Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-04-29
NO 1O2.
Gales ano Skettbes.
For the kennebec Jcurna
WHY I WAS NOT MARRIED.

1t was beautiful evening, and the
moon shining brightly. peeping in through
one of the second story windows Of a
grand. historic old house beheld four old
maids. sitting costly around the fire in u
back room. Four old maids together OF
an evening-impossible. All. it was even
so. What a diSconsolate party say you.
Could You have been a listener at the
door. a different exclamation would have
escaped your lips. Cheertulness reigncd
supreme, Wit sparkled. and pleasant sar-
casn seasoned the foolishness of the
lighter conversation. However. you
would choose first to know how they
looked. rather than what was said. |
will begin with the tallest.
Nothing should be said of the ages OF
old maids. for their ages are uncertain,
and form for them an unpleasant theme
for conversation; and if there is any
comfort for the supposed forlorn and for
saken oi all women, does the world
grudge Ia them what costs itself nothingP
Is the world So selfish that il hesitates 10
grant to four lone women the privilege of
having the harmless hallrcination that
they are young; that they still retain the
power of attraction for that SO desirable
commoditv-man?
Ii the world is So ruthlcssly uncharita-
BILE as that, my pen shall not gorge their
vulgar curiosity 10y even limiting the ages
of these lone women. any more definitely
than the bare fact that they We're "old
maids
To so on with the dcscription--the tall
est of these four lone women, was the
wealthy possessor of an intelligent. hap
py face. an abundance of jet black hair
and pleasing manners.
now hear you interrupt me by saying.
''then why was she not married e''
That | will shortly inform you-but the
reason many old maids are old maids is.
because the men with whom they frequent
ly associate. lack the perception 10 appre-
ciate them.
Maid No. >. was slender of fair skin
dark eyes. auburn hair.
No. 3, was dark complies xioned.
happy, sensible face, long lashes pretty.
The fourth had round. moony face.
false auburn hair. short eye-lashes. and
long hands.
These lone women, with the exception
of the dark 'complexioncd, were
teachers. They had chosen to spend the
evening together for they had similar
tastes and occupation, and were fond OF
one another.
This evening was but one of MANY,
passed in one another's society, and at
this time they had gathered at the home
of the dark compexioned lady-Maria
Gould. Furthermore, it was Saturday no
school. and they had been together all the
afternoon.
There was II lull in the conversation.
No one seemed TO know what to'
bsay next. A servant brought in the
lamps quietly and was out again. These
friends were so intimate that no one of
them was surprised when another spoke
of affairs that were very personal. They
were like sisters and oftimes spoke Of
their grievances as well rs their joys.
The fat faced maid. Polly Perkins, sat
gazing into the face of the tall lady, Miss
Della Crosby.
Maria Gould looking up quickly said
Polly Perkins, you have forgotten your
manners. Why are You gazing so rudcly
at Della?
o, said Polly. suddenly brought to her
senses, II was thinking if were man
would marry Della Crosby
Indeed said Maria chow do you
know she would have you?''
| Il doubt il she would said Polly, ..but
l
not wOmcn. The most of them think they
can marry whom fancy dictates. with
out even ever imagining that the fair be-
ings on whom their affections have CEN
tered could for moment tolerate the
slightest idea of saying mo- If asked to
reciprocate the love $50 called.) Of their
sovereign lords.
''Ah," said Della, Il think you mis-
indge the men exceedingly
Il don't" said Maria.
81 do not see how we shall decide the
question said Minnie Gay, the maid OF
long auburn hair, without some one Of
US relates her experience. Della, you
are the oldest. relate to us something Of
your experience, tell us why YOU are not
married.
II do wish YOU would not be 50 hard
hearted a. to twit me Of my age, howev-
cr will relate to YOU one incident Of NV
life which may be profitable TO yon in re-
spect to matrimony, as you all are consid-
erablv more youthful than myself, and
possibly may prevent, by careful fore
sight, the extreme calamity of becoming
very "ancicnt maidens''
I'VE don't want YOU to be sarcastic
towards us. We want you to relate your
experience.
II fear my experience will fail to
interest you, however ! will tell you
enough to appease your inquisitiveness in
measure. Why am ! not married ?
that is the subject is it ?"
when was seventeen, | was teach
er as now, of course attended tcacher's 8
Institutes. At the time Of which, our
family resided in country village.
An Institute was to be held in an adj
joining town about five miles distant Be-
ing an only child. had no brother to con-
yey me hither and father was very much
occupied with his own affairs. but broth
er teacher, a young gentleman who
usually accompanied me home from the
evening meetings and carried me to pic
MICS. kindly offered to take me along with
himself, or rather requested me to 60
with him. was much pleased with this
opportunity to go but was careful to hide
my feelings and gave reluctant Eyes. .
must stop right here to say that girls
make grievous mistake in hiding theiI
j feelings If they are pleased with atten
. tons offered them by gentlemen. Suci
conduct is no feminine mOdesty. it is dc
. colt both r1nkind and v1uOrafofn1