Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 278, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1917 — Page 2

Little Problems of Married Life

By WILLIAM GEORGE JORDAN

(OopnuMi HOLDING MONOTONY AT BAY. Monotony Is the malaria of matrimony. It poisons the home atmosphere, gradually exhausts the life-giv-ing oxygen of love and comradeship and leaves on£ stifling in an air of discontent, protest, and rebellion. It means dull, deadly depression of spirits, a general tired feeling regarding life, weakened hope and will, loss of appetite for the trifles of every-day living, a listless, languid indifference, a nervous irritability difficult to control. It takes all the brightness and vividness from the color scheme of life and thought and leaves them a cold, dismal gray. This monotony saps the vitality of mental, moral and physical resistance to trivial cares and worries that assume portentous proportions like figures blurred into bigness by a fog. It needs the fresh tonic ozone of change, the vitalizing sunlight of a new interest, the windows of life opened wide for freer air and a broader outlook. Monotony in married life is an insidious evil. It is hard to cure but easy to prevent. Husband and wife should realize that it rests solely with them; the conditions are absolutely within their control when acting in unity and harmony; either can do much, neither can do all. They can create an atmosphere of comradeship, cheerfulness, and courage that defies monotony. It takes so little to hold ft at bay, in the beginning; it takes so much to kill it, in the end. It is easier to dodge a few snowflakes than the wild fury of the storm at its worst. The secret of monotony is over-ab-sorption of the head or the hands where the heart is not in it. It is the overfeeding of one side of life at the expense of the other; it is the prostrating effect of unbroken sameness In an environment.

The wife in her devotion to her home may place a false estimate on trifles. She may become house bound; never crossing the threshold except when absolutely necessary, she may unconsciously convert her home into a prison and submerge the wife in the housekeeper. The unending repetition of the same duties, this continuous performance without change or intermission, begins to chafe and fret and weary her; it seems like the regular tramp of a vast army on the march, continually passing but never passed. The deadly routine begins to wear on her nerves, like the irritating, insistent tick of a clock in a sick room. The narrow horizon of her living depresses her spirits; she grows faultfinding, dissatisfied, helpless and hopeless. The salt of life has lost its savour.

She must lessen the tension some way, drop the whole outfit occasionally, forget she is a machine and remember she is a human being, and get out for a change of thought and experience. Let her turn her steps to the green pastures of rest and restoration, take a walk or a drive, hear a little music or see a play, make a visit or entertain a caller, go shop* ping, that does not require money, for It Is only buying that costs, read some book even though it is only “one of the best sellers” —anything that will freshen the mind, quicken the blood, gladden the heart, or put a new edge on life. Some people do take duty a bit too seriously. It is delightful occasionally to turn your back deliberately and impolitely on a duty for a while, to give saintship a little vacation, for the duty does welcome you so when you return and it does not seem half so hard. Much of our loyalty to duty is simply disloyalty to higher duties and when we are dulled by monotony, we do not differentiate clearly between them. There are honest, earnest, good women who, like Martha of old, are “cumbered with much serving.” They let the house eclipse the home, creature comfort overshadow heart comfort; they make themselves unfit companions for themselves, much less for their husbands. They should cultivate the courage let go ? they should realize that monotony is never a bargain, never worth what they pay for it.

There are other wives who have no cares nor responsibility, no tax on time or energy, no money worries; burdens of housekeeping are reduced to a minimum by the help of efficient servants; the children are away at school. These wives, too, often face monotony. It is not the monotony of work, but of leisure. ~ " In the absorption of making money for the support of home and family a husband may lose the true perspective of life. He may become unduly anxious for more money; he may keep his desires tob high; he may be sacrificing too much of ills real self in acquiring wealth. In over-absorption in providing all that money can buy he may forget the greater things that mere money cannot buy, forget that mere material things do not bring real happiness. If he goes home tired, physically, mentally and morally, and is pre-occupied and silent or irritable and fault-finding, he is drifting towards the rocks of matrimonial monotony. The failure of many marriages Is not any great positive wrong nor even a series of lesser wrongs, but just Inpaing Into the of words and

acts of love, comradesh.’p, thoughtfulness, confidence and interest that mean the Joy of life; it is surrender to monotony that may at last brings revolt and a break for freedom. And two who have loved may just grow tired of each other, hardly knowing why or when or how —and both may be to blame. Monotony means surrender to an environment, not conquest of it. Man Is the only animal that can consciously change from within, change manners, thoughts, impulses, desires, dreams, Ideals. Man is the only animal that can consciously modify his environment, by deliberate choice move to an entirely different one, transform an old or create a new environment.

