Middletown transcript., 1868-04-25
Good Counsel.
From the New York Ledger.
ADVICE TO YOUNG LADIES.
BY MISS NJ. L. ALCOTT.

One of the trials of woman-kind is the
fear of being an old maid To escape this
dreadful doom young girls rush into mat
rimony with recklcssness that astonshes
the beholder; never pausing to remember
that the loss Of liberty, happiness and self
respect, is poorly repaid by the barren
honor of being called d" Mrs" instead of
Miss"
Fortunately, this foolish prejudice is
fast disappearing, conquered by the sue
cess of certain class belonging to the Sis
terhood. This class is composed of supe-
rior women who, from various causes, re-
some earnest work; espousing philanthro-
py, art, literature, music, medicine, or
whatever task taste, necessity, or chance
suggests, and remaining as faithful to and
as happy in their choice as married wo-
men with husbands and homes. 1t being
my good fortune to know several such, /
venture to offer little sketch of them to
those of my young countrywomen who,
from choice or necessity, stand alone, seek
ing to find the happiness which is the right
of all.
Here is L. rich mans daughter; pret-
ty, accomplished, sensible and good. She
tried fashionable life and found that it did
not satisfy her. No lover was happy
enough to make response in her heart,
and at twenty-three she looked about her
for something to occupy and interest her.
She was attracted towards the study of
medicine; became absorbed in it; went
alone to Paris and London studied faith
fully; received her diploma, and, having
practiccd successfully for time, was ap-
pointed the resident physician of city
hospital. Here, doing truly womanly
work, she frs no time for ennui, unhap-
piness, or the vague longing for some
thing to fill heart and life, which leads so
many women to take refuge in frivolous or
dangerous amusements and pursuits. She
never talks of her mission or her rights,
but beautifully fulills the one and quietly
assumes the others. Few criticise or con-
denim her course, and none question her
success. Respected and beloved by all
who know her, she finds genuine satisfac-
tion in her work, and is the busiest, hap
piest, most useful woman know.
Next comes M. a brilliant, talented,
girl, full Of energy, ambition, and noble
aspirations. Poor, yet attractive, through
natural gifts and graces, to her came the
great temptation of such a girls life-a
.rich lover; an excellent young man, but
her inferior in all respects. She felt this,
and 80 did he, but hoping that love would
make them equals, he urged hissuit.
IF loved him." she said, "my way
would be plain, and / should not hesitate
minute. But l do not; I've tried, and
am sure neuer can feel towards him as
/ should. 1t is great temptation, for
long to cultivate my talent to help nv
family, to see the world, and enjoy life,
and all this may be done if I say 'Yes. 5"
People tell me I am foolish to reject this
good fortune; that it is my duty to accept
it; that l shall get on very we'll without
love, and talk as if it were business
transaction. 1t is hard to say " No." but
must, for in marriage want to look up,
not down.. cannot make it seem right
to take this offer, and must let it 60, for
i dare not sell my liberty"
She made her choice, turned away from
the pleasant. future laid before her, and
took up her load again. With her one
talent in her hand she faced poverty,
1cheerfully teaching music, year after year;
hoping always, complaining never, and
finding herself a stronger, happier woman
for that act. A richer woman also; for,
though the husband was lost, true friend
was gained-since the lover, with respect
added to his love said manfully, " She is
right; God bless her!"
s, is poor, plain, ungifted, and ordinary
in all things but one-a cheerful, helpful
spirit, that loves its neighbor better than
itself, and cannot rest till it has proved its
sincerity. Few, so placid, would have
lived forty hard, dull years, without be-