Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-23
GIFTS FOR YOUR WIFE.
A New Shovel So She May Tend the
Furnace Without Overworking.

From the Indianapolis News.
The joke about husbands making Christ
mas presents to their wives OF boxes Oh
cigars meerschaum pipes, shaving sets,
he mmefless shotguns, bottles OF ancient
vintage and the like is not only untrue to
human nature, but cruel and wholly un-
deserved thrust at q lot of hard-working
and self-respecting men, who not only de-
vote the best efforts of their lives to the
comfort of their families, but are so con-
siderate that they spend all Of their day.
light hours away from them, and even go
to lodge several nights each week in some
cases. The license Of humor, of course, is
great; but to be true humor, humor must
be true TO life, ard in such jests there is
neither truth nor justice. The average hus-
band is considerate of his wife, her COM
fort and her convenience. She has her part
of the work to do in their common effort to
make their existence tolerable. He not only
knows this, but he lends his best thought
to affording her all the facilities for achiev-
ing the best results in her efforts.
Assuming that you are one of this bet
ter class of considerable husbands. you no
doubt at this particular season are some
what puzzled as to what gift you shall
choose to make your wife happiest. In the
hurry and worry of your workaday tasks
you may have neglected to gain eniighten-
ment from the many eloquent and attrac-
tive advertisements and are now suffering
the consequences of that omission. The
task however. is not so difficult as you
imagine. The ingenious brains of the In
ventors, manufacturers and dealers have
devised many things to meet just such an
emergency. and these may be had at rea-
sorable prices for the mere excitement OF
forcing your way through the shopping
crowds.
Since the failure of natural gas and our
return to the more primitive necessity OF
burning coal, one of the most important
FOR IN, hla 3tntenanco Of
the house during the winter Is undoubtedly
the furnace Lack of familiarity with 1t
has probably caused you to overlook this
fact. But your wife has not forgotten 1t,
nor the difficulties attending 1t. Reflect on
this for moment, and you Will readily
understand how delighted she would be and
how thoroughly she would enjoy receiving
as a Christmas gift from you one of those
ladies' coal shovels which are splendid!y
adapted to her needs. These are made IN
the shape of. but much smaller than the
o1d-fashioned barn scoop, so that they VIII
not only go into the furnace door readily,
bu. also do not hold so much coal that she
will strain her back in lifting the load. Any
man that is careful OF his wires heaith-
and what man isn't?-should not neglect to
provide one of these splendid accessories or
weman's health and convenience. The TAX
ing care of the furnace, which was once
toll for her, will become pleasure.
If we had had some snow another sugges-
tion would doubtless have come to you, but
as we have been so fortunately free from
this burden it is quite natural that you
should not have thought about 1t. Doubt
less YOU know that there Is an ordinance
recurring householders to clean off the side
walks by a certain hour. What man with
an iota of pride in his family would wish to
see the wife of his bosom marched off by
burly. policeman for failure to obey this
ordinance? Besidess--he would probably
have all the trouble of going on her bond,
and possibly paying her fine. No matter
how earnest, honest and Industrious wife
may be in making a mans home happy. she
cannot work well without tools. and her
effort to clean off the sidewalks with the
lawn rake and a broom whose long service
has given it a decided twist to one side, Is
burdensome and exhausting Consequently,
after a particularly heavy snow you are
likely to find her tired and irritable when
you return home in the evening from your
pect her smiles and freshness to comfort
and stimulate you. But remember this Is
not wholly her fault: Indeed. 1t Is partly
your own. You should have provided her
with the proper implements. Then she
would greet you with the happy smile OF
one who delights in work well done, as she
pointed to the clear sidewalk and It's con-
comitant immunity from the laws unpleas-
ant grip. With this end in view, why not
make her a Christmas present of one of
those lightly built and handy snow shoyels.
which are. now all the rage in our best So
ciety They come in light-colored woods
with craftsman effects which make them the
delight OF any woman with an industrious
and artistic temperament.
These are only two suggestions, but their
Importance and value must readily impress
you, and If you are one OF those thoughtful
husbands who have already provided such
aids to happy home. doubtless they will
suggest others along similar lines which will
help to brighten the Christmas festival. For