The Washington herald., 1908-07-04
FROM WOMANS
POINT OF VIEW.

A company to furnish dowries for East
Side girls in New York has been estab-
lished on such a unique basis that its
success is problematical- That a similar
plan has been successful in London GER
talnly does not warrant certainty, al
though hope is drawn from the fact that
the girls for whom the company is
established are of foreign birth or par
entage. But they are transplanted TO a
country where the dowry does not figure.
A dowry is a fine beginning for mar
ried life, but I see no good reason for
passing II over to a husband. A man is
mighty lucky to get a good wife without
penny. and II she goes TO him with
full hands he has just so much more for
which to be grateful. even though she
claims voice in the disposal OF her
property. Many a bride supplies the
home and all its furnishings and many
more carry to their new life a large
variety of useful articles which save the
bridegroom a respectable sum " money.
That is all the dowry an American hus-
band expects.
I have heard several prosperous men
attribute their good fortune TO the nest
egg supplied by the wife. not money
necessarily, but articles which made a
home possible. Women used 20 be thrifty
and girls were taught 10 save money
for a trousseau and make articles for
personal wear and housekeeping long be-
fore suitors appeared. Generally would
be husbands were expected to do quite
as much, and poverty was uncommon.
Nowadays brides are often indebted 10
their husbands for the clothes in which
they are married, as well as everything
pertaining 10 their new life. These are
American brides. mark you.
Foreign blood is said TO assert itself
rather strongly where a change OF coun-
try has not meant a complete change OF
customs and habits. Girls who have to
work for smell wages cannot save much
IN this extravagant country, so husbands
are not easy 20 find. The company that
will supply dowries in such cases is the
good fairy that smooths the matrimonial
path. but it expects the bride-to-be 10
do something in return for its good offices.
II probes the character Of the man and
decides upon his suitability as a partner,
and imposes a small tax upon the woman
who secures him. a tax that expands
into a suitable sum for the beginning OF
the new life. But this is the unfortunate
feature of 1.-THE money passes into the
keeping of the bridegroom, to be used
as ne pleases. and sometimes men spend
money in ways that do not benefit their
wives the least little bit.
The average woman Is a very good Gus
todian of the family purse Wage-earn-
ers who pass over the weeks earnings 70
the mother Of their children generally
know that the money viii be laid out
To the best advantage. The others see II
| tiwindle away without securing the de-
/ sired results. The best arrangement
ever knew was an equal division Of what
money remained after the household eX-
| penses were looked after and a rivalry
/ In the matter OF saving. Women have
made splendid records in such contests.
| The day for keeping women short q
money because OF a belief that they do
not know how to use it has gone by
Women are making such rapid strides in
business that men are sometimes glad %
form partnerships with them. They are
| discovering a host OF ways IN which "a
turn a dollar into two dollars or a little
more. Very careful ones do not confine
themselves to one venture. but have a
side project 10 serve as an anchor 20 wind
ward. Nine Calve, who has gone into
the wine-making business. is an example
She is still able TO earn a fabulous salary
with her musical and dramatic gifts. bat
when they fail her. she VIII have some
thing else TO absorb her attention. Nine
Nordica Is 10 have a temple OF music
you know. and there are several actresses
who have paying farms and conserva-
tories. who raise poultry for the market
and supply high-grade dairy products
| Wise women are they.
BETTY BRADEEN.