IS MARRIAGE A FAILURE?

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2102, 10 June 1907, Page 2

IS MARRIAGE A FAILURE?

‘MARRIED MAN” SQUELCHED. Following is our correspondent Busool’s ’ reply to criticism ly ‘Married Mail” :

“Buscol” presents compliments to “Married Man” and is pleased to be ible to amuse him, for lie evidently is in Hindi need ot it, according to bis own sad story. Furthermore, ‘Bused” is sorry “Married Man” had ,o little foresight whon lie merged into matrimony in not making a better dioice. Maybe his wife’s concern re nis wanting to go out at night is quite justifiable. Slio probably would have the manners and good breeding to toll her husband where slie was roing if proceeding out for the evening. She would not have to be asked, and would never dream oi going anywhere without first consulting hei husband, tolling him all about'it, and asking him to accompany her if ciriui instances permitted. Uniortunately thorn, are many “Married Men” who show little courtesy to their wives re, tlieir whereabouts on evenings out. This particular “Married Man’s” wife shows excellent wisdom and foresight in desiring to know oi her husband’s destination when out he goes—for it would he very inconvenient to all concerned if a caller during “Married Man’s” absence could not be told where to find him. Regarding not being allowed to talk to the maid, maybe (maybe only, of course), the parrot story is applicable. The parrot, you know, often saw the master kiss the maid, and astonished him, his wife, and company at dinner one evening, by persistently asking “Who kissed Bridget? who 'kissec; Bridget?” “Put that confounded bird out!” growls the master. “Master kissed Bridget 1” returns Polly. Tableau !

Again, “Married Man” should be very pleased that his wiie compliments him by desiring liis conversation, but if he is one of those dummified creatures in his own home who enconces himself in comfort with a book and rudely ignores the presence of liis wife, again, his manners may .need cultivating.

“Rib-digging” should be applied, too, if be persists .ill snoring away indifferent to a child’s wants. Men. as .a rule, are very selfish in matters of this kind, and quite right,, if they get a reminder occasionally to take a share in responsibilities. About tlie “Churcli-goilig,” it is: difficult to pass an opinion, but doubtless liis wife reasons thus: “Churchgoing doesn’t seem to make him less selfish, or more courteous to mo, his

wife (and tho Bible Isays men should reverence tlieir wives), so wliat’s the good of going to Church and posing as goody-good when he does uot-apply the teaching to every-day domestic life?” If he thinks he should go. or desires very much to go, because of help ho receives, lie should persist in going, and by example and doing right in the matter, because “right is right,” show liis better half that “Worship” is beneficial. Many wives have had “fibs” told them in the name of “Lodge,” and “Married Man’s” wife shows her good sense if she limits his excuses. But to give him liis dues, ho is “docile and meek” and after all his wife has not the worst of husbands, when lie allows her word to be law, and gives lip Lodge, Cluircli, talking to the maid, etc., for her sake, admitting in this way that his wife, as usual, knows best. -