The blight of monotony is not solely one of wealth or of poverty. The less the Income and the more restricted the life the less is required to.do something that will break the spell of monotony, that will bring a change, a new impulse, a new impetus, a new inspiration. A dinner away from home, an evening at the theater, a long ride or a sail, a day at the beach, a walk in th> country, a visit or a guest, some new books, may be the trifle that may break the deadly dullness of uniformity. Business men realize the effect of cleanliness, comfort, convenience and change in making a store more attractive to customers. They vary the display in the shop windows, they decorate in harmonv with the seasons, they rearrange departments, they continuously seek to banish monotony. This philosophy of change might well be introduced in homes where the same articles of furniture stand in the same places for years as if they were built into the walls. Rearranging the furnishings, changing the position of the pictures, packing out of sight the surplus of ornaments and bric-a-brac that make rooms look like museumsand bringing them out later and retiring the old ones, may freshen and brighten a home and give a tjew life and inspiration. There is a tendency on the part of many married people to surrender to their moods, not to bother about making themselves agreeable to each other. There are times when a guest comes to the home and the husband may be surprised to see how entertaining his wife can be; he hears her tell stories and incidents that are new to him, that amuse and brighten the atmosphere. He may narrate entertaining episodes of his business life, talk interestingly of new inventions, new discoveries, city improvements, national men and measures, facts and fancies from his reading, observation and experience and she may look across the table in a pleased wonder and try to keep back the expression of her rebellious protest that with her alone he usually surpasses the oyster in silence except on the old subjects now talked to tatters. Monotony comes from many causes; it can be held at bay in many ways. The courtship method helps by keeping the two from settling down into a mat-ter-of-fact, humdrum existence, by hallowing trifles, by banishing a 1 sense of duty and putting the spontaneity of love in its stead. Comradeship helps too; it puts both on a basis of consecrated friendship, willing to talk uncomplainingly together the rough or the smooth, the lights or the shadows, the deeps or the shallows of living, just as equals, with no awe, no oppressive dignity, no fear, but with freedom, frankness, full respect and confidence that smiles away sorrow and suspicion. Humor helps; it livens trifles, takes the sting out of little troubles and miseries. When the servant leaves at four minutes’ notice, there need not be grumbling, and protest, and fretting. What if the meals are not up to par or the house not manicured and given a heavy polish, for a day or tw\>? There is no need for worry? the world is -not yet come to an end. If taken in the right spirit it may be a picnic time for both. Children have the advantage of us older folks; they know how to pretend and to play things are different from what they are.

A little of this spirit, sometimes, keeps us young; it brings imagination to the rescue; it crowds out the oppressiveness of the serious side of things when tears may. be just trembling near the edge of the eyelids, like actors in the wings waiting their cue. An honest laugh is worth a hundred sighs in any market. It does not really make much difference if the humor seems a bit home-made and show signs of wear, if it please the two, who enjoy without criticizing, and carry a bubbling laugh from their lips to their living.

Reading alotid, music In the home, the romping play of the children, the welcome guest—all help to keep monotony at bay. Looking out for the joy notes in the commonplaces, finding happiness like a four-leaf clover because we know just where to look for it. seeing reason for thankfulness in what we have rather than regret in xVhat we have not, singing and smiling at one’s work, make monotony fade away like mist before the sun of the morning. Really loving one’s home is the best way to make it worth living; having a pride in it wdll make it proud of us. Doing more for each other intensifies love, for,.we love most those for whom we do most. Love grows and gains by giving. Let us hold monotony at bay by utilizing to the full our trifles of possibility. If we cannot go to Europe'or even take a trip to the mountains or the sea, let us take a trolley ride or a walk; if we cannot do even these let us look out of the window and smile — do anything that breaks our over-ab-sorption. If two kill monotony in their hearts, they will kill it In their lives and they will be just glad and happy that they have —each other.

