The Washington times., 1928-11-03
Fam Gus Writer
Gives Advice
to Wives
By Beatrice Fairfax
An Authority on Problems OF Love
and Marriage

THRIVING from the hack seat.
- There's a phrase you will not
find in any dictionary, yet what
worlds Of meaning it conveys,
especially to married couples who.
go out together in the family fliv-
yer on fine Saturday and Sunday
afternoons-and that classification.
includes most married couples
nowadays.
Usually, both the Mr.. and Mrs.
ere good drivers, but, either of
the two who happens to be at the
wheel receives endless advice,
both sought and unsought, from
the l1elpmate in the other seat.
tesreat dav Tor driver ex.
claims Mr.. Jack, anliably, taking
deep breaths of the crisp. mellow
cir Of a perfect November after
noon as he guides the car from
the garage out onto the main
roadway.
Jack, how mean of YOU.
eoueals Mrs. Jack. You know
you made that sharp turn just to
on two wheels
Worry you? That's good. re
forts Mr.. Jack. didn't even
know YOU were i'm existence.
drove to one side to avoid the hole
IN the road.
.HorrOrs!'' screams Mrs. Jack.
.syou mustn't speed so. Jack.
When we passed that car I'm
positive we were going 30 miles
an hour.
BY this time Mrs. Jacks face
Is screwed up into what might be
called her motoring EXPRESSION
fr0wn OF distinct disapproval.
Jacks jaw Is also set with deter
mination to drive recklessly as
the law allows, and then some.
just TO prove he is not ruled by
petticoats. Only Baby is enjoying
the trip. She drifts to sleep IN
her hammock. which is slung in
the hack of the coach.
Long and frugally MIR. and Mrs.
Jack saved TO make a first pay
ment on their car. dreaming of
wonderful trips together over roads
that lead TO romance, as all good
roads do: Yet every ride they have
taken. whether spin or long
vacation trip has been marred by
pickering in the form of back
seat driving. .
Perhaps IL they studied the art
of getting along at home they
could make their trips enjoyable.
Surely, automobiling as "a recrea-
ton should take us far from all
that is petty. sordid and disagree.
able.
If a man Is an. unsafe driver,
do not risk your life with him
stay at home! But, il he is
Trustworthy, trust him let him
drive in peacei And do not bicker
over trifles.
What if be does want the
window open and you prefer it
closed? Wrap up warmerlet
him have his way. Adjust your-
self to the situation.
Automobiling is boon TO
youthful romance and also pre-
sants problems of romance such
as the parked car on the .moon~Iit
highway, the long walk home, the
driver distracted by one arm
about girls waist. But hack.
seat driving is distinctly prob
lem Of married life.
1t is human to like to give adj
vice, whether or not the advice is
expert. Not to feel an impulse
TO give aid and counsel to mar
riage partner would only prove
Indifference. ooh. yes, Pm, very
familiar with back.seat driving"
said Bob. when Betty and I go
out in the car listen to 1t most
of the time"
How about the times your wife
relieves you at the wheel?" T.
asked. ''Does the back-seat driver
go right on Them"
We'll, when Betty drives. give
her helpful advice and instruc.
tion--that's different" he smiled
But after driving with these
friends OF mine 1 decided that
the quality of back-seat driving
differs little, whether Betty or
Bob does the advising.
1T wasn't necessary 10 take
that hill in second" reprnaches
Bob. by getting an earlier start
you could nave taken it without
shifting gears
Sorry. dear. ] forgot"
"TOu should throw the Gluten
out only now and then, not all
the time"
This admonition is also needed
good humoredly.
bob. dear. will You take the
wheel again? It's getting dusk
and strange roads make me
nervous"
Bob, rested by an hours respite,
resumes driving the Gar an vyhar
proves to be race with darkness
to reach the inn that is the days
objective before the mountain
roads become a mystery.
The following morning, bright
and carly. Bob and Betty are con
the way once more--Bob drlv-
ing. Betty an eager spectator OF
his every move.
Bob. slow down--youre much
too near that car--please slow
down"
Suddenly the car in front stops
wlrnout warning.
Bump. Crash!
BY miracle, neither car nor
any of the passengers Is hurt.
And, miracle of miracles, Betty
does not exclaim. IL told you so.
Dear, I'm ashamed Of myself
for arriving like that--it will not
happen again" And Betty knows
it never will.
Yes, there are many different