HOW TO MANAGE A HUSBAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10319, 19 December 1896, Page 2 (Supplement)

HOW TO MANAGE A HUSBAND.

BY A WIPE WHO IS HAPPILY MARRIED. We really ought to bo deterred from undertaking such a dreadful responsibility 'when wo soo the sorrows, cares, and anxieties of tho many poor wives around us; bub tlion wo are not! Wo all think that we can manage them better than our neighbours—and so wo can if wo set our wits to work ; but it is a very delicato job. If they could only bo nicely tickotod and arranged, as aro the goods in a shop window, we could take tho ono that suited us best. But, no 1 Our Choice is so limited as to bo scarcely a choice at all, for wo liavo, as a rule, to take tho ono provided for us, or who graciously doigns to singlo us out; and then wo have to find out and bear with all his little fads and eccentricities, and to practically rearrango our lives to suit his—in other words., to make tho best of him and thero always is a best, thank goodness 1 though sometimes it takes a deal of finding. The groat thing is to manago husbands so carefully that they don't know tlioy are being managed 1 Cross words and angry looks won't do it, and tears—after the first few monthsare quitu Ineffectual, and ho we liavo to try just the opposite tactics— kind words and pleasant looks, with a judicious mixture of. firmness; somotimes oven a tiny burst of anger, if tho occasion warrants it, to add piquancy to the reconciliation aftorwards. Thero are a few who can bo properly and well brought up— after all, many of them aro nothing but big children-by a little spoiling; tlioso, for ins Unco, who have had uncomfortable homes, or perhaps no homes at all—nothing but the cold wolcomo of lodgings to roturn to in the .ovoning. They greatly appreciate t, bright little homo after a day in the city, with a elieory wife waiting, and a well-cooked dintior punctually sorvod, in which ono or mora of thoir fnvourito dishes figures. Novor forgot tho dinner under any circumstances. " A man's heart," etc.; you know the rest.

Don't intrudo domestic worries. Tho boat of husbands soon look bored and weary over a recapitulation of the siim of omission of tho tradespeople, tho laziness of the servunts, and tho naughtiness of tho children. Always sliaro your huflljainl'd troubios with him, but boar your own by yourself, if possible. The oho groat holp towards keeping a husband happy and good-tempered is to make matters go smoothly and comfortably; attend especially to tho littlo things. Ho will bear a great trouble nobly, perhaps j but lilo to him will not bo worth living if his shaving-water is cold, his boots unpolished, and his meals badly cookod and unpuucbual. And, above all, tho housekeeping money must bo" made to do." But a woman must also stand up for certain rights and privileges of her own ; if she doesn't respect hcrsolf, she cannot hope that anyone, e. on her husband, will respect her. Because alio is his housekeeper, and often cook as well, there is no reason why she should nob be his friend, helpmeet, and confidante as well. Bub some husbands are really nice, useful articles to have in the house; they ncem to understand that there is eomeono to be considered besides themselves, someone who has given up her whole life to their keeping for the solo purpose of helping thorn with her love and sympathy. Her little,likes and dislikes aro considered, her advice asked—and eomotimes taken; and if there aro worries and bother in the homo, or the housekeeping money has run short—as it will somotlmos, ovon With tho boat of managers—she is not treated to a long homily on her incompetence and extravagance, but is given a real helping hand to tide hor over the littlo difficulty, and life looks bright and cheery for both of thorn, in spite of tho inevitable troubles and anxieties which wo all must expect and buttlo against. Ah, yes 1 and there are such men, and—l speak from experience— is the wife who gets one for a husband 1