TH? EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

FROCKS FOR GIRLS

No Difficulty So Long as Fabrics Hold Out. Scotch Plaid Worsted, In Blue, Black and Yellow May Be Combined With Black Velveteen. - . Clothing the small girl is a simple matter these days, so long as Scotch plaid silks and worsteds and plain color fabrics to be used in combination therewith hold out. The little frock shown th the sketch is made of Scotch plaid worsted, in blue, black and yellow, combined with black velveteen. As will be noted, the skirt is a full kilted affair, and the bodice and sleeves are of velveteen, brightened by plaid collar and cuffs. The frock fastens in the center back with l small Jet or velvet-covered buttons. The collar is open at the back, of course. This is one frock which is rather

Knitted Frock of Scotch Plaid.

smarter without the overlay collar of white washable fabric. To make this dress for a little girl of six or eight years, one yard of velvet or velveteen 36 inches wide and one and a half yards of plaid fabric the same width will be required. The dress might be developed in Scotch plaid gingham and plain-color chambray or linen, if desired. One little frock recently noted, designed for a little girl of eight or ten years, was made of black velvet and cut on straight princess lines, side buttoned and trimmed with embroidery done in bright red and green silk. Velvet in black and dark shades is being used extensively in the development of suits, coats and frocks for young girls this season. When black velvet frocks are worn they must be extremely simple. Frequently a bright color touch is given by the use of wool embroidery, arid the white collar and cuffs are often used. Sometimes satin is employed, and again neck and sleeves are finished with bands of filet lace.

BREEN RIVAL TO DARK BLUE

Jade Clothes and Jewelry Also Popu-lar-Black in Demand for Afternoon and Evening Wear. Midnight blue holds its own. Black is in demand by those who want to dress well in the afternoon and evenipg, but it does not hold a high place for street suits or frocks. Dark green is a serious rival to dark blue, and the French dressmakers who exploited it last year are now reaping a reward because the public is accept- ■ ing it. A woman must know herself well, however, before touching any tone of green. If she Is picturesque, she can wear it ih any one of the shades that are variously known as jade, Egyptian and lettuce. The woman who can wear jade clothes and jewelry has a successful season before her, for many of the best materials are woven in this alluring but difficult tone, and the oriental shops are filled with bits of fine jade made into earrings, hair combs and necklaces. There are fans of peacock feathers with - jade sticks and also buckles of this Chinese quartz for slippers. Soft gold tissue gowns are embroidered with jade beads, In the Byzantine fashion. ** Red flickers through the color scheme aud bursts upon the vision like the flame from the artillery at .the front. It is against the accepted psychology that the colors of war should be exploited while war is on. i

FRENCH CORSET IS STRAIGHT

Corselet Effect Is Dominating Feature of Majority of Frocks—High Collars, Skimpy Skirts Popular. Paris has accentuated the endeavor to make the human figure look like a lead pencil. The French corsets of this season are built as straight ds a medieval cuirass, says a fashion writer in the New York Times. The corselet effect, in truth, is the dominating feature of the majority of frocks. The First Empire •waistline is brought in by many of the designers tn order to accentuate the lack of a waist. Even the jackets for street suits drop in straight lines from the shoulders to the hips, unless they carry out the surplice effect. The extraordinary wide girdles of this .season accentuate the Egyptian figure.

It is difficult to know exactly what France has decided upon in the way of a proper neckline. On street suits the collars rise so high that they are called the “cache-nez,” or nose coverings. There is the new trench muffler, an apache cravat, and a postillion collar of the eighteenth century for the street; and for the house there are gowns that are buttoned to the chin, with the material “going over the top.” •Others have the loose handkerchief drapery, the fifteenth century Italian collar, and the conventional high, rolling collar that shows a bit of neck below the chin. A very few of the new skirts sweep the instep. The fest are frankly short. Street suits have skirts that appear to be simply two breadths of material cut off at the hem to allow the fullest display of the highest boot made. There is a strong feeling abroad for the elongated skirt in evening gowns and women art insisting that they almost touch the toes in front. They are so narrow that they are easily wrinkled up over th# ankles as the wearer moves.

SEWING ROOM AIDS

Keep a small pincushion hanging on the Inachine with pins and needles in it. For an extra large hole In stockings fit a piece of netting to the hole and darn through the meshes. In making children’s dresses make the sleeve straight and put a casing on the underside about one inch from the hem. These may be run with ribbons and removed when washed, making the sleeve easy to iron. When the eyes are tired and smart take a basin of water, dip the face in and when the eyes are completely under water open and shut them. Do this once or twice and find how refreshed they feel.

COAT SERVES EVERY PURPOSE

Pretty yet withal distinctly utilitar<fa?T'li>4hiß motor coat that is intended to serve every purpose. It Is of black i and dark crimson velvet, rubber lined and ornamented with large bone buttons with gold centers.

