The Washington herald., 1918-05-06
Ve,s Of Interest the Women Readers of The HeraIe
SECOND MARRIAGES
THE WORLDS HIGHEST PAID WOMAN WRITER.
By DOROTHY DIX

do Just what he wants to do. The
woman expects her husband to be q
combination plaster saint and matinee
hero. and when they see each other
in negligee of dress and manners, and
run up against the sharp edges Of
each others temper and selfishneSs.
they suffer agonies OF disillusionmcnt,
and quarrel like Kilkenny cats.
The man and women who have had
previous matrimonial experience DO
not expect too much Of each other.
and do not demand too much Of each
other. They know how to make al
lowances for nerves and tempgra-
ment. and in a subconscious way they
try to atone for the way they treated
number one by treating number two
with extra tenderness and considera-
tion.
Second wives and husbands reap
the fruits OF many a bitter tear of re-
pentance that a man and woman
shed over a still coffined form, and
that's why widows and widowers are
preferred matrimonial risk.
The chief reason. however. why
second marriages are advisable
always provided a man and woman
marry in their own age class-is
because as people get older they
more need the companionship of
some one who belongs to them. Old
people do not readily make new
friends. They do not attract
strangers as do the young and gay.
They are thrown in on those of
their own household for society.
OF course the children virtuously
pat themselves on their breasts and
say mother or father can always
live with us. and we will take care
of her or him, and cherish his or
her old age.
Very kind in children, but the
trouble is that mother or father
doesn't enjoy being put on q shelf
in sons or daughters house. and
exhibited as an antique. Neither
mother or father in these days
wants to be stuck of In the CHM
| ney corner and expected to stay
put Little as children suspect 1t,
parents desire to keep alive as long
as they live and enjoy themselves.
No man or woman who has been
at the head Of q household for the
better part OF q lifetime wants to
play second fiddle in somebody
else's house. Neither do they want
to live around in boarding houses
and hotels. They want q place OF
their own where they can do as
! they please without being chicken
pecked.
And they want companionship, the
companionship Of somebody Of their
own age. somebody whose ideas are
| OF the same vintage, who looks al
life from the same standpoint This
/ companionship they cannot get
from their children. and the resul,
is that the old are often pitiably
lonely in the homes of their sons
and daughters who are really try
ing to do their duty by father OF
mother.
OF course when son or daughter
see father about to marry one lit
tie chicken young enough to be his
! granddaughter. or mother on the
verge of taking a boy husband to
rear. they are right to do anything
possible to stop a folly that is bound
| to end disastrously. but when
mother or father pick out a nice
sensible, suitable mate for their sec.
ond venture. their children should
urge on the good work. 1t is a
happy solution of a difficult situa-
tion.
AS for a second marriage show
ing any disrespect for the memory
of a first husband or wife. that's
The suttee business has gone out
of fashion even in India.
Copyright. 1918. by the Wheeler Syndicate Inc.I