The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-10-04
JIMMIE
A "PLAIN" HUSBAND
BY ELsIE ovNLeR.


Jeanette. looking very mournful
and wearing q long face, came and
threw herself on the grass at my
feet.
whats the matter now, child?"
I inquired. as l bit of the end Of q
thread that simply would not go
through the needles eye.
She did not answer me for a min.
ute or two; just leaned her head
against my knee and let her clasped
hands fall in her lap. and then:
cousin Bess, do you think Jimmie
IL awfully plain?"
plain? Jimmie awfully plain?
Why, what on earth do you mean?"
That time the thread did go in the
eye of my needle, but I stuck both
needle and thread in my work, for I
knew it was useless to try to sew
when Jeanette wanted to talk to me
aboue Jimmie. But this was the limit.
Jimmie plain!
mo, indeed, I don't think him plain.
Whatever made you ask such a fool
fish question. child? You are not get.
ting tired Of Jimmie, I hope!"
Tired of Jimmie-oh, Cousin Bess,
you know I'm not; I love him with
all my heart, and, of course, l think
him handsome; but Edith Samuels
said she didn't see how I ever came
to marry such a plain man."
We'll, what did you tell herr"
Il didn't answer. I was too angry
I just turned away from her and went
over to Mrs. Simpson and helped her
make tea; but l can't help wondering
IL all the girls think Jimmie is a
plain man."
MY darling little co.," and here I
leaned over and kissed her shining
golden hair. "You know as we'll as I
do that Jimmie could hardly be called
a beauty. His lose is too long and too
large for that. His ears do stand out
a trifle too much and his mouth is
perhaps a bit too wide for perfect
symmetry: but-well, even il he is
a bit plain In looks, what does 1t mat
ter? Is he not q kind husband and a
good man?"
eyes. indeed, Cousin Bess; but
sometimes I wish he was better look
ing!"
+ Nov, see here, Jeanette, all won.
en- are beauty lovers and idealists.
Where the eye adores the heart is
very apt to follow-for a time. But
when it comes to choosing a husband.
a life partner, most women are wise
enough to place more value on other
qualities than beauty in a man. and
we'll for them that they do. Beauty
in a man., as a rule, does not make
for the traits of character that in
sure a success Of married life"
"Yes, I know. But, oh, I hate to
have other people think Jimmie plain"
stop saying it. you foolish child.
Stop thinking it, even: put it out of
your hear. Your friend Miss Samueis
has not been able to get a husband of
her own. most likely for the reason
that she says disagreeable things
about other girls husbands. Sour
grapes. I call It,"
But, Cousin Bess-"
mot a word, I will not listen to an.
other word. 1t is the homely qualities
hidden behind the homely features
that bring happiness to the mans
lucky wife. You know Jimmie tries
to make you happy"
Yes, he does. He's kind and sweet
and good to me-"
Handsome features too often spoil
a man, or at least the amount of
feminine attention they attract does
that for him. The strikingly good.
looking husband is very often a fail.
ure. When he mingles with men and
women. especially the women. he will
nearly always put on airs, like a proud
old peacock. for the benefit Of strange
eyes. and his poor little wife Is left
neglected In a corner.
Jimmie takes the best of are Of
you, dear. He provides you with every
comfort in life and a few Of the luxu.
ries. He is a c~lean-thinking. upright
man; a good citizen, possessing far
more than ordinary intellectual abil.
ity: gentle in manner and speech and,
best of all, loving his little wife with
all the great love in his manly heart.
Jimmie may be plain looking. but he
will not remain that way long. His
good qualities will prevent that"
"Oh, Cousin Bess, I'm so glad !
told you what Edith said. It has
worried me. worried me. But now
see It all so differently. You al.
ways do help me. dear. NJ matter what
my trouble is. Jimmie is not plain.
His soul is positively beautiful. and ]
shall always see that shining through
his dear eyes.
The little lady kissed me. and. with
. happy laugh. ran back to her house.
hold duties. while I resumed my Dew
ing. thinking how little physical beau.
II counted In this busy world.
California wornan's Good Shot.