The Washington herald., 1908-05-14
FROM WOMAN'S
POINT OF VIE "


The women who are eternally sighing
for wealth need to have their attention
called to the lessons found almost daily
IN the wrecked lives OF women who have
helped husbands TO acquire fortunes or
married men with tnheritances and moth
ing 10 demand their attention save what
appeals to their fancy. There Is a host Of
things better than wealth, and az the
head Of the list IS the undivided heart Of
the mate one chooses for life.
Usually the hard worker who finds at
least two ways in which he ought to
spend every dollar he gets has no
thoughts outside his family and his work.
More than that, he possesses no attrac-
ton for the class OF women who will not
work, but must live and mean 70 do that
In the best possible style. Directly a
workingman rises from the ranks, and
the world hears of Il, there Is trouble
looming in the distance. unless he hap
pens TO be OF the faithful sort, whom
fiattery cannot reach. And the average
man Is not that.
Last winter I was heartsick over the
number Of wrecked homes which came to
my notice. Some Of the families I knew
and many of the causes were matters Of
public gossip. In ten cases the aequisi-
ton of wealth had changed the man,
bringing to the surface a hitherto un-
suspected vein Of vanity which the hand
Of a clever woman had turned to her own
account. In all but two cases the wife
did not even have the consolation Of a
money settlement. but was obliged TO
leave luxury behind and strike out for
herself with the knowledge that another
was enjoying the good things which were
hers by right.
II is the fashion to yearn for riches,
and while doing It we are passing over
the many blessings fate has given us.
Money cannot replace a good husband and
children, and comfort has a limit which
money cannot affect. a shelter against
weather and food. fuel and clothing
in moderation are the ambitions of all
normal persons. are the comforts which
make health Of body and peace Of mind.
A good digestion and the ability to sleep
are the property of the poor rather than
the rich man. and with affection there Is
nothing lacking 10 reasonable happiness.
There are many little luxuries which are
| Observation-Disclosures, amusements, books,
and music.
There is always good music to be found
| in church. and good books abound in pub
| lie Libraries. The less one has the less
care and responsibility one must bear.
A contented man created much surprise
| by declaring that he never had the least
desire to own one of the beautiful pic
lures in which he reveled in galleries.
| He realized that possession would mean
care, and after satisfying his senses by
/ prolonged contemplation Of beauty, he
could go home care-free and repeat his
visit the next day. If he chose. Listen
/ to the comments by a crowd of women
who have been attracted by a gorgeous
window display of frocks and things.
Usually there is no tinge OF longing in
| the admiration they express. They ap-
! preciate the beauty Of the articles, but
are sensible TO the fact that in their sim
/ pie lives there is no place for such rich
Eess. Would they not be silly to culti-
vate a desire for opportunities TO wear
| those garments?
BETTY BRADEFN