The Washington herald., 1913-11-04

That is exactly what some of us hope
when We expect friends. kinfolk, or
others to change into something quite
different, just at our bidding.
And perhaps that accounts for some
OF the disappointments in life.
Perhaps it does when 1t happens, as
often it does, that a sedate, thoughtful
man, with rather literary leanings and
a decided fondness for quiet hour or
so of serious talk, marries a pretty
little slip Of a girl. with nothing serious
about her. To her. the kind of books
that he likes are nothing but musty. old
volumes: and the thoughts that fill his
head are meaningless, dull, and i'm
possible.
She loves to array herself in purple
and fine linen, and draw close to the
harmless. glittering swing of life; and
It is not i'm her to grow any different
But he hopes. For awhile he follows
her about. looking forward to the day
when. perhaps, she may be glad to mold
her life just a bit after his, pleased to
settle down to his scheme Of living But
when he gradually tones down to his
old mode of life and begins to talk of
the things that appeal to, his more seri-
Gus. broader mind. the dear little girl
scarcely knows what he means. and can
not even assume an interest
He is surprised that he cannot arouse
her slumbering thoughts, amazed that
she shows no desire to follow him out
in the wider ways, but prefers her own
little foolish pursuits. Perhaps she
honestly tries to subdue her choice Of
ways and to like the things that give
him pleasure. But what can she do?
For there's her gay. shallow, little
nature that cannot be coaxed from it
self, try as hard and as well as she
may.
And has he a right to be surprised
or disappointed? She is the same pretty
little girl that she was in the days when
he reckoned only with her playful ways
and the charm that dwell on the sur
face. And why should he expect her TO
grow any different?
1t is said that, in the long run, men
and women of quite opposite tempera-
ments are the most likely to live in
harmony through fair and cloudy
weather. because the enc supplies what
the other lacks and the contrast fur
nishes just the right touch Of piquancy
or something or other. =
II
pute the very wise or experienced But
some Of US, neither wise nor experienced
at all. are bold enough to say that when
the day comes that mind calls to mind
and must fall back upon itself because.
there is no response, a sorry awakening
is bound to follow. For who wants to
run away from home to learn the real
meaning of comradeship. where mutual
and minds with much in COM
mon make the going more than passing
pleasant? And when communion can
go so far and not one step farther, what
happens then?
But 1t is not fair to select one kind
Of mind at the start and expect it to
go on changing and changing until il
Is lost to its original self and Is merged
into the self of another. 1t is not fair.
and disappointment is sure to follow.
One sometimes believes that the rea-
son few men have gotten it into their
heads that women are Illogical and not
At all deep or broad In their thoughts
IS because they take their standards from
the women they chose above all the
world as companions. to be with them on
the glad days, the sad days, the thought-
hui and the worried.
Because Il certainly is true that there
are few men who believe that women
never climb very high and are incapable
of climbing; and equally true that the
women in their homes. If typical of the