MATRIMONIAL MATTERS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 36, 7 February 1912, Page 6

MATRIMONIAL MATTERS.

- HOW TO CHOOSE AND MANAGE A WIFE. (By Hymen in the “Eltham Argus.”) There is an old saying and a true one, “never choose your wife by candle light,” rather go in the morning to see if she has done up her back hair. Hero in Taranaki the young man is rather too apt to choose in’s wife by her skill in handling “Strawberry” than by her domestic qualities. Before marriage as a rule comes courtship. Now, wlien courting, a young man should court the old people first; find out what brand of cigar the old man likes; take an interest in his .cows, if he be a “poor cockey” or his business if he is engaged in commerce; praise up the old lady’s cooking. When he gets into their good books he won’t he long before ho is right with the girl. Of course there are exceptions to every rule. Rather choose a girl who has brothers; she is more used to the frailties and wicked ways of men than one who has none. The'brothers are useful too, especially the young one, who is not above bribery and corruption. Perhaps he will relate with glee how some other young man has been to see our Mary or what she has said about the best boy behind his back.

Usually the country girl makes tho best housewife; sue has had to battle with the troubles of life more than her town cousin, and as a rule does' all her own housework. She has not time to study the latest Paris fashions Or go to all the balls. When you: finally embark on the sea of matrimony trim, your sails and steer straight. Take the wife into your confidence, let her know your financial position; if she can better take care of the dollars than you, make her the hanker. Endeavour to let the wife have the last word in an argument: cr let Iyer thipk she has; it is sound policy, believe me, especially if you want a quiet life. “A woman’s tongue is sharper than a two-edged sword.” Don’t always he harping on the way your mother used to cook. Remember she has married you, not your mother. The question of whether the milking shod is the proper place for a woman is a burning question in Taranaki. This depends entirely on circumstances. There is many a well-to-do cockey who, had it not been for his better half’s help, would not he in the position he is to-day. We all know the refining influence of .a woman, even in the milking shed, where Strawberry and Plum and their progeny are more amenable to hor than mere man very often. To “you young cockies” in Taranaki my advice, if you wish to have your meals cooked properly is, see there is plenty of wood chopped for “the misses” to cook with. Don’t expect a big dinner on Sunday ; let her have a day off as well as the horses. There’s a heap more of advice I’d like to give you. However, in conclusion listen to Sir Walter Scott in his “Marmion” : “Oh, woman in our hours of ease, Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, And variable as the shade; by the light quivering aspen made, When pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering angel thou.”