TAILORED SUIT COAT LONGER

Extends to Point Slightly Above the Knee, or Below It, According to / Fashion's Decree. Besides the strictly tailored suits, there is a fair proportion of the more dressy ones, though some of the latter are Intended mainly for window displays and for openings, says the Dry Goods Economist., The coats of the tailored suits are mostly long, extending to a point slightly above the knee or somewhere below it. Some have the portion above the waist made on fitted lines with the lower portion showing a slight fullness, but still preserving the straightline sit hquette. * 7 • /

Pretty Christmas Gifts

CRETONNE KNITTING BAG. She who has not a knitting bag must feel like a stranger In a strange land. Christmas will give opportunity to provide her with this requisite of the woman In polite society. Also to replace knitting bags that have grown shabby with use. Those of cretonne have everything to recommend them. They are cheer-

ful and durable and they are inexpensive as bags go. _ - The handsome bag in the picture is made of tan cretonne with black stripe and Japanese designs in brilliant flowers and foliage. It is lined with bright green sateen and finished with clusters of satin-covered apples in tan, red and green at each side. The handles are of thin wood and are wound with a flat gold braid. LOLLYPOPS FOR YOUNGSTERS. If Santa Claus finds himself short of money anywhere we invite his attention to those dressed-up lollypops. They will delight the children. A lollypop Is a flat piece of candy on the end of a stick and It lasts a long time. All sorts of little figures of things animate and Inanimate are made by

dressing up lollypops in crepe paper. One end of the stick is thrust into a disk of heavy cardboard and arms and legs are provided by small wires fastened about the stick. The faces 'are painted on wax paper, over the lollypop. Fruits and vegetables, fairies, soldiers, dolls, dancing girls, clowns — there is no limit the things that can be made in this way. ALWAYS WELCOME CHINA. Here are a cake basket and a bonbon dish made of small pilates set in baskets of paper rope. They are the sort of gift the housewife always welcomes and require a small outlay of money and the time of the maker. With pret-

tily deeorated plates and the clever use of paper and twine, handsome baskets reward the efforts of those who learn the art of basketry. The baskets shown are In dark brown, and that one holding the bonbon dish Is brightened with a yellow cord woven in a cross pattern over the braid. RIBBONS AND LACES IN CAPS. Along comes Christmas, each year attended by a bevy of adorable breakfast caps always prettier than those of other years. Here are two which will

solve at once the problem of what to give to the friend you hope to please* The little cap at the top is a glorified and frivolous version bf the sunbonnet. It is made of val lace edg-

ing and insertion in a flat medallionshaped piece over the top of the head and a little cape that hangs from the back. A band of pink moire ribbon Is brought across the top of the cap and ties m the back at the nape of the neck. It is encouraged to be useful and stay In place by the company of clusters of the tiniest chiffon roses. A band of hemstitched taffeta, edged with lace and trimmed with a zig-zag band of little blossoms, makes the other enticing cap. It fastens at the side under a bow of narrow satin ribbop, with snap fasteners. , - NECKWEAR FOR CHRISTMAS. No more acceptable present can be found for any woman ypuiig or old than the collar and cuff sets of organdie which add so much to the tailored suit or the one-piece frock. For the younger women these sets are shown In pale tints or in white with ruffles in light

colors. In all-white they are suitable to any age. The set pictured is a favorite for street wear or with tailored suits. It is of white organdie having little ruffles in light tan color. Handsome sets are also made of white and cream or ivory satin but nothing is more durable or dainty than organdie.

CHRISTMAS CANDLES. This year’s Christmas candles will be dressed out with shades In red, white and blue, as well as tn the accustomed red and green. Here are two, among many others, in which the national colors are skillfully used to make graceful shades. The shade at the left is mainly red with white and blue In ruffles and braided strands about the top and bottom. White over red in the other candle makes a pretty background for small

flags pasted to the crepe paper. This shade is tied about the top with narrow blue ribbon. A tiny basket and box for salted nuts, or confections, are shown with the candles. The basket is made of braided strands of paper in red, .white and blue, to match the candle at the left, wliile the box is a repetition of white over red, xtied with blue ribbon as in the shade of the other candle. THE LANTERN BAG. No matter how many laundry bags have vainly besought our male friends to be orderly, this lantern bag has every chance of success in fulfilling its mission. It is a thing of beauty that will never be relegatdd to a closet, but Is destined to spend its days hung

in a conspicuous place to be admired. Its envied owner cannot lose sight of It or refuse to behave as he should when soiled collars or handkerchiefs are to be disposed of. The lantern bag makes a beautiful gift for anyone and is made of Japanese silk, red velvet and gold braid. It is finished with handsome silk tassels and suspended by a silk ,cord. A cover is made for the top of (the lantern and fastened by the clip through the braid used for binding.