The Washington herald., 1908-03-08
BACHELOR GIRL CHAT
STANDING A MAN IN THE CORNER

BY tying theim to the bed-post, / sup
pose, sneered the Mere Man. "or locking
them up in the closet. or taking away
their toys and awakening their childish
interest in simple things. and
And making them think you think
they think they want 10 do what you
want them 10 do" finished the Bachelor
Girl decisively
Nonsense" retorted the Mere Man
mo woman can make man think he
wants TO do what he doesn't want to do.
A man knows what he wants. nowadays" >"
Yes" agreed the Bachelor Girl but
IL he doesn't know you know it. hen be
ashamed te acknowledge 1t. A man
doesn't care half so much whether or not
he has his way as he does whether or
not other people think he has his way.
He is not half so jealous OF his rights as
he is OF his dignity; and it's his dignity
that the wife who hurls questions and
commands and invectives at him hits.
But the one who takes for granted that
her husband Is the soul Of honor and
wouldn't gamble nor drink nor deceive
her, and Is dying to spend his money
and his time on her. win find him trying
70 live up 20 her opinion OF him before
long. And the woman who takes for
granted that every man she meets is
going 10 fall in love with her is pretty
apt 70 have them all doing H. Haven't
you ever seen n snip of girl with dough-
colOred hair and fTeckles and a silly nose.
who had more flowers and attentions
and sweethearts than any other girl in
her set? And haven't you ever seen a
wife without a redeeming feature or an
original thought whose husband believed
her Venus and a Minerva combined
just because she expected him tor
It's Christian Science" murmured the
Mere Man In an awe-struek tone.
IT'S the science Of managing a man."
retorted the Bachelor Girl "The wife
who is always wondering whether she Is
getting all the devotion that is due her
and doubling whether her husband Is
telling her the truth or not is very sure
to find those doubts growing into strong.
black realities, and then-and then it's
time 10 put him in the corner"
But just think of the shock TO the
husband" pleaded the Mere Man, flicking
his cane Tesentfully.
"What?f
"Of how he feels when nagging wife
suddenly stops nagging, and Of the cold
shivers IL gives him when he lodges a
flying remark or whizzing plate 10 put
up his hand and find there's nothing
lneFe. IL y efrle.
Yes" said the Bachelor Girl, "and It's
so disappointing 10 his vanity 10 see that
she doesn't care enough. about him any
longer 10 question him or wrangle with
him or 10 bother about where he goes or
what he does, or how long he stays away.
or what his opinion on anything happens
to be. But" and she waved her nun
expressiveiy. when a man fights for
plenty Of rope wise woman will give
him so much rope that hell get all tan
gled up in II and come around pleading
for her 20 cut the knots and put him on
four-foot leash. so that he can't get
into any more trouble"
Perhaps" sighed the Mere Man, but
Il must be an awful strain
"On the rope-or the man?"
"On the woman" corrected the Mere
Man, ito keep from saying all those
pleasant little things that burn your
tongues IL you don't say them and our
ears II you do"
1T is sighed the Bachelor Girl, with
her cheek Oh her muff. but it's worth
it, and it makes her feel so good after
ward"
''To see her husband standing I'm the
corner?"
Yes. and 10 remember all the things
T.. I
we always feel better over the mean
things we refrain from saying IN a quar-
rel than we do over the ones we blurted
Out?'
Il don't know" replied the Mere Man
with dignity. II never quarrel
"Wha-" The Bachelor Girl stopped
short and shut her lips tightly
You know 1 don'tr' declared the Mere
Man with his head in the air.
The Bachelor Girl looked thoughtfully
out over the line OF passing carriages and
smiled.
If you are thinking" began the Mere
Man. nettled al her expression, "of that
last little-er-that last time you began
it yourself"
The Bachelor Girl turned and regarded
him enigmatically through her lashes.
And you said all the spiteful and un-
kind things and gave me the nastiest
digs. and-why. you actually owned you
we're at fault and begged my pardon
afterward.'
The Bachelor Girl dropped her eyes and
smoother her muff gently
Stop it,, cried the Mere Man
q 'Stop--whst. Mr.. Porter - INQUIRED the
Bachelor Girl sweetly.
Smoothing your muff and patting me
on the back and getting me all tangled
up in my argument and looking at me. as
II you wished you could give me a spoon
ful OF soothing syrup, and taking away
my toys and my self-respect. Why don't
you say something"
Isn't it-windy?'' remarked the Rache-
lor ulrl accommodatingly.
oh, hang," exclaimed the Mere Man
laughing in spite of himself. I'm give in.
II was all my fault and I'm A brute and
you're the cleverest, sweetest"
What are you trying 10 say, Mr.. Por-
teri broke in the Bachelor Girl coldlv
Now / lay me down for you TO walk
over, replied the Mere Man. with a
sheepish grin. Now. can 1 come out of
my corner
But the Bachelor Girl only leaned over
and patted his arm gently.
You silly old goosel'' she said softly.