The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1851-11-20
MATRIMONY.


4 The True Democrat, published over
Joliet, Ills, is edited by lady, Mrs. HoI
kins, and very ready writer she is. ]
lhe last number Of her paper che discourse
thus upon disparity Of years in masrlmon
I've copy it just for our lady readers:-
When we visited S. some years ego; W
became acquainted with lady, yet ia III
Ivigor Of life, whose husband was al Icas
ninety five. She was intellectual and 10
teresting, with flow Of spirits that chill
might have envied. He was decrepit
thin, half blind, deaf, gouty piece Of mortal
lity; and we wondered why she marrlet
him.
She told US: when she was but seventeen
she was servant in the family Of Mr.. A.
rich widower, about fifty, who was at
,ractcd by she didn't say exactly what
but we Inferred. and they we're married
What calculation?
Now, if time could have been arrested IL
its flight, in one instance, and he, then IN
The early autumn Of manhood, could have
remained there--at that very post, marked
80, while she Of sweet seventeen, for al,
feciiou's snkc made all haste 10 oyertake
him, il might have been well and good.
But Time waits for no one in particular
and so, he whirled them them on together
his rapid river--and
wrinkle after wrinkle appeared upon the
vi.age Of the husband, aud his chest rece-
ded, and his shoulders rounded, and his toes
became painful with gout, and his voice
grew less kindly ia its tones; and, at last
he forgot bis own hey day Of manhood, and
wondered why she, yet in the meridian of
| life, could see any Of the flowers and gems
before her face, that he, her sbettcr half
had ceased to care for.
Poor old grandfather! he was tired ofall
the pleasures Of society: while she was ei
light hearted and loveabIe woman.
Ho! you that say disparity Of years
makes no difference in matrimony, would
you willingly stand in the place Of the com
panionless mortal Of ninety five, with q
wife that considered you more tax than
blessing; or, would you be willing to per-
form the varied duties Of a loving wife to
the wreck Of manhood Of niae.y-fvef
True, some hearts never wax old. God
has given them an elasticity Of spirit that
surmounts all the changes and circumstan-
ces of life !; and we have known few, as
fresh in their feelings, and as loving hus-
bands at sixty ns they were at thirty, but
these instances are rare. Sweet seven
teen might risk herself with the excep-
tions.
We have sometimes heard it remarked
when young girl was married to an old
widower: well hswiI soon die and leave
her rich, young widow Look out for
that you that wait for people to die! Don'i
you know that those persons who are wish
ed out Of the way nerer die.
We knew an old maid once, who remem-
bered Just how old she was TO day-which
some don't--and she had . comfortable for
tune; and the nephews and nieces began
TO say: when Aunt Betsy dies, we will de-
so-and so. And the old lady overheard
some Of the expressions which INDICATED
The exact amount Of their affection for her
money, and she said to US smilingly--sbe
was pleasant soul-sI may live to bury
all Of them.' Can you believe il, she out
lived them all: and, when we last saw her,
her outward self was as withered as dried
apple, but her heart was as fresh and green
as ever, and her health good, and we trust
she is ye, the life and light of select cir
Gle Of friends who have soul enough 10 ap-
preciate the intellectual gem which lies bid
in the time worn casket.
But we commenced chaiteing upon mat
rimony, and here We are, like locomotive
of the track, intruding upon the sanctity
Of single biessedness.'
Dear, kind, forgiving reader, marry hor
and when you will, for there's no control
ing you. marry in haste, 10 repent a,
leisure