Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 May 1894 — Decorative Wives. [ARTICLE]

Decorative Wives.

Harper's Bazar. Men carry from different motives. Most of them, doubtless, from affection, from affinity, from desire to increase their comfort or content. Others again are impelled to matrimony rather by external than by internal considerations. Among these are men of copious means, to whom home signifies a handsome, complete establishment, and a wife a superb, harmonious figure to preside over it. They set out, therefore, on their quest in a calm mood, with definite aim, little liable to be turned aside from their one purpose. As they are clear headed, energetic, practical, not easily discouraged or frustrated, they invariably succeed. The woman they have secured has instinct and perception enough to know for what she is wanted, however much the chief want may have been concealed. The implied contract between her husband and herself is that he will furnish all that is needed to make his home luxurious, elegant, materially attractive, and she is to be its social high priestess. And the contract is usually well carried out. For with a large income this is not difficult. The pair are for the most part admirably and mutually adapted. He is socially ambitious; so is she. They supplement one another excellently. What he wishes she can fully and most becomingly execute. She entirely understands what he can only suggest. Her sixth and seventh senses, which women alone possess, her tact, her management, her sub tie insight, are invaluable. They yield a usurious though intangible interest on every dollar of his many investments. They enrich hint where he is most eager to be rich, far beyond the accumulation of hi: niillions, and he is so grateful that at times he almost loves her.

The Shah of Persia is supersti tiotis. He always carries with him when he travels a circle of amber, which is said to have fallen from heaven in Mohammed’s time anc renders the wearer invulnerable; t casket of gold, which makes him .n visible at will, and a star, which u potent to make conspirators instant ly confess their crime.