The literary echo. (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1851, 1851-08-14
The Fear Of Being an Old Maid.
ny MRS. L. u. HALE.

When was little girl, I was a fat
merry, jolly dumpling, as happy as the day
was long Every body pinched my red
cheeks, and I waddlcd about with my doll
in my plump arms, finding fun in every
thing, and fully believing that my doll was
as sensible as myself; and perhaps she was
almost. But though had a natural an
tipathy to spelling book, and had nc
fondness for spending long summers
afternoon in poking a needle in and out o.
bit of calico though | considered patch
work all foolishness, and gussets as utter
superfuitics tho I was called a simpletor
for asking my mother why she cut clotl
up and then sewed it together again, still
was fond of picking up ideas after my Owl
fashion. When the wise people arounC
me supposed was thinking Of nothing bu
my play, my two little ears were open tc
every word spoken in my hearing AM
many were the words impressed on my
memory, which the speaker forgot tn,
next moment.
When l was ten years old, l had one
sister aged fifteen, and another seventeen
and, as usual with girls at that age, they
had set of cronies, some very like, anc
some quite unlike them in character. On'
afternoon, as 1 was tending my doll, Ophc
lia, VINO Was sick in bed, | heard a brisl
discussion among these girls, which, may
almost say, decided my fate for life.
The first words which caught my atten
ton came from an animated romantic cir
of sixteen, scolding because the heroine
of novel she had just read was left un
married at the end of the story.
One of the sisters did not seem to sym
pathisc with this burst of disapprobation
and then came the pithy question:
"What would you be willing to die al
old maid -
Mary said very quietly, "Yes; )" anc
sister Ellen added, $50 would l."
Then such looks of amazemcnt and in
credulity. "You can't mean what yol
say" cried one. off I did not know yor
too well to think you ,hypocrite," sale
another. "Why it was meant that all wo
men should be married." exclaimed ;
third.
"Then why are they not all married !"
asked Mary with simplicity.
Eager and hot grew the controversy
and l lost not a word, while Ophe,ia lay
fiat on her back, her stiff kid arms stick.
ing out, and her Group quite forgotten
Then first did | take notice of that terri
bic combination of monGsyllables, Old
Maid" In how many different tones o.
contempt, dread and depreciation, did ]
hear it uttered by these Juvenile voices
What anecdotes came forth about cross
old maids, and fdgety old maids, and ugly
and dressy, and learned, and pious, anc
flirting, and mischief making old maids
Never did bevy of fifty year old spinster
utter so much scandal in one afternoon, al
was poured forth by these blooming youns
creatures.
Two or three friends of my mother
whom had always cherished in my limo
cent affections, because they talked 81
pleasantly and were SO kind to me, nov
appears like new personages. {" Miss z
was so ugly, she never could have had al
offer" "Miss Y. dressed so shabby, and
wore green spectacles to look literary
And Miss A. was forever talking abou
Sunday school and Exeter Hall meetings,
and SO on.
| You may be sure that the next tim'