THE LADIES’ WORLD.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2701, 4 January 1910, Page 3

THE LADIES’ WORLD.

, THE HOUSEHOLD PURSE. (•‘Woman’s Life.”)' Money quarrels are at the root of about one-half the disagreements between husband and wife. 1 know that was the case in my married life. Of course, I was to blame for not putting matters on a sensible basis when I was first married. Instead of going to John honestly and asking him to talk things over, I brooded in secret over what I called liis meanness over money matters. As a business girl with a good salary, I had always been independent. I could buy or not as I chose, or as I could afford, and never required to ask anyone for money. So that it seemed strange to me to have to go to John for every half-crown I required. “I will pay the weekly bills,” said John, ‘‘and you can ask me for any little sum you may require for odd things and personal expenses.” Now, every wife who has experienced having to keep house without a definite allowance will linderstand that things very soon began to go wrong. I simply hated going to John at all sorts of odd times to ask for money. “Money again.” he would say, chaffinglv. “Why, you are always wanting money,” and it used to annoy me. I was very likely foolishly sensitive about the matter; and, so allowed tilings to drift. One day I read two verses in a magazine of twenty' years ago which seemed to fit my ease exactly. They were written by a woman disappointed in matrimony, a selfish, greedy woman, whose opinions I had. no business to 'think twice about, but they left a sting behind. W::en I was young I used to earn My living without trouble; Had clothes and pocket money, too, And hours of pleasure double. I never dreamed of such a fate When I a lass was courted, AYife, mother, nurse, seamstress, cook Housekeeper, chambermaid, laundress, Dairy-woman and scrub Generally, doing the work of six For the sake of being supported. When I read that ridiculous poem I thought of all the times John had been snappy over money. I thought of the hats 1 bad done without and the new gloves I badly needed, but would not “stoop” to ask for the money. I worked myself into a childish rage against .John and matrimony generally. But by-and-bye better thoughts canto. I had a good long “think” over the money question. It. occurred to me that probably John would be open to reason if I told him quietly and nicely how much I would prefer having a fixed allowance for housekeeping and personal expenses. I thought I could save beiter if I paid cash for everything and managed my house more economically in every way. So we had a serious talk. To my amazement John was as nice as he could be. Would you believe it, lie had never thought I minded asking for money, and when lie had been cross, it was because he had been tight for money himself and was worried in consequence. “Let us pay cash for everything.” 1 said, “and give up bills altogether. Suppose you give me what you car, rfford every week, and I must keep within that sum.” I felt ashamed of the big bill s John paid every week with only a sigh and an occasional word of remonstrance at the amount. How careless I had been in ordering stores and meat which had often spoiled by keeping, and so were unfit to use. After that talk, perfect confidence existed between us. Quito unconsciously I had been spending far more money than John could afford, and we ho dr a tew debts to pay off. It meant strictest economy, but we managed, and i.hera was a wonderful satisfaction in working together for an end in view. Tluni I. paid ready money for everything, and I found that I got things a good deal cheaper. Also that I could make the money go farther by paying “money down” at every shop. In a short time I began to save. Only a shilling a week at first, but gradually more, and what a pleasure it was! 1 am sure if I had not saved for a rainy day in these early days of matrimony I would have had hard times later on when children began to come and doctor's bill had to be reckoned with. No reasonable woman wants to have a bigger share than her husband can afford. But, at the same time, she has a right to something for herself, if it is only a shilling a week. How would a man like to have to coax his wife for every sixpence he spends on tobacco? Some of the very nicest men are a little difficult about money, so that it is always wise to have an arrangement about allowances from the first. It will save endless jars and discords and unnecessary irritation on both sides.

THE CARE OF THE FINGERNAILS. A band that bears ugly finger-nails can never be described as truly beautiful. for ugly nails spoil a pretty hand more than bad teeth mar a pretty face. Yet finger-nails need never be ugly. They can be made things of joy if proper attention is devoted to their care. The nails should be trimmed with thin curved scissor s or nail-clippers about once a week, but they should be left long enough to protect the ends of the fingers and not injure the quick. Before trimming allow the tips of the fingers to remain in warm water for a few minutes, which will soften the •nail and prevent cracking. In the trimming, the form of the linger .should be followed as closely as possible. Some fingers are tapering, while others are round, flat or blunt. The blunt finger will look better if the nail is tapered. The nails should never be scraped with a knife or other metallic substance. Any cleaning that is necessary can be done with an orange-wood stick, and all adhering skin can be loosened by this means and the assisl'gce of a reliable bleach. This formulV gives a nail-cleaner and bleach .harmless and effective—Tartaric add, one drachm; rosewater, one ounce, mix and filter. In washing the nails, use a good nail- 1 brush and pure soap containing no grit. Hang-nails are caused by tlie skin adhering to them. To prevent this the skin should be loosened from the nails several times a week with an orangewood stick or other blupt instrument. Biting the finger-nails is entirely due to nervousness in young people, but in those of mature age forgetfulness is often the cause. The remedy is simply. Obtain a solution made up as follows: —Quinine /sulphate, 1 clrachm ; F.E. quassia, 1 drachm; water. loz; and apply it to’'the nails several times a day and always after washing the hands.