Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-11-11

parents and relatives, No, Alice; there is q
false sentiment prevailing on this subject. and
as think and talk [ see ii more and more
clearly. Our parents have been weak in their
love for us; and society, as constituted, has
given US wrong estimates Of things. We should
have been required to do useful work in the
household, from the beginning; and should
have been taught that idleness and self-indul-
gence were discreditable. Our brothers are put
to trades and professions, and made to compre-
bend. from the beginning, that industry is hon.
orable, and that the way of useful work is the
way by which the worlds brightest places are
to be reached. But we are raised daintily and
uselessly, and so fitted for our duties as wives
and mothers. Our Ipride and self-esteem are
fOstered; and we come to think of ourselves as
future queens, who are to be ministered to in
all things, instead Of being ministrant, in low
ing self-forgetfulness, to others. No wonder
that an anti-marriage sentiment is beginning
to prevail amongst young men Of moderate
incomes, in all our large cities. The fault is
demand too much in this copartnership. We
are not willing to do our share of work. Our
husbands must bear all the burdens
Alice sighed heavily. Her friend continued !:
II have read somewhere that the delight of
heaven is the delight of being useful. And it
seems to me, as dwell upon the thought, that
he nearest approach to heavenly delight here
when she stands by her husbands side, and,
out Of love for him, removes one burden and
another from his shoulders, and so lightens his
work that smiles take the place of WEAKNESS
and the shadOwings of care. If he be rich,
she can hardly have so great a privilege !;
but if they are alike poor, and know how to
moderate their desires, their home may be-
come an image of Paradise. Eight hundred
dollars Alice, if you were really fitted to
become Harry's wife, you might live with him,
dsing your part happier than queen.
THAT is, must takeia work, and earn
money, if We board; or-but housekeeping is
out u the question"
mo, it should never be out of the question
in marriage, think"
But house-rent alone would take half of our
income"
''That does not follow"
1T does not for any house I would consent
to live in"
$50 pride is stronger than love. But pride
mas Its wages as we'll as love, and the one is
bitter while the other is sweet 1t is this pride
OF appearances, this living for the eyes of
other people who do not care penny for us,
that Is marring the fair fabric of our social
life Fine houses fine dresses, parties, shows,
and costly luxuries Of all kinds, are consuming
domestic happiness, and burdening fathers and
husbands in all grades Of society, with embar-
rassment and wretchedness. Alice, we must
be wiser in our generation"
That Is, coop ourselves up in two or three
mean little rooms, with eight hundred dollar
year husbands, and to do our own cooking
and housework. Is that it, my pretty one ?''
"Alice You do not deserve a good man.
You are not worthy to wed Harry Peasants,
and trust you will pass him by, should he be
weak enough to offer you bis hand. He can t
afford to marry girl of your expectations; he
must content himself with one who, like him
self, regards life as real, life in earnest and
the way of use and duty the way to true honor
and the highest happiness