The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1873-03-28
BEFORE JfARRIAGE.
BY MEDDLEsoME MATTE.

BY MEDDLESONE MATTE.
The sunny side of ones life ONLY is
exposed to the lover. During court
ship, pleasant smiles. hOneved words.
soft and sweet intonations of voice.
amazing amiability, seem to rise tothe
surface Of ores sdisposition the moment
one comes into the presence of the Oh
ject of ones affection.
For the lover, the most becoming
dress is dOnned, the spotless collar IS
adjusted with incest care. the ribbons
are selected with an eve to the utmost
becOmingness, the hair combrd in a
style that will best enchance the beau
ty of the wcarer. The mirror is con-
suited again and again, to make sure
that nothing is left off that might add
to the charms of the gaZer. 4 curl is
placed here, a rosebud or dainty riE-
bon is tucked carelesslv into the shining
braids; even the eyebrows are scan
ned to see that each particular hair is
smoOthcd in the right direction; the
eyelashes are oiled or waXed into place.
and | have known fastidious persons
to carry the thing so far as to timCe
the lips and checks with beet juice,
(not carmine, of course), and just rub
A mere sprinkling of rice powder, (not
paint), over the face tO-well-to re-
move the supcrfuous oiliness of the
complexion, SO that they might pre-
sent a cleanly appearance of face that
soap and water could not produce
Remember, these prodigious efforts to
enhance their beauty, were put forth
before the matrimonial knot had been
tied.
All the choicest and most pleasing
expressions are reserved for counting
night, " that the lover may think that
he is about to secure silver Lutte
voiced lady-love, who will while away
his years of welded life with the
sweetest Of all music-that of the hu-
man voice His ideas are her ideas
his likes and dislikcs are studied with
scTupulOus care, and however foreign
to her nature, are acquiesced in with
a fiattering heartiness that walls from
the lovers eyes all dissimulation.
If mother happens to ask little
assistance or makes inquiries regard
ing household matters she is sure to
receive a reply in her daughters bland
est and most amiable tones and assist
ancc is rendered with cheerful aIacri-
ty. 1t is brother dear or SISTER
darling" will YOU please close the
door," or "be so kind. please, as to
bring me Lyell's Geology or Oar
win on Expression if the lover hep
pens to he of a scientific turn of mind
If he admires industry and prudence,
she takes good care to exhibit the re-
suit of her handiwork, and her careful
ness in buying.
And he, too, playsa part that seldom
extends beyond courtship. Her tastes
are consulted, her advice asked, her
little whims gratifed, with q grace
and cheerfulness that is irresistiblv
fascinating; tokens oflove and esteem.
i'll form of beautiful presents, are show
cred upon her; boquets of rare selec-
ton are sent her; she is escorted to
operas, theatres, lectures, rides, walks,
etc. Twenty times = day, if neeess-
arv, her handkerchief is picked up
and handed to her with the grace of
an Apollo. She is addressed by =
hrrn-I.o-l i>st --.---.~y. II she - IOnd OF
riding, he likes it too; if boating is
her pleasure, nothing suits him better,
if walking delights her, he aspircs to
Out-walk Weston in pedestrianism.
and so it gOes,-one grand deception
Is it any wonder that lovers think
they are about to wed angels, or he
lieve that prospective homes will lie
earthly heavens?