Six Bad Husbands and Six Unhappy WivesWilcox, Ella Wheeler
General
Six Bad Husbands and Six Unhappy Wives
Wilcox, Ella Wheeler
Husband and wife; Marriage; Women -- Conduct of life
The fifth bad husband had been the merriest and jolliest young man in
the neighbourhood where he found his wife. He was twenty-nine years old
when he married, and his wife was twenty-two. She was very bright, and
considered a leader in her social circle.
The young man was so witty and so full of fun, that he had always been
popular with girls and, indeed, with women of all ages. Old ladies
liked him; he made them laugh and forget their sorrows. Young matrons
liked him; he made them forget they were not girls. And spinsters liked
him, for he seemed to be just as happy when with them as with young
girls.
Such a fund of good spirits opened the door of every circle to him.
No one analysed him mentally, to see whether he was possessed of any
profound learning under the surface brightness and mirthfulness; he was
such good company that he carried people along with him and made life
seem worth while wherever he was.
His wife had found him delightful as a lover; and, while she did not
possess a keen sense of humour, she was young and care-free, and
enjoyed the same amusements. The two seemed very congenial.
The young man possessed a fair competence and good business abilities.
He was popular with his associates, and there was nothing to hinder
their marriage from proving a happy one. So it seemed in the beginning.
After a few years had passed, the wife developed intellectual
tastes and took up a course of study. The husband was proud of her
and encouraged her in her pursuits. He was very much occupied with
business, and his wealth was on the increase. Two children had blessed
the union, and he was very devoted to them.
He had never been a church-going man, but had helped charities and
benevolent institutions, and he believed in God and immortality.
Meanwhile he lived in full enjoyment of all the things of earth. He
liked a good meal, well cooked and served. He liked a good cigar. He
enjoyed good company, music, cards, dancing, and fun and life. He had
never sought unworthy friends, or low associates of either sex. But
he wanted people about him who were optimistic, and who liked a good
laugh, and he did not care for the very serious side of life.
He never read problem novels, or went to see problem plays, and he
delighted in comic opera and humorous literature. For several years his
wife had been his comrade in all these things. But as she developed
intellectually, and as she studied into the metaphysical thought of the
world, she seemed to be bored by the things which had once given her
pleasure.
It did not occur to her that she could keep in touch with the human
side of life, and with her husband's tastes, and still grow out into
larger ideals.
She said one could not serve God and Mammon, or obey two masters. And
she felt she must obey the call of her soul. She forgot that the call
of love is also the call of the soul.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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