Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1870-05-13


faced reply of Lane, for am not wit
less enough to bare my neck to the hal
ter of matrimony, if the act is to bint
me to perpetual serfdom."
& What do you mean ?"
Simply, that the manner in which
MIR West has raised his daughters un,
fits them for the position of wives ol
young men in my condition. They have
the education, the tastes and the accom-
plishments we desire and must have
but their habits and expectations are IA
tai dowries for any poor young man to
accept. They have no fortune to bring
their husbands, and yet must be support
ed in comparative elegance. The idea
of useful employment does not seem. to
have entered their minds. Work, in
their view, involves something of degre-
dation. All, well l must dismiss a
fond illusion, that was sweet whileit last
ed. | shall go no further in this unsafe
direction. Some other men, bolder or
less inclined to count the cost, must win
consent from a heart it would be life
long happiness to call my own"
Nonsense, George" " replied his friend,
"If the young lady really loves you,
she will adapt herself to your circum-
/
stances. Nellie is a charming girl. Press
your suit, and after gaining her consent,
talk over life's sober realities with her.
She has sense and right feeling, and will
readily comprehend how much Of hap
piness is involved in your prudential
ideas. A woman who loves man we'll
enough to marry him, will cheerfully ac
commodate herself to his circumstances" /"
Accommodate !" exclaimed the
young man, curling his lips. II don't
like the word. 1t hurts my pride"
Pride is never a good counsellor,
friend George"
MY manhood, then. 1t hurts my
manhood. A young woman without a
dollar in the world, accommodate her.
self to the circumstances OF a young man
whose income Is twelve hundred year
You can't reconcile me to the case under
that plea. My pride, manliness, self
love, or selfesteem- you will-revolts
against the humiliation. No, no-Geo.
Lane has independence as we'll as pru-
dence, and thinks their counsels worth
needing"
"While l think" answered the friend,
"that George Lane is little too high
strung for the case under consideration,
| know Nellie very well, and think her
sensible girl. True, the way her par
ents have conducted her home education
is not favorable to just views in life.
But love is clear-sighted and strong
hearted. Take her out of her present
false relation to society, and she will
make you, am sure, good wife in ev-
cry respect"
"No, sir,' was firmly answered. +" Ev-
en- as I talk with you, and listen to what
you say, grow more resolute in purpose
to recede from dangerous position. If
Nellie was alone in the world, | might
act differently. But look at the case as
it stands and see what risks are involved.
There are two elder sisters, both mar
ried !; and their husbands noses, to use
homely phrase, are we'll down upon
the grindstone and likely to remain
there. Already both have gone through
the ordeal of fall in business-and no
wonder"
"Not being able as clerks to maintain
their domestic establishments, they were
foolish enough to set up in imitation Of
other people as silly as themselves f; they
must have stores of their own, from the
income of which they drew with such
unscrupulous hands, that more than all
the profits were consumed in costly liv-
ing"
"Somehow or other, in their break
down they have managed to keep their
fine furniture and houses, and still live
before the world in what to me is shame
les extravaganza. Both are clerks
again; but how they manage to keep up
appearances as they do passes my COM
prehensions. / have met their wives
few times at Mr.. Vests and they hold
their heads as high as queens. / am no
body in their estimation! Why, the Jew
elry, lace and other snowy things they
faunt in other peoples eyes so shame
lessly-seeing thatsomebody besides their
husbands have paid for them-cost more
than third of my years salary"
"But you have nothing to do with
those ladies" interposed his friend.
"True, and / don't mean to have any
thing to do with them. But the case
would have another bearing were l a
brother-in-law. would have their bad
influence operating on my wife. She
must have as costly Quitting as they.
She must have as fine house to live in,
and as fine furniture to display to her
friends. and nv nose must come down