New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-08
THE GIRLS.
An Old Lady's Advice.

An Old Lady's Advice.
Now, John, lis ten to me, for am Older
than you are, or couldn't be your mother
Never do you marry young WON An, John
| before you have cUntrlved to happen at the
house at least four times before breakfast
You should know how late she lies in bed in
the morning. You should take care to sur
| prise her, so that you can see her in her
| morning dress, and observe her occupation
when she is not expecting you. If possible
you should be where you could plainly hear
the morning conversation between her and
her mother. Ii she is ill-natured and snap
pish to her mother, so che will be to you,
| depend upon Warerly.
! Profound, truly; particularly the declara-
ton that the old lady is older than her son,
or she couldn't be his mother. Good advice
it may be; but, girls, how are you to become
enlightened concerning John, or are you to
take it for granted that he is all right :
Perhaps you consider it matter of minor
Importance that you should know about
hiin beforehand. Seeing him three or four
times before breakfast will not help you,
should you attempt to investigate. How
can you find out his disposition and habitsf
| How are you to know whether he intends
| to support you, or whether he has planned
| for you to gain livelihood for both? Per-
| haps he can almost take care Of himself,
| and you may help little.
1t is generally understood that each takes
| the other for better or worse; surely neither
should look for or expect perfection. Even
were it possible to obtain, who. in their
sober senses, on mature consideration,
would for q moment wish it7 Who could
abide a perpetual reproach who would not
willingly-nay, gladly-see such treasure
take to itself wings and fly away-to
Heavens
Now, so long as Susan can not follow
John to his haunts, in order to gain infor-
nation in regard to his habits, mode of life
and various other little items; can not tell
whether the gallant and atfectionate lover
will wear the bonds matrimonial right roy
ally; does not know whether the fret and
worry of every day life will develop nobler
traits and loftier aims, or if, on the con-
counted gold, why should Johns mamma
be 30 anxious for him to go early in the
morning in order to play the spy on Susan's
movementsf Why should he not take his
chances as we'll as she?
Now, girls. my advice is: Should any
such person show himself, on any such err
rand, at your kitchen door, at the break of
day, and find you the very quintessence of
neatness, your face covered with smiles,
and hands with biscuit dough, all things
favorable, and should he, his visage aglow
with satisfaction, signify that "Barkis is
willin',"-Or. in other words, ask you to
marry him-turn yOnr back to him at once
with decided no. He will make a selfish,
incident, parsimonious husband, who will,
in all probability, be asking, three months
after You are married, if not sooner, What
in the world has become of that pound of
sugar l brought home month and half
agoW or, "What did you do with that quar-
ter of dollar gave you last week 2"
He will oversee the kitchen work, have
his fingers in every pie, and weary you with
his everlasting talk of wastefulness and
extravagance. In fact, such men as John
make the very worst kind OF husbands;
they take to meanness naturally.
Many OF both sexes are deceived, it is
true; nor can it, taking human nature into
account, be otherwise. The result u.s. some
go through life with bowed heads, and |
hearts full of bitterness; while others, if |
possible, profit by the divorce laws; aud |
others still elope forthwith, la free love. |
and thus it will be SO long rs the world |
stands. A sorry state of affairs, admit; |
but who is to be censured9
The old serpent, or Eve7 Not Adam, of
course, because Tho woman gave unto
me, and l did eat"
Answer the question as you may, the facts
are the same; and, if either sex is to be de-
ceived, disappointed and dupsd, prefer it
should be the rougher one. They easily
throw it of; they go out into the air and
sunlight (and Gods blessed sunlight causes
many burden to be more lightly borne);
they mingle with their fellows; business
matters divert their attention, and they are
usually not 80 crushed (here are exceptions.
t Is true, that they can not enjoy their
cigar. the club-r9om or saloon, or, it is just
possible, the society of some interesting
ady friend, to whom they look unutterable
,hings, or at least those not lawful to be ut
ara ~ nIa ha OF III |
hey think of "what might have been"
But, girls, if you marry one who proves
Indifferent to you, whose habits are bad
md whose soul is small, and you find YOUR
elves neglected and uncared for, what can |
,ou dot Why wait upon John, care for the
hildren, and go through a mOnOtOnOus rOu-
inc of duties with heart full of pain and
very nerve unstrung land how these little |
lal:y duties sting and irritate when the soul
) crying out for rest), when one would |
ain bury her face in her hands, and think,
nd weep until at least comparative quiet
once; until she can look upward with the
We of faith, and feel that "Jesus knows it
H."
Do not be in haste to marry, nor fancy it
, the main road to happiness. There are |
ut too many pitfalls in the way, that are i
OF discovered until it is too late to retrace {
De's steps.
There are men with noble souls who live I
ure, unselfish lives, and who will shield {
heir loved ones in their strong arms, and
old Them in the innermost recesses of
heir hearts; to disdain not to show their
ppreclatlon of little kindnesses, and in {
those presence there is no restraint. 1
Little golden heads are pressed to the {
heck OF such a man; tiny, dimpled hands {
froke his hair; even baby crows welcome.
he wife does not look askance to see if I
usband is in good humor; too we'll she
nows his untiring love. The days golden '
ours are when husband and father has q
,me. q
Upon such men. be they peer or peasant.
ature has set her seal of royalty; but such G
one never in his life played the part of !
" or eavesdrCp per.
Beware, girls, of these Johns. and never q
AIRY for home. Be independents; choose e
'me vocation; be workers--self support t
e. Pay no attention to all this talk | d
oout being good housekeepers, nor be '
raid to say that you do not under n
and it, if such is the case. Walk in u
70 plain path of duty, if it be directly a
rough the valley of humiliation; do not O
rink; light will come by and by-a v
laDge for the better; or. mayhap, the n
ork considered a burden may anon prove il
source of delight. u
II homework be the duty nearest to Won. v
1t by all means: but, il you are permit I
d choice, and talents and inclin alton 81
al you into an entirely different path, do .
It hesitate, nor bury your gifts in q nap Il
n. in order to fit yourselves for the posi- tt
contingency OF being elected house wives o.
John. Make the most of yourselves; do a.
yht in the sight of God; be fully persuaded e.
your own minds; and each Of you is a
wer in yourself.
GU are now bearing many self-imposed
lrdens, which help to defeat your nlans r.
r usefulness. Remove from your heads
me of the numberless superHuities that | h.