The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1843-08-18
Old Bachelors.

Old Bachelors.
The true character Of the old bachelor
is not generally held in proper estimation
by the mass of society. The following
eloquent defence Of them we clip from
the Pennsylvania. We think it does
them justice. Who but kind old bach
elor can bring smile upon the pale cheek
of the widow--a laugh from the young
breast of the orphan, and inspire hope
in the Responding souls Of fading beau.
ty But 10 tho article.
"The life Of bachelor is rs full of be-
neyolence as the sun is Of light. wherever
he goes he is regarded as common pro-
perty. or rather common blessing, and
all avail themselves Of his kindness, in
diligence and simplicity as freely as they
breathe the atmosphere. There is not a
mother who does not look upon him as
the husband of her daughter, provided her
more youthful expectations shall be dis
appointed elsewhere. He is considered
resource against all contingencies of this
kind; and then the widows too, they re-
gard him as one provideniially left in this
state to meet their condition besides this,
the little children of the whole neighbour
hood look TO him as a sort of common UNI
Gle; they run 10 meet him as he walks
gather around his chair as he sits, climb
his knees, finger his locks, pick out his
breastpin, and get his watch out of his
pocket TO their ear, and then they want to
know when he is going to take another
ride in his carryaN, when he is going to
Mrs. BustIc's fancy shop, or Mrs. Fill
berl's confectionery. He, with benev-
olencc that melts like dew on the tender
plants, instead of feeling himself annoyed,
has smile, kiss and promise for each
and for all.-And he will keep that prom
Use too; he is the only being in the world
who keeps his promises to children.
But he is not only this kind and benev-
olent being, when those around him arc
in health, but more especially SO, when
sickness has oyertaken any of them. He
will hunt all day 10 find bird that may
suit the weak, or fastidious stomach Of
the patient; and though after all this
palns-,aking, not bone Of it may be
picked, yet he is just as ready to start
next day and look up another, and all this
is done for wife, widow, or child alike.
If death renders vain these kind a,len-
tons, his benevolence flows in another
channel. Those mourning dresses,
which were beyond her grief, have been.
unbeknown to others, supplied by him /;
for he letleth not lis left know what
his right hand doeih. Often the simple
slab is erected by him, and still oftener
those left in orph:nage and wan. share
the affection and solitude of his pa,ernal
heart. Were his hearth large enough,
they would all be grouped about it,
group now more dear TO him as their other
supports and hopes have been broken.
Such are the feelings and such the be-
nevoleni habits Of the good old bachelor.
lie is blessing to the community in
which he lives. lie is husband for oil
the widows, and all those disappointed
elsewhere; he is the indulgent uncle of
all the children; he attends to the sick,
bures the dead, and takes care OF the iv-
ing.-Blcssings on him; blessings on his
occupation, blessings on his memory"