies' Home Journal" Through her
edity our fathers chose the life-work for
US, and try as we may we cannot alter
their choice, though we can break our
hearts. Today one part of society IS
making itself miserable through an over
estimate of great deeds ana an agon,z-
ing desire to do striking things. Yet
struggling and agonizing never did any
thing worth while. The first sign OF a
great piece of work is the ease and swift
ness with which it was done by him
appointed for the task. Another part OF
society destroys happiness by underesti-
mating small deeds and duties. Gods
flakes of mica. Size has, nothing to do
with the valued work, and man cannot
be happy until he surrenders his will
and cheerfully accepts the one talent, or
two. or ten, counting it honor enough to
do his appointed work more perfectly
than any other can possibly do it. We do
not need great and splendid things, put
that common things shall be lifted up
and Illuminated by a quiet and beautiful
spirit. One of the secrets of happiness is
found in the habitual emphasis of pleas
aside of all malign elements"
Said a young girl in my hearing, says
a writer in "Harper's Bazar":-
II never know just what to say to people
who are in sorrow, SO I never say any
thing if I can help it. And the more l
feel, the less I can say. l can write a
note of coincidence quite easily, for the
stilted phrases slip easily from the pen.
even when I know they are useless, for
they never comfort the least little bit.
But when I am face to face with bereave-
ment I am dumb. although my heart may
ache. Still. it makes little difference;
words don't help people in grief. And If
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