Plenty of persons have troubles, but they don’t shake them out and beat the dust out of them and hang them up in the air all the time and display them for the entertainment of their acquaintances. There is no such thing as being without troubles, and when you run across a woman who gives you a smile and a bright little word don’t tell yourself that it is easy for her, that she hasn’t anything to worry about.
One never knows. She may have, all buried in the depths of her heart, more trouble to the square inch than you have ever heard about. It doesn’t pay to be grumpy. Not a bit of it. It doesn’t pay to be a member of the Tearful Society, either. The only thing that counts is a brave heart filled to the roof with simple, honest charity.
You have seen those awful parlors, haven’t you, in the country districts, where the shades are always drawn and Mme. Moth has garden parties in every corner of the carpet and funereal pictures hang from the wall, and when you open the door you are struck deaf, dumb, blind, and senseless with the frightful mustiness that finally chases you out in the free air?
Some persons shut up their hearts just the same way. Open up the windows. Let sunshine fairies mob the place. Scatter the moths of mortal mind helter-skelter and dig out the bad-conscience corners. You will have a nice, clean, hygienic feeling after your heart housecleaning.
Suddenly you will find you are having a garden party there; you will find yourself entertaining beautiful thoughts, and you will wonder how you ever lived under the old régime when you displayed so little hospitality. It is a fine thing to know how to welcome the big feelings of life. Don’t forget that laughter is a good tonic and a near-panacea for many ills.
LOTION FOR THAT “TIRED” FEELING
Take one-quarter pint of alcohol—the recipe can be doubled or tripled if desired—one ounce each of spirits of camphor and ammonia, two and a half ounces of sea salt and one pint of boiling water; mix thoroughly and always shake before using. If a woman comes in tired from a day’s shopping, a long walk, or any other wearying exertion, apply the tonic to the face and arms, and it will magically remove all of that “tired” feeling and put one in fine condition for the evening.
Another delightful and refreshing bath water, which is said to come from Portugal, is made from two and one-half ounces each of eau de rose and eau fleur d’orange, one and a quarter ounces of eau de myrte, one-half drachm of essence of ambergris and one-quarter drachm of essence of musk. After thoroughly commingling the ingredients, keep closely corked in a bottle for a week in the dark—it were better if it remained even two weeks—then pour off the clear liquid. A little poured into the basin of water in which the face is washed will revive and freshen the complexion wonderfully.
ONE SIDE OF THE FINANCIAL QUESTION BETWEEN MAN AND WIFE
The philosophy of clothes is a serious study, and instead of being frowned upon by men, who invariably associate it with wild extravagance, it should be incorporated as first among the bylaws of home life. Women in many cases are largely responsible for the troubles and misunderstandings which arise, brought about, as they often are, on the very threshold of married life.