Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-02-11
The Mn-LaWS" and Marital
Duties

1 have a letter from a dear little wo-
man who is worn out with in-laws."
She asks, do you think it is my duty to
be obliged to wait on my husbands peo-
pie so much when I have so much to
do for my own family? They stay when
they come long time-never think Of
turning a hand to do a blessed thing
while they put up at our house and
some have stayed six months at a time
His wife's people must stay away, be-
cause there would be no room for them,
if they came and we are all the time
strained because it takes so much to
feed the overgrown family"
This is a very serious business. don't
cafe how you look at 1t. This little wo-
man has grown weary and maybe little
sour over the situation, and it Is pretty
well understood that one house is never
large enough to hold pleasantly more
than one family in reasonable comfort
But there are times when a man must
take care of a sick or aged parent. and
then the house should be large enough
to give such parents a shelter from cold
or from poverty. A sensible man or wo-
man can understand such necessities and
will try to bear the burden in proper
spirit, although II may be a burden and
sometimes heavy one to be encountered
with disagreeable people.
But there should be proper respect
shown to both husband and wife and
proper consideration for the sacrifice
they are each making to perform this
duty to their parents.
There can be no sense or reason in
having able-bodied kinspeople come in
and stay six months at a time when
there is a living to make and family
to support, especially when they are
deadheads or non-helpers.
I hope the poor little wife may see
them safely depart and give her mind
and body a surcease Of fretting and an
noyance.
am asked also by correspondent to
say what 1 think about a husbands
failure to give presents to his wife. as
soon as he marries her, after he has
been profuse in gifts during counting
time.
OF course he should remember the
good little soul who gave him herself-to
make sure she gave him all she had to
give, and 1 really think husbands are
too often careless on this very point
sometimes from the feeling that he has
given himself the most important thing
in life that he had to give her. and that
presents are not necessary after mar
riage, etc.
If 1 had to write out a code of mari
tai etiquette at any time of life, | would
say first: BE most polite in your at
tentions to your wife or your husband.
and If either are pleased or expect pres
ents on anniversary or holiday occasions,
strain a point II you must. and remem-
Der them with pleasant little reminders"
think am fairly well acquainted with
what a wife and mother appreciates most
highly, in husband and children, and 1t
lies nearest to showing her appreciation
and sympathy no matter how the work
is done. If 1t requires a present to show
your wife how valuable she is to you,
be sure to get the present. if you sell
something to buy it with, but she only
wants an evidence of your appreciation
and sympathy. and you will, If you try.
soon learn what will best please her,
and the quickest and easiest way is TO
make her feel eery day in the week
that she is too near to your heart to
wound her feelings or impose unneces-
sary burdens upon her. What / say to
husbands in this connection is equally
good for wives The whole secret OF
welded happiness lies in mutual conf
dence and respect for each other. Little
misunderstanding will come up so long
as human nature is what it is, but If they
love each other even as good friends
they can so explain themselves as 10
clear away doubts and difficulties. A
friend sends me a bit of verse, that
comes in we'll just here: