New-York tribune., 1920-04-13
The Perfect Wife
Another Specimen Is Offered
for the Worlds Applause

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: When it comes to any discus
sion of "a Perfect Wife" feel that
have no right to remain silent
My wife keeps house and does all Of
her own work. 1t has been we'll said
that man is growing less mere these
days. but at our house he is still ruled
out of the kitchen. Ny wife loves 10
cook and TO entertain, and she does both
with rare skill. Food is something to
thank God for when she prepares II.
We plan to have a dinner party every
week and ] am always free to bring
friends with me unannounced, privi
lege which l confirm by frequent use;
her special pleasure to have me prove
her with the unexpected guest.
My wife is successful business
woman and believes in bearing fifty
holds $4,000 job, runs a small busi-
ness on the side at a profit of about
$1,000 and gives lectures and writes
magazine articles to lift her total earn
ings to about $4,000 a year. When
have rush season she seems to count
it privilege to come in for couple
of hours each afternoon and speed up
the Office force.
The combination of the business
woman and the housewife I have given
you in reverse order, in order to enjoy
the necessity of explaining how it is
all accomplished; for it is, of course,
the housework that must be fitted
around the business day. Try the other
way about and the business effort is
sure to become sketchy. The secret Is
in two parts. First, my wife holds
five-hour job, which she secured b.
persistent search shortly after we were
married. She refuses all offers Of in
creased pay that would mean longer
hours. Second, she attacks housework
with the same speed and zest with
which she plays handball. She gets
home at about o'clock each after
noon and when arrive two hours later
the apartment is in as perfect order
as though that were her one care.
Lest any one suppose that she Is
merely business womar and cook
hasten to counteract the impression
with some incidental facts which do
not bear directly on her wifeliness'
My wife is a Southern lady, from
family of note. Her father was one o.
the famous railroad builders, her
grandfather United States Senator
and there are two Presidents OF the
United States up her family tree. she
is herself lady Of distinction and
unusual social grace, Of whom 1t -
good to be proud. And, withal, she
very good to look at.
Getting back to economics, we have
an expense budget of $500 a month and
live within the budget. Yet we 1--we
we'll, 60 to the theater or opera about
twice a week, take frequent weekend
trips and spend two months each SUM-
mer in the Adirondacks. .
My wife is fifty-ifty mate twenty
four hours in the day. She is always
full of good cheer, always ready for
good time and willing to help make IL
She is equally glad to go to the opera
or the ball game, to attend an art eS'
hibit or track meet, to play tennis
or read aloud. Life with her is
series Of adventures. We hasten along'
hand in hand, from one enjoyment 70
another; or we linger in some love-!
scene and give more play to senA-
ment, or sit together and make notes
in lfe's margin. Here is one husband
in this world who is very content Win
his lot. If there is any other who mas
a wife to compare with mine l am glao
that the world is so rich.
AN IMPERFECT HUSBAND.
New York, April 10, 1920.