Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 August 1883 — The Wife’s Influence. [ARTICLE]

The Wife’s Influence.

Two gentlemen, at a large reception in New York, were discussing one of the foremost politicians of the country, a man who, whether in office or out, always keeps himself prominently before the public. “I knew him at college,” said one of the gentlemen. “He was a man with a clear head, extraordinary memory and much personal magnetism. But I cannot understand why he chose a public life or has pushed himself forward so persistently. He was a lazy, thoughtful, visionary fellow,, absolutely destitute of ambition.” “I can tell you the secret,” said the other. “You will find it in his wife’s nose. There she is! did you ever see a more perfect incarnation of enegy and love of command. Napoleon would have chosen her for one of his Marshals at first sight.” His friend was amused at the guest, and said, presently: “There is another of my old classmates, P. He was a thin, ambitious, scholarly fellow, with refined tastes and high aims. He now is a I#, indolent animal, without a thought, apparently, but his cognac and terrapin, \vi.o "is to blame for that?” “His wife’s mouth and her money. I will show her to you.” He^ pointed out a gross, voluptuous woman, richly dressed? “P.” he sumed, “has lived in idleness since his marriage. He was not strong enough to carry the weight of so muoh wealth and so much vulgarity. They have borne him down. He will never rise.” Young men at school and college are very apt to be enraptured with a sparkling eye, a rosy cheek or some charm of manner in some young woman that they happen to meet. They are hardly masters of themselves; and a moonlight night, or a song, suddenly tempts them to ask the enchanting creature who has bewitohed them to share their future. They do not consider that she will be the most real, active force in their whole lives, almost irresistible with power to drag them down or to lift them up in body, mind and soul.— Youth’s Companion. The following is said to be an excellent stain for giving light-colored wood the appearance of black walnut: Take Brunswick black, thin it down with turpentine until it is about the right tone and color, and then add about onetwentieth of its bulk of varnish. This mixture, it is said, will dry hard and take varnish well. Friendship is the only thing in the world concerning the usesulness of whioh all mankind are agreed.-^-Cieero.