The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-03-05

hundred people specially invited to wit
ness the ceremony; but "she wouldn't
have any one know she is engaged for
the worldl it would be too embarrassingl'
Now where is Che difference, we should
like to know? Youths and maidens that
are as easily embarrassed as all this, ought
to refrain entirely from contact with this
wicked world and go into a convent at
once!
"But people are SO critical" Well, let
them criticise. They have all of them
been through this critical stage of life
themselves-or else expect to; and what
difference does their idle comment make?
If you are honestly and truly in love, you
won't care if they talk the ends Of their
tongues off! We, for our part, know of
no more beautiful or exalted sight in all
the earth than two happy young lovers
reading for the first time the hidden mys-
teries of each others hearts, elinging to
each others companionship with that
strange. sweet instinct wherein you see
Gods hand so plainly, blending soul and
spirit into union that transforms even
this dull, every day existence into heaven
itself for whllel Are we sentimental
Then Nature is sentimental, and the BIZ
BILE is sentimental, and all the world is
sentimental with usl Would there were
more OF sentimentl
Do not be over-Sensitive, or hypercrit-
ical because you are engaged. Shut your
eyes to the little faults from whose do
minion none of US are exempt, and open
your heart wide to the noble qualities
that first won your love, If you put on
a pair of spectaces with the deliberate
intention of finding errors and follies, it
will go hard but that your search will be
rewarded, and you win be made comfort
ably miserable. We can offer no sympa-
thy for such trouble as this. Men and
women are not like houses that can be al
tered or rebuilt, or garments that can be
made over. If you take them, you must
take them just as they are, and it is for
you only to decide whether to take them
or leave them alone. Don't let busy
bodies come to you to carp at the man or
woman to whom you are engaged. Stop
all such comments peremptorily and at
once. Let mischief makers feel the
weight of your honest indignation; such
intermeddling as this puts those who at
tempt it beyond the pale of common OIL
Witty. What would you think of the
man who says of your newly purchased
house, to your very face, ~ wouldn't
have bought such tumble-down old
shell as that; I'm surprised at yourchoiee
of location; depend upon it, you've got a
bad barga:nP' Why, he would deserve
to be turned out of doors on the instant.
And the woman who says, "Well, poor
thingl dare say you think that new silk
is very 6ne, but it won't wear-it will
spot, and fray, and fade in ten weeks; it's
a poor quality, and you paid a great
price for it, and it don't become you, at
that! would you not consider her i'm
Ipertinence below the compliment of no.
tice? How much more promptly should
you resent criticism on the partner and
companion of your future existencel-
Don't tolerate it fer an instant, if you
expect any happiness in married life!
| More engagements have been broken off
more hearts have been blighted-more
miserable cid maids and sour old bache-
lors have dated their single blessedness
from such interference as this than the
lightning Calculator could estimate in
his widest mathematical frenzy!
And, girls, let US whisper in your ears
one word of advice: Don't ''seE" your.
selves to death because you are going to
become Mrs. Somebody. Blessed is the
man who goes to furnishing store and
buys shirts, coats, and cravats in one mis-
cellaneous heap. He does not lay the
foundation of dyspepsia, consumption,
and spine disease to sweeten married life
with. Sensible fellow! he takes things
coolly; and why cannot you partially en-
ulate hisexample? Anybody would think
from the beaten track our pretty fancecs
follow, that they expected, Immediately
after the marriage ceremony, to emigrate
to desert island. where drygoods stores
were unknown and sewing machines un-
heard of. What is the common sense in
1 providing six dozen articles when one
dozen would be an ample quantity? "Be-
cause other people do it" Very well;
are you then to be fool because other
people we're fools before you? "Because
you want to outdo Mary Smith, It is a
pity you don't follow out your principle
and marry two husbands, because Mary
Smith had only one! John will think
it SO strange if l don't have plenty of ey-
lerything." All, you poor little thing!
John will think it sadder and stranger
still if the pretty, rosy girl he wooed and
won changes into pale, pettish invalid,
and all the rich embroideres you toll
over SO perseveringly serve only to deck
you in the slender coffin in which we shall
. lay you down to rest! Be sensible about
all these things. A complete wardrobe
, is a very nice affair-but health and
strength and sparkling eyes are nicer
! STILL just ask the young man chiefly
. concerned, aud see if he don't entirely
agree with us in the matter. go
Perhaps we might condense the whole
Of our sage counsel into the-brief words
: of the blessed Apostle, sLove one an.
} lotherl'' Follow the broad meaning Of
! this injunction and you cannot go wrong
t Love one another--trust one another, full.
lily, freely, and implicitly. Mind your
/ own business, and see that other people
mind theirs. BE frank and outspoken
and put the best Interpretation on what
L \ y - II 4 L.