Des Arc citizen., 1860-05-19
Something for Ladies The Other Side
 of the Question.
BY MRS. GEORGE WASHINGTON wYLLYs.

The latest outcry about matrimony is that people can't afford it. Young men find the girls so dreadfully expensive. You see fellow might as well sport a pair of fast horses as fast wife. Both very nice things, no doubt, for those that can afford them. If it didn't cost so much pretty wife qoouLd rather add to one's importance-say nothing of keeping the stockings in order, and getting up nice little dinners and tempting breakfasts. But then, between the opera boxes, poke bonnets, diamond brooches, and brocade dresses, that the sweet creatures require, there wouldn't be thread of broadclo,h left of, any unfortunate chap. A wife needs new dress forty times a year, and horse don't-that's the philosophy of the matter, Oh, yes, matrimonys decidedly fine thing. but too expensive by half. Ladies must really learn to haul in their expenditures little, if they expect to avoid being old maids.
 This is what the delightful young crea- lures whom society calls eligible gentle men," glory Tn proclaiming on every pos sible and impossible occasion. But haven't the ladies word or two to say on the same subject! aa
 Marry Augustus Jonesa Out of the question. Not but what he's nice young man enough -whiskers jus. the right color, and a positive genius at flute-play- ing. But you see thefe are other things which i, is woman's duty to consider. Can I afford it? Can 1 reasonably ex- pect. with our income, to keep him in peg-top trowsers and ivory-headed caness ? Can keep his cologne bottles filled and his cigar case supplied with the best Colo rados? Who's to foot his little bills for his champagne and oyster suppers !? Who's to go to parties with him, head ache or no headache. whenever he feels like society, and stay meekly at home to read the paper and sing to him whenever he don't2 Am I, who never could hold my tongue for two consecutive minutes at a time, to open and shut my mouth only at the sovereign bidding of my husband {? Am I, whose greatest pleasure in life Is asking questions, to hold my tongue when he comes in late at night, and never to find out who gave him that dear little sprig of Heliotrope? Am l, who've always been brought up to believe tha. eyes were made to be used, never 10 look at beaver hat without being frightened out of years growth by Augustus's in- d;gnant diatribes? can tell you can't afford it. No, sir, I'm not going to put my dear little foot into it, without a clear understanding on the subject. If the gen. tlemen will put themselves on a stated allowance of tobacco and trowsers-if they will spend just so much per annum on wine and political betting, we girls might, possibly, save some of 'em from becoming snufy bachelors. Otherwise--no is Who cares if we are old maids-I mean | if we do live to become twenty five years old without getting married. We have a pretty fair chance of living in peace twenty five more, which isn't the case If l We are fastened to extfavagant husbands. Don't think Imean to be severe, Au- gustus-I wouldn't hurt your feelings for the world. Only, my dear little man, you are so "fast." Don't you think 1t would be more manly life for you to be splitting wood and carrying water for your mamma, instead of screwing up your eye-gass at the girls on Broadway 1? Well-regulated girls would be twice as apt to like you. And wouldn't il be a better plan for you 10 be reading Cornell's Geography by the back paflef fire than driving on the Bloomingdale road :? De pend upon it, your chance for good home, under the protection of sensible wife, would be dozen to one greater. Nice, rosy-cheeked girls can't afford to throw themselves away on miserable, milk -and-water. lancer-dancing, white handed, good -lor-nolhing, jack-a-dandies like you. You are an expensive article, Augustus, and you won't wash and wear
 That's our way of looking al the matter TLife Illustrated. o..,,,.s ,....,..