The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-04-09

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the fear of being an old maid. To es-
cape this dreadful doom, young girls
rush into matrimony with recklessness
which astonishes the beholder; never
pausing to remember that the loss of
liberty, happiness and self-respcct is
poorly repaid by the barren honor of
being "Mrs." instead of ssMiss."
Fortunately, this foolish prejudice is
fast disappearing, conquered by the sue
cess of a certain class belonging to the
sisterhood. This class is composed of
superior women who, from various
causes, remain single, and devote them
selves to some earnest work; espousing
philanthrophy, art, literature, music,
medicine, or whatever task. taste, neces-
sity, or chance suggests, and remaining
faithful to and as happy in their choice
as married women 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 eountrywomen who, from choice
Or necessity, stand alone, seeking to find
the happiness which is the right Of all.
Here is L., rich mans daughter;
pretty, 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 toward
the study of medicine; became absorbed
in it; went alone to Paris and London;
studied faithfully; received her diploma,
and, having practiced successfully for
time, was appointed the resident physi-
clan of a city hospital. Here, doing a
truly womanly work, she finds no time
for ennui, unhappiness, or the vague
longing for something to fill heart and
life, which leads SO many women to take
refuge in frivolous or dangerous amuse-
ments and pursuits. She never talks of
her mission or her rights, but beautifully
others. Few criticise or condemn her
course, and none question her success.
Respected and beloved by all who know
her, she finds genuine satisfaction in her
work, and is the busiest, happiest, most
useful woman whom I know.
Next come NJ, 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
girls life-a rich lover; an excellent
young man, but her inferior in all re-
spects. She felt this, and so did he, but
hoping that love would make them
equals, he urged his suit.
eff loved him. she said, "my way
would be plain, and should not hesi-
tate minute. But do not; I've tried,
and I am sure never can feel toward
him as I should. 1t is great tempta-
ton, for long to cultivate my talent to
help my family. to see the world and
enjoy life, and all this may be done if I
say, Yes People tell me that / am
foolish to reject this good fortune; that
it is my duty to accept it; that I shall
get on very well without love, and talk
as if it were a business tran saction. It
is hard to say, No. but l anust, for in
marriage I want to look up, not down.
/ can not make it seem right to take this
offer, and / must let it go, for 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 re faced poverty,
cheerfully teaching music, year after
year, hoping always, complaining never,
and finding herself stronger, happier
woman for the act: A richer woman
also; for. though the husband was lost.
a true friend was gained-since the low
er, with respect added to his love, said
manfully; ssShe isright: God bless her!''
S. is poor, plain, ungifted and ordina-
ry in all things but one-a cheerful,
helpful spirit, and can not rest till it has
proved its sincerity. Few, so placed,
would have lived forty hard, dull years
without becoming either sharp and sour,
or bitter and blue. But S. is as sweet
and sunny as a child: and, to those who
know her, the personiication of content.
The only talent she possesses is that of
loving every helpless, suffering, forlorn,
and outcast creature whom she meets.
Finding her round of home duties too
small for her benevolence, she became
one of the home missionaries, whose re-
ports are never read, whose salaries are
never paid on earth. Pt verify stricken
homes, sick beds, sinful souls and sor-