practice that is likely to get the best of you unless you stop and stop
now.

THE WIFE

She Is Your Partner, Don't Cheat Her

A wife is either a partner or an employee. If a partner, she has a right
to the fifty-fifty split on profits; if an employee she is entitled to
her wages.

A thrifty husband is commendable, but a
show-me-what-you-did-with-that-money husband should be punished by being
sentenced to attend pink teas, afternoon receptions, and to match
samples at the dry goods store.

Married folks must be on the partnership basis, or there's sand in the
gear box.

Give the wife the check-book; let her pay the bills; tote fair with her;
show her and give her just what your income affords, and what economic
and wise administration warrants; she'll cut the cloth to fit the
garment.

When the husband questions every turn, every move, every cent, the wife
feels like a prisoner or a slave. Wives will do good team work when
they are broken to double harness with their husbands.

Women are generally raised without any requirements of economy; they are
pretty birds, and used to preening and smoothing their plumage and
looking pretty.

It's the female instinct in the human. In the animal world the male has
the plumage and does the strutting and fascinating act; but in the human
animal the female is the bird with the bright plumage.

You can't expect her to know about pennies and purses and prudent
purchases the moment you slip the ring on her finger.

But she's an intelligent filly and she'll go in double harness much
better if trained and coaxed and petted than she will if she is
haltered, broke and a Spanish bit put in her mouth by the husband's
stinginess.

She'll shop better than her husband if he takes an interest in her
shopping and encourages her in her economical administration of the
household budget.

She wants a word of appreciation once in a while. She chills under the
surveillance and parsimony of an eagle-eyed, detective, lawyer-like
husband.

She's a sweet bird and sweet birds and hawks don't nest well together.

Where the hawk and the dove are in the same cage the feathers will fly.

As I came through the park this morning I saw a pair of robins who have
the right idea. They share home responsibilities and do fine team work.
I think they are mighty happy, too; daddy red breast looked mighty proud
as he hustled worms for the family breakfast.

Mamma robin looked down with lovi