The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-08-13
suoULD WOMEN PROPOSE.
A QUESTION THE AGES HAVE NOT SET
TIED.

doctor gave us his love history IN a
letter which we were unable to treat
with much respect. In fact IL
showed him to be rather concerted
and q self conscious fellow who was
anxious to let the world know what
n prize lie wonld be to some woman
rs husband. His letter called out
reply from sentimental maiden
who substantially offered herself TO
him as wife, saying that she had
also failed to find anyone on whom
she could set her affections. she
was severe in her structures on the
young men of the present day. per-
haps because of their neglect OF her
charms, but evidently wished the
"Sun'' to assist her in getting a hus-
band, business we refused to un-
dcrtake. Maidens who feel the need
of advertising for husbands are not
apt to be the best specimens of their
sex. We therefore replied to her
letter by saying that the young men
of any past day, but unless they are
very foolish they do not take for
wives for young women who offer
themselves to them.
This remark has stirred up seve-
raj correspondents TO write to US az
frming q woman's right to make a
proposal of marriage. 1t is interes-
ting to observe, however, that all
these letters come from men; that no
women step forward to claim the
privilege of Offering herself, though
that many women do exercise that
privilege, if not by speaking out di-
rectly, at least by giving strong hints
of their matrimonial desires, there
is plenty of proof.
A maiden may not be so likely as
widow to give hesitating man as
sistance in reaching the point of ma
king proposal, but probably few
girls are altogether surprised when
the momentous question is asked
them, and some Of them who turn
out to be most exemplary wives take
much pains to have the way to it.
Even if their own modesty and coy
ness prevent their making the over
lures, their mothers may be less shy
about the matter, and see to it that
the young men are given opportunl'
ties to announce their intentions,
and are encouraged or cajoled into
doing it.
We all have read Of ambitious
mammas who made love to eligible
bachelors on behalf of their daugh'
tiers, using the cleverest strategy to
catch them, and sometimes resort
ing to devices which were really rep
rehensible to accomplish their de
signs; but it is rare thing for
maiden herself to squarely court
man and directly offer herself to him
The woman, as the philosophers say
may be the first. to fall in love, Blu
she will only let the secret of her of
lection be extorted from her whel
the man acknowledges that his owl
heart is captive, and asks her to con
fess the love she has cherished, bu
perhaps has sought assiduously t.
hide from him. Good girls are very
chary about making the first advan
ces in any such way as to let mel
know what they are about, and thei
instinct direct them rightly in so do
ing. They wish to be wooed an
won, and refuse to surrender ct th
first summons.
Therefore it is that so many lover
who write to US are in torturin
doubt as to whether they have game
the affections they would so great
prize. They can only get relief b
asking the great question, though
oil the time their sweethearts ma
be anxious to give it an affirmatiy
answer.
This is the way with women, m
hence we warned and again wal
young men, as a rule, against wome
who offer themselves to- them. The
lack feminine delicacy, and do vi
lonce to their natures by makil
such proposal; and in saying til
we feel sure very few women reade
of the Sun will disagree with US.
woman has an undoubted right
offer herself to q man, but the S
claims the privilege of being court'
of granting its affections instead
proffering them, and we allow t
claim, as men have done from t
days of Eve up, and will always ce
tinue to do.-[N. Y. Sun.