Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-01

lParls Letter IN Home Journal
Without daily toll the poor man of France
anticipates no bread. The tomorrow of the
young man appears far too much like his yester-
Gay Tor MIN TO anticipate any very warm smile
Wretched or even Responding. Indeed he be-
heves in his own hands and sinews but he does
not perceive how he can make home for Nan
nette, nor can he imagine how Nannette WILL be
able to acquire the dot, which, according to her
station, she must possess to enable them to be
married. Nannette'S father, having forgotten his
own tender days and become 1nSenSible to the
sentiments OF his children through years and
years OF amending toll, TO say nothing of the
heart-rendering effect OF possessing little lump
OF money hidden away in one OF his antique
stocklngS, and the fierce desire of seeing this
attractive sum enlarged, insists upon receiving
the wages of his daughters youthful toiling.
The law, OF course, confirms his right to be
INDUCED in his lOngingS. Even If he be kind
and generous father, he cannot afford to coz
tribute to his child's own accumulated earnings
ana complete her dot from his little hoard, nor
would she permit this sacrifice, with a helpless
age before him If he lives long and foSSe COM
mune to complete his funeral.
The same SeliShneSS or helplesSnesS Is per-
petual in Robins family. Nobody Is able to as
sist him in establishing a legally formulated
house. He loves Nannette deyotedly and I'M
selflshiy, and Nannette loves Robin. II they
could see any possibility that the two could
hoard a sufficient sum OF money within five or
ten years by which they could place the dot
property and pay for the marriage license, also
the lees for the legal ceremony, and for the
WomanS Soul-the inevitable church benedc-
dons-they might be faithful to each other and
walt until their youth was fully over before at
tempting Ten g to establishing themselves together;
but they cannot discover the least hope of ac-
quiring so much money for many and many a
year to come, II ever.
And then not frequently la pere and la mere,
With profound respect for the conduct Of their
own marital formalitieS, insist that their chill
dren Shall follow the same sacred antecedents
or go out from the poor little homestead un-
blessed and in social Outlawry.
m n F~oY1 40 vhO n opa
been faithful to their respected antecedentS are
as arrogantly proud Of that which they consider
their responsibility as Gambetta possibly could
be OF his election to the presidency of his coun-
try. Indeed, the lower classes make their as
sumptions OF superiority, when they suspect
themselves of possessing any, far more unplea-
sanity pompOus and severe than persons OF bet
ter birth and breeding could learn to do.
The lower levels OF society too often exhibit
evidences OF determination to maintain what
ever governing powers have been left to them,
the parent chooses he can withhold his consent
TO marriage until the child Is 25 years of age.
Even Eve lar AFTER marriage that has taken place be-
lore the nrst quarter of century OF the life OF
ms offspring, the parent may declare the mar
rage 10 DE void within two years after the cere-
mo me provided there is no proof in existence OF
MS having given his consent.
II cahnot De TOO agreeable for son or daugh-
yer 10 feel compelled to acq lire and preserve the
e esn That parent has freely bestowed
null permission for him TO be married
More than likely knowledge of more agreea-
BILE American customs has had not little to do
with establishing formidable rebellion to the
French marriage laws. The burdensome cost of
adjusting wedding ring properly, and the i'm
possibility OF escaping from this fetter when it
has become calling or when 1t is dshonorable,
TO say nothing Of the almost interminable eti-
quette which Is demanded by both the French
social and legal code before a new family tie
can be established has become exceedingly dis
tasteful to the Frenchman In all ranks Of life
Especially is 1t unjust to the working classes,
who have no leisure for anything that Is slow or
formal The poor mans usual style is pell nell.
and 1t is dtstaSteful for him ever to be wed In
any other fashion His bridal trip is prome-
made up and down the streets arm and arm with
hiS-brsde-he In his eSrgarments and she in her
wedding attire, white veil included.