The Washington herald., 1907-11-04
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIE w

Since real and lasting affection is so
rare in this world, it seems a pity that
those who find il cannot be left TO it's en-
joyment But there are meddling fathers
and mothers, and officious brothers and
sisters, and unions which offer every
chance Of being all the Creator intended
are rudely broken up by persons who
ought to have better sense.
Happiness IS the very core Of existence,
yet we miss it so often that suicide seems
comfortable answer 10 all perplexities.
In some cases il comes from Insignificant
sources and is appreciated. In other
places it is perpetually sought by means
of lavish expenditures in time strength.
and money, and found occasionally. In
rare instances it descends unawares. and
that is Just the time when outsiders con-
slider il necessary to interfere
II is hard 70 have ones pet schemes
overthrown, but a child's happiness
should precede any plan however cher
ished, and when that happiness is found
in the society of another person there
should be no alternative but the sup
preston of all displeasure and disap-
pointment. Marrying 20 suit outsiders is
not a palatable task or one calculated to
bring even a slight degree Of satisfac-
tion. and although parents are wholly
competent TO pick out material aids TO
comfort, they bungle dreadfully when
they undertake the management OF heart
affairs.
! II is the acme of meanness 90 throw
money into the scales against affection,
to tempt weak human nature by Offering
golden prizes for the sacrifice of affection
and the misery it inhicts upon innocent
/ persons. l think that / would be ashamed
/ Of son who could be won from the al
/ legiance he owes TO the woman who took
I his name OF the daughter who was not
/ willing to stand by an honorable man,
/ even If he did not have dollar, but
| there are parents who do not mind such
| lapses from honor. apparently. since they
are willing TO be the instruments Of
meanness.
| I have in mind a woman with a mar
/ riageable brother who provides a pretty
home Of which he is the head and Of
whom she keeps continual watch lest
some young woman catches his fancy.
She has nipped a few roInances in the
/ bud and made him corrcspondingly un-
| comfortable, and she has few peaceful
moments because she lives I'm continual
/ dread of having TO pass the reins Of gov
| ernment over TO another. There Nigh,
/ be happiness for both If she were more
/ amiable. because the house Is large
! enough for a good-SiZed family. and the
/ man has the requisites Of a good hus-
/ band and ought not TO be condemned 10
| celibacy.
! There are hundreds Of such cases in
/ the world. hundreds Of selfish women
and quite as many selfish men. They
would probably resent any interference
| with their own rights and privileges.
4 but see nothing amiss in their desire 70
| run the affairs of others. Elder sisters
/ are sacrificed by dying parents TO the
/ interests OF brothers and sisters and
/ widowed fathers and mothers are barred
! from second marriages by their unrea-
| sonable offspring who are actUated by
/ greed or selfshness.
| We need a few lessons in the art OF
\ letting people alone. Of allowing them
/ 10 manage their own affairs We have
/ quite enough 10 do In keeping our own
/ house in order, and when we NEEDLE
I with outside matters affairs at home
are bound 20 suffer. Happiness Is the
goal for which We strive, and We some
/ times overlook the surest way 10 it.
/ Women in particular willfully turn their
/ backs upon methods that promise fairly
| and do things which ordinary sense
warns them is sure % have disastrous
/ results. Compulsory allegiance cannot
/ be very gratifying, yet all sorts Of means
| are resOTted 10 in order 10 secure an
! unwilling faith when other ways would
/ bring a degree Of peace, at least Do
YOU believe that sons and daughters bear
| muck affection fOr the parents who de-
/ libeIStely destroy their happiness2 I
/ know some instances where they do not
] BETTY BEADEEN.