er own money,
earned by her own hands. It seems to her that her husband ought to see
that she has need of certain articles, and the very fact that he does
not, leads her to the false supposition that he has ceased to care
for her, while he, if there was any thought about it in his mind,
would say, "Why doesn't she ask for money if she wants it? She knows I
will give it to her if I have it."

All these troubles would be avoided if married couples early came to a
definite understanding on this subject, and a certain sum were set
aside which the wife was to receive weekly for household expenses, her
personal wants to be supplied from such surplus as she may be able to
save from out this sum, or in some other way provided for by a stated
amount, both of which sums should be under her exclusive, unquestioned
control.

Some simple system of accounts should then be kept and regularly gone
over together on every quarter. A mutual agreement thus established on
the money question, much annoyance and much extravagance may be
prevented. It is not too much to suggest that, perhaps, it might not
be amiss to present an account of the husband's expenses also, at
these quarterly reckonings.

Above all things, never let the wife, from a weak desire to gratify
her own personal vanity, enter upon some extravagant purchase, the
amount of which she must conceal from her husband, and (vainly often)
strive to pay in small amounts saved or borrowed. The result is
usually exposure, sometimes disgrace, pecuniary loss and loss of
esteem in the husband's eyes. Perfect confidence is the only basis
upon which happiness can be safely founded.

A Pleasant Disposition.

Cultivate, on both sides, a disposition to restrain all unseemly
exhibitions of temper. Hysterics and prolonged and repeated fits of
tears soon lose their effect, and, at the last, a half-pitying
contempt is their only result. Let all conversation be refined in its
tone. The force of example in this respect carries with it a silent,
impressive power that is not easily resisted and lapses therefrom
involve a loss of this influence that cannot be easily estimated.

Profanity, too, is a deadly foe in the household and any wife that
permits her husband to swear in her presence, either to herself, or
concerning others, lessens her own self-respect each time it occurs.
That profanity can be repressed, has been shown her by the fact that,
no matter how long the previous engagement may