Courtship and Marriage, and the Gentle Art of Home-MakingSwan, Annie S.
General
Courtship and Marriage, and the Gentle Art of Home-Making
Swan, Annie S.
Family life; Home economics; Marriage
Yes, I know all about it--that the day has been long and dreary, that
nothing has gone right, and you have had nobody to share it; but I want
you to let the man have his dinner or his tea in peace before you relate
the tale of your woes. It will make all the difference in the world to
his reception of it. Try to remember that he has had a long day too,
that, maybe, he has been nagged and worried in the office, or the
market, or behind the counter; and that he left it with relief, hoping
for a little fireside comfort at home. Let him enjoy first, at least,
the meal you have prepared or superintended, then, when you both have
eaten, you will be in a better mood for the discussion of the little
worries which looked so big and black all day. If they have not
disappeared altogether by this time they have at least sensibly
decreased in size and number.
Another thing I should like to impress on the young wife, and that is
the absolute necessity of being as fastidious and dainty with her
personal appearance after marriage as before. It is a poor compliment to
a man to show that you care so little for his opinion as a husband that
you can't or won't take the trouble to dress up for him. Dear girls,
contemplating the final leap, I want you to understand that you can
afford a great deal less to be careless after marriage than before;
because you have now to keep the husband you have won. Men like what is
bright and cheerful, and pleasant to behold. So far as you are concerned
see that you are never an eyesore. Even if you have your own work to do,
there is no necessity why you should be a dowdy or a slattern. Even a
cotton dress clean and daintily made can be as becoming to you as a robe
of silk and lace.
It is a great deal more important for you to keep your husband's love
and respect than it was to win them as a lover; because now your stake
is greater--in fact, it is your all.
To the husband I would say, "Be kind, be true, be appreciative always.
If you have to find fault do it gently. There are two ways of doing and
saying everything. Take time to choose the better, the kinder, the more
helpful and encouraging."
Most women are quick to respond to the slightest touch of kindness, the
sunshine their more dependent natures require. See that you, having
taken this young creature from the shelter of a loving parental home, do
not starve her in an atmosphere of cold criticism and fault-finding.
Remember that she is young, inexperienced, ignorant of many things, and
that wisdom walks with years. Little things these, you say? Yes, friend,
but great and far-reaching in their issues even to the wreck or
salvation of a human soul.
To both in the early days, "Live near to God,"--His blessing alone can
consecrate the home. So will your last days be better than your first,
and love be as sweet and soul-satisfying on the brink of the grave, at
the close of the long pilgrimage you have made together, as in the
halcyon days, "when all the world was young."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account