The Irish standard., 1908-02-01

the famous "Flitch Of DunmoW" was
instituted as a reward to be given to
the fortunate couple who could swear
on the steps of Dunmow
Church-that during the first year
they had never had a. disagreement.
Although the prize was instituted in
the twelfth century. it is asserted that
frequently years pass without any
claimants appearing, and when III
last December at the annual distribu-
tion three couples appeared to claim
their fitch it was looked upon as so
unusual and SURPRISING that the peo-
pie of the parish expressed the opin-
ion that the millennium must be
about to begin,
Married people often confess that
the first year was the least happy Of
their united life. SO many peculiari
ties that are not much in evidence
during courtship gradually show
themselves, and only by mutual for
bearance and gentleness can these
things be overcome. Once these have
been adjusted the chances are that
the young couple settled down to a
peaceful existence in which, if SOY
rows or trials come, they are torne
bravely and serve but to draw them
more closely together. But, unfortu-
nately, there are some women who
never learn forbearance, and every
fresh discovery that their husband is
less perfect than they fancied him to
be is regarded by them as 81 crime
and made the occasion Of long and
bitter accusations. One scene Ike this
is sure to lead to another, and soon
not a day passes that the unhappy
wife does not berate her husband
about something or other. That the
most ardent affection soon dies un-
der such storms Of temper is little
wonder; and that men can put up
with it and not find effectual means
to silence the unruly tongue is n
marvel to everybody not similarly af-
ficted.
From the feeling way in which King
Solomon alludes several times to "con.
tentious" or nagging women. com.
pairing them to a continual dropping
OH a very rainy day." it is plainly to
be seen that the subject was often
in his thoughts, for when he is not
openly complaining, as in the above
quotation. he says: Better is 6: dry
morsel with quietness than a house
full Of sacrifices with strife" AMI
again. ut is better to dwell in a. Wild
erness than with a contentious and
angry woman" Many a. man has ut
tered sigh of understanding and
sympathy as he read or listened to
those words; and not a few have
echoed Rip Van Wrinkles sentiment
regarding the silent apparitions Of the
Catskill mountains that IL they had a
sister what fine wife she would
make. No doubt this very feeling was
1T the bottom of the sympathy every
one felt for the vagabond Rip when,
according to all justice. 1t should have
been with his ill-used wife, Katrina.
The nagging habit is pad enough
when it expends itself up"n grown
people who should be able to defend
themselves: but it is infinitely worse
when children become the victims Of
Z woman's nervousness or Ill temper.
How pitiful is the life Of a child who
lives in an atmosphere of constant
fault-finding and repression, to whom
the word don't is said scores OF
times each day. In a room1u! of chill
dren 1t is not difficult TO pick out
those who have this kind Of home
life; and hard indeed must be the
heart of a woman who is not moved
by their expression to restrain her
inclination to scold. Upon the streets
and In public conveyances one some-
LIHleS IHdFkS lDc Sullen or else the
rebellious expression on a child's face
when the mother speaks to 1t: and 1t
is easy to see that fear and not love
is the controlling influence in the
home from which they come. Even if
a child be blessed with so flne a dis
position that 1t is not entirely ruined
by this kind Of bringing up It will
carry with 1t through life anything but
happy memories OF childhood. and the
words home and mother will have
very different associations to what
they should have.
His Choice.