The Managing Woman.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 66

The Managing Woman.

When a woman has succeeded in managing her home so that her husband wants to 6tay in it I believe that she has found the way to "manage him" (wrifes '.Arietta Burroughs in the American). Exceptions to this, as in other things, only Jtrove the rule. Man loves to be managed, all his proiests to the contrary notwithstanding, but woe be unto the woman who is foolish enough to let him see the wheels go round. The tactful woman will never allow him to suspect that he is not doing exactly as he wishes. In whicli case she generally has things fixed so that his way is hers. 'Don't think for a moment that I wieh id flay anything derogatory to man. That is tie only one of iris little weaknesses .which make him sor oharming. Most men are just as susceptible- to flattery as women, or per£ap» I would? better say appreciation, as flattery makes both? the giver and the one who accepts it contemptible. Little speeches or acfe showing appreciation and care for each, other are never lost. I cannot help having great sympathy for the man whose wife suddenly becomes so attentive. Her "Jfow, dearest, do kt me fill your pipe! Can'fc I get your dippers?' deserves to be ansnrered,

as it was in a case in point with, "For goodness sake, Maria, get the bonnet bill at once and be done with it." Woman's spasmodic solicitude does not work with a man with an ounce of biains. You know men do 'have some brains, and cannot be expected to be absolutely blind and deaf. It dosen't cost anything to keep a little kindly care on tap. Little things go further towards making or unmaking a happy home than big ones. There is a vast difference between the little attentions a wife gives the husband j she loves, and the shamlike service given j and willingly accepted in many ..ases. You will never "manage" the man to whom you are servant. Many a great strong fellow is literally ruined as a companion by a little delirate woman who started out to '"wait on" him when first married. This is the natural instinct of the loving, womanly woman, j but she would batter stifle it if she knows what is good for her. Che right kind of man loves his w ife i better for allowing him to keep a servant j for her, and because she needs his strong t hand to help her over the rough parts of her pathway. This, of course, if he is financially able. The woman who strikes the happy medium between being a baby and to be waited on absolutely, and a servant to wait on her master is the woman who "manages" her husband. I Women usually brood in silence over real or fancied wrongs, or become scolds. An open, frank discussion of all subjects concerning both should be a feature of each day. Husband soon finds that intuitive knowledge of wife counts for much, and before either knows it she is necessary to him, although she does not dream of "managing"' him, nor he of being managed. j And now let me tell you that it is | matrimonial suicide to disregard the old adage that 'the way to a man's heart is through his stomauh." Feed him if you want to keep him. And Ido not blame men for being cranky when they have to eat the kind, of meals that some women unblushingly place before them. Wife, give your husband well-cooked food, keep his house clean, and make it homelike as possible ; always have some little attention to pay him that is especially his when be comes in, and I am not afraid to state that he will be willing to be managed. 1 And tow t<f the most important point of aIL I should -like* to write "Don't nag" ii), capital letters where it would be constantly in the sight of some women I know. This, by the way, applies to men as well. There is nothing which will so quickly disrupt a household a& constant "nagging" on the part of one member.