The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-08
DOROTHY DIX TALKS
BY DOROTHY DIX
Worlds Highest Paid Woman Writer
Money and Matrimonial HappIness.-a.

That money brings temptations to
the rich man that the poor man never
knows. goes without saying. In the
first place, if he inherits his money.
it is harder for the camel to go thru
the eye of the needle than for him to
escape being married for his possess
sions. Then, married or single, women
smile upon him who can reward their
Establishments with rich gifts and so
it is that the man who. had he been
poor, would have been permitted to
walk the straight and narrow path of
peace, finds himself the victim of ad
venturesses, simply on account Of his
wealth.
Statistics show that the ratio of di-
vorce is much greater in rich and
fashionable society than among the
poor. This I s ont necessarily imply,
as many seem to suppose. any greater
moral laxness among the rich than
among the poor. Take them man for
man, and woman for woman, the
smart set are probably just as virtuous
and with as high principles as the
bourgeoise who criticize them. There
is doubtless just as much incompati-
bility of temper and uncongeniality of
taste in green grocery circles as there
is in banking circles. The only diff
ference is that the green grocer is
lucky enough not to have time to think
of his domestic misery.
He is SO hard worked trying to
make both ends meet that he hasn't
time to consider whether his wife
represents his ideal of feminine per-
lection or not, while Mrs. Greengroc-
er's thoughts are effectually and per-
manently diverted from yearnings for
a real soul mate by having to get up
and prepare breakfast, and patch her
husbands trousers Insofar, poverty
is the handmaiden of domestic hap
pinesS.
Furthermore, the habit of self in
| diligence is strong upon the rich and
the man and woman who are not used
to doing without anything they want,
are pretty apt not to deny themselves
| a forbidden filtration. But most of all
it is ennui, the desire for fresh sensa-
! lions and fresh amusements, and a
general lack of something to do that
is at the bottom of the domestic in
facilities of the rich. Yon haven't time
| to hunt for affinities or even to know
that you haven't got one when you are
hustling for a living. and that's the
reason that poor people so seldom get
| divorced.
The wisest prayer that was ever
offered to heaven was when the psalm
list exclaimed: Give me neither pow
erty nor riches and this petition
might well be incorporated in the
prayers Of the marriage service. I'm
doubtedlt, the happiest couples are
those where there is neither the wolf
nor the automobile at the door
The very lack of money for amuse-
ments throws a couple on each other
for companionship. They have not the
means for the long European trips and
the summers apart that unconsciu Isly.
but inevitably. wean husband and wife
from each other, for there is a habit in
loving as in other things. and we can
get used to doing without people
Right here, in this particular, is where
narrow means are most a blessing in
disguise. for when a husband and wife
have reached the point that they are
not necessary TO each others happi-
ness. the finest flower of love lies
dead.
Life is full of compensations. ard
the most wonderful and beautiful of
oil is that the beggar may have that
which no money can buy-true and
| diSintaraSfad Lava