The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-11
THE UNPUNCTUAL WIFE
BY MARY CHAMPION.

Unpunctuality is a gin TO which
few of us mind confessing. We admit
1t with a laugh and rather resent be-
ing blamed for it,
Yet, l wonder what other petty
fault can cause SO much inoonven-
kience and unhappy discussion
The queer thing about our slavery
to unpunctuai habits is that they
cut both ways Some-the very unset
fish---would not mind suffering per-
sonal Inconvenience SO long a. no one
else were affected.
The commonly selfish might not
bother about other people, were their
own way untToubled and smooth.
But the way OF the habitually I'M
punctnsl person 10 in a world where
no roads meet--whers friends slip by
unrecognized-wher pleasures are
missed. and wretched little Jars and
hindrances crop up all day long.
| Out OF bed little too late In the
morning. scramble In dressing (the
result. untidiness)--cotd tea for
| breakfasts rush to catch the train
for an early appointment.
Consequences--mi train, G
friend kept waiting. has'y words and
recrfni1nations. and uussa tisf Glory
mornings shopping.
Another friend To meet for a mat
! inee--you miss her altogether and
60 alone, feeling wretehed--~and ar
rive halfway through the first act
Falling in with q party of acquain-
tances afterwards. you stay with them
ehsttering. untih-soo iase-you re-
| member the d,nner-ho fixed early
! because a dance liz to follow. which
you expect In End very enjoyable.
But after dinner. more chatter-until
somebody suddenly exclaiuis. Surely
il is time for YOU TO run away and
dress?"
! II is more than time. but. as usual
when one 10 late. your hair turns
rebelIious and refuses to be done
up" nicely. Two hooks are missing
from your bail dress--and there. you
forgot TO purchase a new pair Of
| rgoves this morning The maid must
mend these old ones-a pity they are
not quito clean
Under these conditions you arrive
late at the dance. feeling n perfect
| rag" and do not enjoy yourself In
TIM least.
These are only few Of tbs thorus
that beset the path OF the unpunctuas
woman--thorns for her own unwilling
<eet
When it comes 70 the worries she
occasions other people. the lis;
mounts up indefinitely.
With an unpunctusl house m 9th er
II IL little Of a home for the family
Meals never ready when they are
Manifestations made to feel them
selves unweicome-no discipline for
the servants
An unpunctual man--trouhle at
home, and probably failure In bust
ness. think IL IS an indisputahle fact
that anyone destitute Of the sense Of
punctuantv cannot have really good
! head for business.
Then tho wife, What a tragedy II
may he 10 an energetic. ambitious
man II hts wife Is unpunotuai day
after dsv In things big and little
Yes. nothing less than tragedy.
for II means that his whole life Ia
disorganized. and II his time be much
occupied. II may happen that he loses,
through her, many a chance OF pleas
ure and relaxation. besides occasions
OF graspirg success by the forelock
and getting on in the world.
have young stock broker IN rrv
mind at the moment. who devotes his
evenings 20 a special study that, In
course OF time. ought TO bring him
money and fame. This means that he
has very little time to spare for
usement, and such time he prefers
to devote to his wife--a pretty pleas
ure-loving little person, who resents
being left to her own devices
But she throws endless difficulties
in his way through his vexatious hat,it
Of unpunctuality. Say no arrenges
10 meet her in the city after leaving
his Office. In all probability, she VIII
keep him hanging about for @ precious
half hour.
He promises TO call for her at
friend's--this means that ne must
wait while she exchanges lingering
fsrewells. and starts half a dozen
new topics OF conversation. while he
frets and fumes in the doorway
Then. at last--home late. disap-
pointed and out of sorts~-wife angry
with herself and unwilling TO admit
Husband trying not to blame her
for the vested hours. but unable to
keep some sharp words from escap-
! ing him.
Result quarrel. tears. and a
| weary feeling that life IL not all it
| might be. and marriage far from
| ideal
What fr tho renedy for this wretch