WOMAN'S WORLD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 65, 25 June 1910, Page 9

WOMAN'S WORLD

WHY GIRLS FAIL WHERE WIDOWS WIN. It was Tony W oiler who on one occasion gave the solemn advice to his son, irrepressible Sam, of -'Pickwick" fume, "Samivel, mv boy, bevare of vidders." But it is evident, judging from the number of widows who get married every year, that the average man is inclined to pa) 1 little hoed to old Tony's warning. This is, perhaps, because widows have improved m character and disposition somewhat since the Pickwickian days, or maybe their wiles and fascinations have .become stronger and more irresistible.

Whatever the reason, the fact remains that widows frequently win husbands where spinsters fail, and, according to official returns, there is a growing disposition on the ipart of the sterner sex to share their homes and fortunes with ladies who have already had some experience of married life.

Probably the fact that a widow's previous knowledge of men and matrimony secures for her an advantage over her single sisters has a-great deal to do with this rather surprising state of affairs. Much married happiness is often frittered away before the average husband and wife get to understand the vagaries of opposite sexes. "'And this," as the celebrated Mark Twain has observed, "is just where the widow comes in. She has served her apprentices-hip and has parted with her illusions, so that the man she condescends to marry has a fair start."

Undoubtedly men are attracted towards women who understand them, and no one 'knows this better than the widow herself. What widow, for,instance, ever objects to smdeing? She "knows a man loves his cigar or a pipe of tobacco. Therefore she makes a study of a man in order to gain a knowledge of his likes and dislikes, and never neglects an opportunity of catering to his whims. A widow has the happy knack of being more anxious ,to please than to be pleased, and, as very many men have a weakness for a little adulation from a pretty woman, she invariaibly succeeds in her ■object.

She is wise enough, too, not to argue with the man whom she would like to ibe something more than a friend, or, if she does, she contrives to convey in a fascinating manner the impression that she is convinced he is right. She is aware that arguments are the crypt oi friendship and the everlasting doom of love. '■ She knows that when a man leaves his office or workshop he is desirous of ileaving there all worries and perplexities, with the result that she does not try to force her opinions on ihim.

She may or jnay not care to enter the bonds of wedlock once more, but, having grown accustomed to a husband's comradeship; she enjoys the society of other men. She enters into their pleasures as far as she possibly can, and endeavors at all times to make them feel as comfortable an,d at home in her presence as they would in that of men companions. W r hat is more, a widow invariably shows herself to be of an economical turn of Inind, the result of her former marriage experience. Consequently, if anything were needed to convince a man of a widow's fitness to be his wife, it would be her practical and sensible views on economy.

It is, however, as a practical woman that a widow appeals most forcibly to a man. Pie feels convinced that bj marrying her he will be sure to have obtained a wife who can manage a home. Of course, to some men the thought that another man hacl once held first place in the wife's affections would be a great objection to marriage with a widow. But men hold the reputation of being proverbially selfish, and 'when it comes to choosing between a woman who lias only love and good looks to recommend her and one possessed of practical eomxtion sense, together with a sound knowledge of how to look after a home and their creature comforts, they invariably incline towards the latter.

DOMESTIC HINTS. ,To clean a black straw hat and make it look like new, just rub it with the 'tiniest piece of butter on velvet, and then polish with a strip of velvet. Daily massage and wringing of the hands increases their circulation and rejuvenates them. The hands as well as the rest of the body need exercise if they are to retain their youthful appearance.

In comibing out long, tangled hair, never begin at the roots, but at the tips, and work towards the head. If the hair is much matted or tangled about tlio head, comb it with the comb held edgeways, not flat, and begin again from the tips. If done in this manner all pulling and dragging is avoided. Mahogany tables are very frequently disfigured 6y white-loo'king marks, caused by standing hot plates or dishes on them without a mat underneath. To remove the marks rub them well with a little sweet oil; wipe it off, then apply a few drops of spirits of wine, and finally polish with a dry cloth. To mend a voile or "other thin material which has become torn, procure a piece of court plaster slightly larger than the torn part, and as near the same color as possible to the material. Damp the plaster and place under the tear, taking care to lay the edges of the cloth neatly together, then press with a weight till dry. The rent will •hardly be perceptible then.

Knives should never fee put into water, as it injures the handles. The blades may be placed upright in a mug of hot water, for in this way the handles will be kept dry. Should the handles come off fix them again thus: Ta<ke powuered resin, and mix it with a small quantity of chalk lime, whitening, or slaked lime. Fill the hole with the mixture, heat the shaft of the knife, and ram it in. W lien cold it will be quite fast.

To remove stains from woollen garments, add a little household ammonia to the suds in which they are washed. Never use soap for washing ipudding cloths. The right method is to : put them into a saucepan with cold water ancl a little soda, bring the water to oouing point, and then 'keep it simmering for five or ten minutes. After this, rinse the cloths well in several lots of clean hot water.

Have a high stool in the 'kitchen, and use it when you are preparing vegetables, washing teacups and saucers, ancl as often as you can sit instead of stand to your work. Women often find work needlessly hard because they think that it is necessary to stand to do it. It is not necessary half so often as people generally imagine, and so you will find if you get ia nice high stool and try how much work you can do sitting on it. The saving of fatigue makes the purchase worth while, and the stool can often be used instead of a step-ladder. A very excellent mixture for making the hair curl can be made from one pan, of spirits of wine and two parts distilled water. The hair should be damped with this before putting it in curlers. If you are in a great hurry, and want the hair to curl quickly, use rather more of the spirits of wine; but it is not good to make a general rule of doing this, as iMHfiaiiriiMyMli