St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1920-11-27
A Model Husband
BY RALPH HAMILTON

20. 1920. Western Newspaper Union.)
"A good provider is an ideal hus-
band," declared Mrs. Helen Bliss,
"and the making Of one depends on
the f1rmness and common sense OF the
wife. Some women aim to be the
boss They therefore reach for an
empty distinction that brings nothing
but a name. My theory has been I'd
be a guide, to watch the husband
closely, to act with decision without
the husband guessing it."
Thus to her caller, young Mrs. Cora
Ballin, bride of year, whose mind
was always open for suggestion and
advice. Mrs. Bliss went into details:
''In the same way look to all my
rights and quietly enforce them. i
have trained my husband to perfec-
ton. No husband wishes to allow his
wife all the money she needs-nOt
that they are stingy, but they fix the
certain amount for household ex-
penses they think the wife should
have. and she drudges along all the
rest Of her life on the same old mig
gardly basis. When I have found 1t
fight squeezing have Just helped my
SELF"
''What do you mean by helping
yourself, Mrs. Bliss7' inquired Cora
artlessly.
''Oh, well, the average husband is
careless Of his money. He carries IL
in his pockets half the time, not
knowing how much he has. You know
nearly all the men folks who amount
to anything belong to the town club"
"Yes," nodded Cora.
"It Is costly. They have expensive
suppers and special functions where
they play cards and the like. while we
poor women have to scrape and save
to buy bit Of flnery for a call or q
party. Well, began to notice some
time since that Robert would come
from the club feeling unusually pleas
ant, and. ! found out by clever ques-
tioning that he had been winner"
isn't that gambling?" inquired
Cora breathlessly.
"The men don't call 1t so. They term
It lucky strike. Well, on one Of these
occasions I investigated Roberts
pockets There was a great roll Of
bills in his coat. I helped myself to
half Of his winnings"
"Dear! dearl How innocent and in
experienced you are" merely laughed
Mrs. Bliss. you'll learn in time,
you'll learn"
Cora did not fancy the prediction.
nor did she like the suggestion Of un-
derhandedness. In two Instances after
that she heard younger wives than
Mrs. Bliss discuss the same equivocal
method cold bloodedly, as If it were an
Inherent right for helpmeet to make
all out of a husband she could.
Now Cora had no knowledge what
ever that her husband. Walter, en-
gagged In anything more fragrant than
game Of cards at the club to pass a
pleasant hour, but gradually her SEN
sibility as to the matter Of forced
contribution Of the husbands spare
cash became less acute. One evening
Walter brought home with him to din
ner visitor to the club, man OF
some business prestige and imper-
tance. They removed their overcoats
at the hall rack. A pleasant hour
passed by and after the meal, passing
through the hall, Cora observed Wal
ter's gloves lying on the floor beneath
the overcoats.
She restored them to pocket, but
as she did so her hand came in con-
tact with roll of bills. For over a
week she had been contriving how to
spare little money for a new hat.
Temptation assailed her. Doubtless
Walter carried in that loose manner
the money represented by card earn
ings at the club. She duttered and
hesitated.
"I'll take it." she determined, though
uneasily. "Then If Walter makes any
comment /, will make playful jest
Of it."
Cora pocketed the money, secretly,
guiltily. The time came for the guest
to depart. As Walter helped him on
with his -overcoat their. visitor gE0ped