Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-10-12
Tne o,ber side Of the question.

The difficulty of getting married with
tout putting ones foot in it, has become
so general OF late years, and so many I'M
Just and ungenerous things have been
said about the young women of the
times. that it is only fair to give one Of
the latter chance to explain the former
TO as many people as possible Not a
doubt Of it, the men are as much to
blame for the much-berated extrava-
gance of the other sex, and responsible
for the Objectionable things done by the
fashionable girls There is a good deal
of truth in the following defense Of her
sex, which is put forward by girl who
does not pretend to. be fashionable
A great deal is said and written now
a-days OF the reasons why young men
are afraid 10 marry The most frequent
of these is, that the girls of this genera
ton are too extravagant.
Now, / am a girl; and from my stand
point see some things which older and
perhaps wiser heads have failed to notice
Dear brothers and friends, let me tell
you how it seems to me.
That we are extravagant ! admit. But
who makes us so2 Did it never occur to
you that this outlay in dress is to please
the gentlemen? And does i not please
yoa7 Is not the girl who makes fine
show most sought after? 0fcourse there
are exceptions-girls who do not care
most of all for dress, and men who in
their admiration of ladies look at some
thing beyond this. But after all, is il
not the most common remark: "ls she
not stylish p" What a fine appearance
that girl makes And so it pleases their
vanity to be the escort of such attractive
ones.
For myself ! dress rather plainly Per
haps | could better afford to put on this
style than many who assume It, But my
taste does not so lead me; and then, too
knowing the sins which the love of dress
will drive women to, try in an humble
way to set a better example.
Besides, | want my gentlemen friends
to feel that one girl, and, if they will but
see it, hundreds besides, do not care for
dress for themselves. Ambitious parents
desire il, and short-sighted young men
admire il; and so often they appear
frivolous, while really their thoughts arc
far beyond And let me tell you how ]
am tried sometimes. To save the ex.
pense of carriage for the opera / don
my lace bonnet and walking suit Now
my friend sits beside me, and should be
thinking. This is sensible girl
She came to hear the music. | can
afford to bring her several times for what
a carriage would cost for these butterfly
women.
All, no, he does not look so far as that
but. whether he means the comparison
or not, calls my attention to the mos
gayly attired ladies, saying admiringly
How becomingly that lady is dressed,
What an elegant costume Miss -
wears. / did not say to him what | an
now telling You, but felt il all and an
almost resolved the next time he invitei
me-if he does again-to go 70 all TIM
extravaganza.
But SO much in public place doe
not suit my taste; and then | do mo-
wish to be one to Brighten my friends
from that hottest and best OF earthly re
lations, the married life.
One thing more. We often hear young
men say, All that a girl wants is money
II a man has not that he may pass on.
Very true Of some girls, but is not the
reverse as often true7 These SNOWY
girls whose parents spend their all "a
marry them of, are taken; while the true
parents, who wish their daughters to be
chosen for their real worth, and so con
ceal the possession Of wealth, win for
them very poe market.
/ feel this subject keenly myself for ]
have lost a valeed friend Died2
No; that was not SO hard" But he
has gone; and in his last look I think ]
saw q resolve to bury the love which he
dare not speak. A few hints thrown out
convinced me that he felt his business
would not warrant the luxury OF wife.
And so he viii 20 90 in the loneliness Of
his hotel life. while lis heart yearns for
the comfort and joy Of home.
OH III could have told him that he