The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1879-12-18
LADIES COLUMN.
HARoLINE HAROLD, EDITOR.
Courtship.

SouT LS0lP'
Courtship, the ante-room to we'd
ded life, should be more than
mere pastime or matter of play.
The happiness OF the married state
depends upon the wisdom and
truthfulness of courtship. Mar
riage may prove a curse, embitter
two or more lives and disquahfy
them from any real good or lasting
benefits. The marriage bower may
be made of thorns instead of roses.
We think we are safe in saying as
many hopes are blasted under the
marriage bonds, as are blessed. An
improper union of hands is living
misery, an undyiDg death, barred in
with icy letters, a dungeon of mis-
ery, woe and ruin. Oh! how many
are living or rather ekeing out an
existence in such bondage. But
why is this so? A true marriage is
the home of our purest affections,
the pathway that leads to the gate
of heaven, Gods appointment for
the good of the human race, the
fountain from whence flows the
sweetest waters, the pastures that are
ever green and where we arc support
ed and made strong for all the cares
and conflicts of life. The mistakes
of marriage, nine times out of ten,
are the results of dishonest or blind
counting. A young man sees a
young lady, something attracts his
attention, it may be a sweet smile |
or a pretty face, golden curls, flash |
ing eyes, delicate hand, slender |
waist, snowy neck, a little foot, |
graceful carriage, melodiOus |
voice, or perchance the plumage of
the bird is the object of admiration;
he looks again and again, and by |
and by, if not on the instant, he is |
captivated, all too without the
least grain of sense in his judg
ment. An acquaintance and parley |
of nonsense follows. Courtship is |
made up of jokes, jests, Irritation |
and follies too numerous to men
mention. A game of "blind mans
buff is played on both sides-that !
is, both are blinded, and so they |
go it blind" and never get the |
scales from their eyes until the re
aIitIes of married life does it for |
them. They now come to their
senses and find they are no more
adapted to each other than a hawk
and chicken are TO live together. In
courtship, men and women are not
as a general thing true to them
selves. They practice any means
to appear different from what they
really are. They study to deceive.
BY the Establishment of dress, paint,
powder, and the assistance of art,
they try to kill the truth. By |
smiles and honeyed words, the fas-
oinations of pleasure, and scenes of
excitement they continue to keep
up estimates of each others charac-
ter or worth that cannot possibly
hold good in after life, their weak
lesses and human frailties are
smothered down under the mock
show of goodness and sweetr ess,
and the personIfcation of a lofty
principle.
Well, how shall courtship be con
iucted in order to obtain a positive
success in matters of congenial adj ,
lptation? Be honest to yourself and .
lemaand honesty IN others. Let court
ship be court of inquiry N regard
o character, similar tastes and
opinions, habits and feelings. Set F.:
,ut as on a voyage of discovery to
ind if your lady love" would en-
oy such a lite as you would enjoy,
condemn what you would condemn,
approve of what you would ap
prove of, pull as you would wish to
pull, see il there is harmony exist
ng between you in regard to the
of life-real !ife,-let
and judgment be bonnd
with the same cord that binds
your love and hearts into one un
ion. Know what you are goi-g TO
get and what you are going to give
before you pop the question, and
will he no lottery, no curse,
no slavery, but blessed state "clad
in the beauty of a thousand stars"
I Home Mirror.