New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-27
OLD MR. CRAIG ADVERTISES.

When an old gentleman like David Craig,
of Americas. Ky. aged LXXXVI years. not
only desires TO DO married, but actually an'ef-
tses for an old lady Of about his own age, we
arc at a loss to decide whether to him sho'od
be awarded the palm Of courage or the credlt
of good sense. lie is q fool to marry at Ills
time OF life at ALL IIe is wise in not marrying
a y0ung chit. When the learned John Daurat
in extreme age espOused girl who, according
TO MGnage, was only nineteen, the old huInor-
lat made q Joke of the matter by saying that
"beiue TO die by o sword, it is better to perish
"bv bright than rusty one" The Romans
ot one time had a law which prohibited man
and woman from marrying. he over so years
old. and she over 80; but after trial 1t was
repealed. Perhaps the experience or TIC wor,o
shows that very old man ia no more likely
to make foolish marriage than very young
one. Ills peTiloua business at any rate, ana
therefore we are not surprised that an OLD
French Calyinist should print book which
advises nobody to get married without long
previous prayer for light and guidance. But
let lis return 10 our David
The octogenarian Craig informs us that he
d" is "a spry az girl just sixteen years ODD"
that "therc il life about him. that she can
ride as gay horse as any young man "
that no /" does not uae o cane" and that he
desires no old lady "wbo is not as gay and
"spry as he is" We must admit that we do not
exactly relish this untimely fIiskincss Anac-
reOn might not have been chOlied by the grape
stone if no had not been 80 anxious to prove
by his voracity that no still possessed the APP
petite OF youth aud We always thought that the
I..f Sip nm Eal
courage was well enough deserved. MIR. Craig.
who initiated not without glory Ia the war of
1872, receives pension from the United
States; and as one OF the sslaried fathers OF
the Republic We think that he should maintain
an exemplary gravity. In fact, we deem him
q little inconsistent; for in one place he tells
us that he deserves q premium for being so
very old, while in another be insists that he is
as young IA anybody. In the present state Of
the treasury il seems hardly patriotic for
man so extremely and a. we may say prefer
naturally able-bodied, to depend upon it for
support. at eighty-six it Is quite possible to
be indecently vigorous. There must be q touch
of feebleness in tho longevity which secures
our yeneratiOn. We cannot imagine the her
NIT of tho poets riding fast horses, dancing
breakdowns, and doing muscular wonders with
his legs and arms. The graybeard should creep
and not skip.
Should Mr.. Craig be fortunate enough to
find Mrs. David of eighty six, it is no great
presumption to predict that he will be saved
from "pale jealousy" and the "heart sick
" thonghts" OF wnicn 1t is prolific. Even if
anility had the mind to CAD about, it has not
the power; and David may be sure that the
registering galants of Americas, KY, will
not seek his lady in the bower to which her
old bones will confne her, since we may take
it for granted that the whole male population
of that hamlet Mt OF the ancient sort. 1t
is only on tho canvas Of Balthasar Denner
that wrinkles and rheum are esteemed costly.
But enough OF orr random speculation. 1t
will be time enough to continue it when VIC
hear that Mr. David Craig's advertisement has
been answered, and that the two Eighty Skies
have been made One Hundred and Seventy
'run