Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-02-09
To Marry OF not 70 Marry.

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~ tlrns % thoughts oi I9Fe' anlul 'Ae l'l .'
January young women iancies rs re'l uieiS
turn O. thoughts oi mair'mlny- ~ ieis' ',t'a'
is thc inference rom tEe tF''l lla- H-,A
.i-t mo-" nigutiy u t1e a'liI9' e-l-'i"ily '-'
it-llond1le a't'rs- neither J.. l7 ID Niae'
sute oi ms many wedding sAyeue' '- 'ss'oie
before iastl'n detree7 TEN 'i'Iy uei.A u
all s-yety IN tAe .leN-ei'tn anu -''--' ol LEM
we Do NOT Know 1nt tiI' Is a>s.ired'y tle iA'
v'rel 'ii-e "Aen tAe tempe oi II! men en-
ii7 doors 10 women VINO can enie' lAein .n tAe
approved sr's gram anu i''.ul I'o.' vi ~ u
rage- in muslin, "e near 9i hn- lew in i-c'
Wt near oi uut r." a' any ti.Ae. ] 'un- iie'
o- small salaries ana Pennies young women
n."-t-ilys Aui every m'n.h TOD emmy o
cross the tareshoil oi that mouse IN "hieu
poverty is so ap- 70 int out tAe L'e ON me
hearth and love So uncertain about hindiins
it again. They are ezhortei by practieai pee
PIE oi the past generation ID feuemoer now
their grauli'thers -lHrIieo' "llh only very
likely. the provision OF an AK 10 cut Gown tne
trees IN their c.eallns' ana the 'eni-h'ns oi
lew pots aud pans wooden cnairs ana q
feather bed. Inose were the days they tel.
US, when sturdy men were hard-hstcl and
honest, when their sturdy wives Wasacd ANA
knew the ways OF the caurn instead OF the
piano, when dozens oi harly chi-lren gre"
mp within their gates into habits OF irugaIl'y
and honor. The young man with small sal
aly dawdllnE no the opera, ana the pennies
Young woman who spends her time IN max
ing bats for herself anu singing an. non
giungs' are bldden TO - and forthwith do
Likewise. The whole OF TINS moneyies7 ''e'tlet-
ic. non marrying generation, are eXhorted 10
awake. ari-e, OF be forever fallen. u be-
take themselves to hard work and rearing
children without delay.
Now all this advice sounds eminently strong
and sensible; but Is It practicaoiet Ia Two
generations not only the tastes and habits
but the very nature OF Americln men has al
tered, under the influence OF city lie III de-
gree which, whether Tor better or Worse,Is ac-
tual and absolute Nine out OF ten OF these
educated poor young men would prefer death
at once to the lie ot p'oueer' drudgcry Tor
the bare necessities oil ioJd ana clothes exile
from the world OF books, music and art; the
perpetual sight OF shabby oyer-worked wife
whom they could not reiieve.and shabby chill
dren to whom they could give neither cul-
ture nor refinement. The mere possession Of
wife and children, instead OF being a reward
would add to the chagrin and discomfort,
which would grow more bitter with the intcn-
sity OF their love. How many OF the delicate,
pretty girls who hll our streets, too, are fit TO
DO their grandmother stout OF work at
washtub, ,churn or broom Weak backs and
dyspeptlc stomachs are facts not 10 be sneer-
cd OF scolded away. The young people in town
realize the situation; they are not willing to
remain single, so they shrewdly look out for
rich partners. They are anxious to put love
into their lives, If possIblc, but regard it as a
necessity to put money in their purse at the
same time. Where Is the remedy? Marriag-
es grow to be more matter OF stocks, iurni-
ture and dress. with every generation. The
children born of much luxury and little love
Cif born at ally become more feeble in mind
and body and shorter lived, until foreigners
who Judge us from our cities may well ques-
ton whether Americans IN the next century
will inherit America. The problem is iust this
How can young man and woman, with the
necessities Of educated and refined people and
not strong health, afford to marry and bring
up children on small income
The answer Is here: First by discovering
that the necessities OF education and refin-
ment do not depend On money for their graft
fication. Turkey carpets, silk dresses or coats
bought On Broadway have nothing to do
with the height OF their owner : lives. nor do
they contribute one whit 70 their culture or
good breeding. W hat willcontribnte to them
and give high caste to their own lives and
those OF their children, are some high motive