Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-01-02
Family Man
Prize Goes
To a Woman
A Grateful Wife Lettc
touches Runyon
BY DAMON RUNYON


man" contest TO, Mrs. Jack Leav-
lit of 1857 West Twenty-second
street, Brooklyn, for a beautiful
little letter about her husband.
We think the line that appealed
to us most was: "He is my
very best friend" A wifely
tribute to a husband cannot be
much stronger than that.
We judge that the Leavitts
are a young couple. They have
two, small boys. Mr.. Leavitt,
who is also described by his
wife, Jean, as "the best, dearest.
most unSelfiSh husband in the
world" is a laborer. "IIe works
very hard for the little he
earns" Mrs. Le9vitt says, but
will do without tobacco and sur
prise us with a little treat now
and then"
He helps her with the house
work when it is too much for
her, and with the care Of the
children whom he adores. and
Mrs. Leavitt signs herself,
Grateful Wife" which are
words any husband must treas
ure. The foundations of the
American home rest securely on
husbandly affection and wifely 4
appreciation such as Mrs, Leav-
it's letter reflects.
We have been profoundly i'm
pressed by the letters that have
come to us from all over the
country in the past few months.
Their lesson is that faith and
fortitude are characteristic OF
the institution Of matrimony,
that long-livcd unions are the
rule rather than the exception
throughout the nation. and that
love of home and family are tho
strongest emotions in the life Of
the average male American.
WE SAY again that We only
w regret we cannot give a
prize 10 every letter writer. but
that being rather beyond our
means we offer our thanks 10
each and every one And having
disposed OF the family man.
/ at least for the purposes Of this
column. we think We ought "a
print. at least in part. letter
from a husband
He seems TO be under the
+ impression that we were seek
+ ing the ideal wife. which was
not the case. However. his letter
inspires the thought that we
may perhaps later offer prize
for the best definition of the
i term and the hclpmeet best fit.
ting the definition. Just 10 see
F if the husbands Will reply as
whole-heartedly in praise Of
their partners as the wives
4 Here is the letter from Howard
+ Beach. L. L. written by huS-
band whose identity We will
confine to the initials "A 6"
"HANE been married TO a
IL thoroughbred for l3 wears.
Have daughter ,, sttff,
Modest salary. small ear. rem
small apartment. Name might
be Johnny Average. but isn't.
"Now the entry: She's a good
housekecper and mother. Cooks
well and bakes we'll Thousands
like that She can sew on n
+ button or embroider a bed
spread with equal fineness.
/ Hundreds like that She's
never suspicious, always cour-
teous and attentive to the little
niceties that make for a happy
companionship. (Only one in
10 like that
Drives a car with the preci-
sion and tact Of man but
doesn't brag about IL. tOnly one
in 50 like that She's at ease
In Greasy Joe's or Longchamps.
Can take a drink or two or
more and always command re-
spect. Never noisy or bolster
Gus. (Only one in 1907 Can
understand when men get to-
gether in a heated political or
sports discussion at O'Neilrs or
Shaughnessey's or the club they
are apt 10 ovcr-indulge and for
get the hour Zone in 1000.
HuAS forgiving nature, al
H ways ready 10 accept an
apology or listen to reason.
Zone In 10000 Though I lost
good job through my lack of
a sense of responsibility, though
I've caused her unhappiness at
times through mans inbred
selfishness, though I've given
i her cause on numerous occa-
sions to throw me back In the
gutter where l belong, she's still
with me and we're hitting the
road back up, each carrying our
own share of the load.
"And we can't miss because
she's one in a million"
/ Copyright. 1871. King Features synd., lnx
% YEARS AGO TODAX