Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-16
EXPENSES OF MATRIoIONY
Il" OLD bachelor Explains Why He Re.
mains Single.

a" Old Bachelor Erpl0ins Whu He Re-
mains Single.
10 the Editor of the Globe.
met recently an old friend, genial. kind
hearted old bachelor Of some fifty summers,
whose acquaintance I have enjoyed for more
than quarter of a century, during which time
have learned to love him for his many ster-
ling qualities Of head and of heart. In early
manhood his genial disposition and his general
Intelligence, made him the life and soul of 3
large circle of acquaintances-no party, picnic
or excursion was complete without him.
Remembering his early fondness for society.
1 ventured to ask him why he had RENAME d
single when within the circle of his acuuaint-
ance there were SO many charming ladies' so
many of whom seemed to be fattered by his
attentions. His reply substantially as toll
lows and is commentary upon the present ex-
travagant style of living:
when was young made up my mind to
unite my fortunes with some one of nv
many female acquaintance, provided
suitable one could be found
who was willing to take me for better or for
worse. L noticed that the fair damsels of that
day could walk down town three or four times
week. They could walk to church and visit
their friends without the use of a carriage, but
invariably when 1 asked the privilege of accom-
panyln them to a party or to some place of
amusement. l had to hire close carriage to
keep the cold winds from their delicate cheeks.
Two or three pairs of white kid gloves had to
be purchased every week, and on all proper &C.
caslons was forced to buy flowers regardless
OF the seasons or the cost of such Injuries.
MY means were limited, and [ found that I
could not incur such expenditures without be-
coming hope]essly involved financially, and
finally resolved to call halt in such extraya-
gance or assume the role Of dead beat" by
owing every one and paying no one. The re-
suit OF my deliberations was to withdraw from
the glddy whirl of society, and from that time
to the present have had to forego the plea
sures incident to ASSOCIATION with the fair sex
The truth is that ladies dress SO extravaganza
~ now that few men can afford to marry. The
most expensive silks must be worn, and those
who can get the greatest number of yards into
garment, and have the largest train, are the
most fashionable women. Ladies take posi-
lions in society by the length of their trails.
SUCH extravagant nonsense keeps young men
from entering the matrimonial state, and it is
this great fOndness and the lavish expenditure
OF money in other tOmfooleries that accounts
Tor so many marriagable ladies' now pining for
husbands. have seen well-to-do young men,
industrious and economical, wrecked by mat
ing with young girls who had no idea of the
realities of life, beyond the toilet table and
the wardrobe. Their incomes failed to clothe
their wives as they wished, and financial fail
ure was the legitimate consequence.
You can now see why it is that I am
an old bachelor, and I can assure you
tnat my lonllness is not of
my choice. l am now advanced in years, and
IN few more years shall go down to nv rest
with the reflection that woman's extravaganza
interposed to prevent me from being one Of the
happlest. or one of the most miserable of men. -
Now this short story of one old bachelor, told
me in confidence, has its parallel in the history
OF hundreds of men to-day. Extravagant no
TONS have prevented the union of loving hearts,
and made more crusty old bachelors and sour
old maids, than all other causes put together.
Mrs. J. T. S.