Arizona republican., 1909-10-31
The Model Husband.

The Model Husband.
 That the minds of women are not altogether taken up with questions affecting the privilege of voting. and that the domestic side of life still in- terests a considerable number. may be gathered from the news coming from various sources to the effect that the effort to describe the model husband is engaging the attention of not a few earnest women. Within a week the topic, The Model Husband" has been discussed by gatherings of ladies at Chicago and at Philadelphia, and a glance at letters in our exchanges shows that the subject is a live one in many sections of the country.
 It would seem, on first thought. that any discussion of the subject in detail-that is. from the standpoint of personal experience-would have its disadvantages for truthful wives. Any exchange of views must logically in clude personal experiences; and the relation thereof by conscientious wives would compel a jury to conclude that "model' is only a relative description and that the really model husband does not exist.
 The Chicago symposium was called a husband show," although the bene- diets were not on exhibition person. ally, and was the third annual event of the kind in that city. A MT. sam uel w Van Nastran was awarded the blue ribbon, because, according to his wife. he is: Prompt at meals; a good entertainer; an adept with the chafing dish; good judge of feminine beauty; generous and kind hearted; enjoys home more than the club; is happiest among friends, and above all else, allows his wife to carry the family pocketbook, and pronounces his wife's cooking better than that of his mother" In addition to this list Of attractions, he has another, and there for was awarded a supplemental prize for his ability to sew on buttons. Most men will be inclined to jeer at some of these virtues. Promptness at meals, for example, is most nOtat .e among the men who permit their wives to earn the meals. The laZiest man is likely to be the best enter tainer. The prize winner may be an adept with the chafing dish and at the same time an adept in shoulder ing his way to the front in the busy affairs down town, but if so he is an exception. To be a good judge Jf feminine beauty is gift of dubious merit. Most wives, We fancy. would just as soon have their husbands lacking in expertness in this regard No fault can possibly be found, how ever. with the fact that he is 'geE- erous and kind hearted" that he pre- fers home to the club, and that he allows his wife to carry the pocket book And maybe Mir Van Nastran is really a model in all respects. not withstanding some of the distinctly feminine traits attributed to him. Ii goes without question, though. th4; men exactly like the Chicago prize winner are as scarce as the snakes of Ireland
 The Philadelphia gathering of wives was also a competitive recital of the good qualities of their respective hus- bands-not a theoretical discussion like those in some other cities, of the ideal model husband. It is evident therefore. that in Chicago and Phila- delphia, at least, the problem has been taken up in a practical way-by les the recitals of experiences draw heav- fly upon ones credulity. The prize winner at Philadelphia was the last on the list. His wife was unable tc name a long list of virtues. She said simply, and with no thought of get ting the prize. My husband is ai- ways good humored before break fast" With one accord the assem- bIed wives pronounced her husband the true model.
 And properly, doubtless.