Connecticut western news., 1880-03-17
ALean Year Rram@aals

ED. NEWS This is leap year. This an- nouncement may not be 8 startling surprise to you, neither may the fact that leap year brings with it significant and weighty priv ileges to the 'frail sex" as we are graciously dubbed by the Thigh and mighty" lords of creation. Yet notwithstanding these two important facts we seldom hear that the2priv- ilege thus granted is grasped with that hearty appreciation that such privilege should in- spire; in fact no precedent has been estab- lished. The franchises granted are contem- plated in the light of burlesque, and the Shameless hussy" who would think of over. stepping the lines of propriety to the extent of acting in earnest upon them would be so- cially ostracised; as if the ancients would in- vent the ridiculous custom of fastening an ex- tra day onto every fourth February, for the simple purpose of affording an opportunity for burlesquel
 Now MT. Editor, knowing your valuable pa- per to be not only impartial, but also philan- thropic, on behalf of the marriageable portion of your lady readers, purpose with your CO., operation, to attempt reform of the usages of this much abused privilege. The co-opera- ton of your other correspondents is also so- licited, for in union is strength. We are prac- tically obliged, by the rules of etiquette, to occupy a rear pew in all social movements, while the entire management is ostensibly placed in our own hands. We are to sit still, fold our hands, and "speak when we're spoken to; come when we're called. If Chawles sees fit to call on us, we must be lat home" and 'sfxed up," no matter if pressing house hold duties demand attention, and if we have to forego the anticipated pleasure of call on 8 neighbor. If he sees fit on Sunday night tc stay until 12, we must sit up and be bright and entertaining even if we can scarcely keeE our eyes open, while he gives us 'tafy," and talks big, occasionally Q putting in a good word for himself, pointing as proof of his de-
 votion, to his willingness to keep such late hours for us All this we are willing to sub
 init to. Chawles is nice, and we rather enjoy his company but then, Chawles doesn't know
 everything, nor is it designed that he should
 neither perhaps is it his fault that he enter
 tains the idea that our mission is simply tt please the "sterner sex''-tO anticipate theil whims and wishes, and that we are unreason able and ungrateful to expect reciprocal treat ment other than they, in their provident wis dom, see fit to bestow. That is the ide, against which we contend. We claim to hav
 some rights which even Chawles is bound t.
 respect. We claim the privilege of tellinl Chawles that we are indisposed, and canno receive company this evening. We claim tn right to ask Chawles to take us riding, or t walk, or to the ball. We claim the right t. ask Chawles to marry us. We claim the righ to place our thumb to our nose with proprie ty, and defy the conventional Mrs. Grundy and her horde of toadies.
 Now there are plenty of marriageable mel
 and women in our town, as we'll as in others 3 living from day to day out of their sphere like one kid glove, useless without it's prope 3 mate.-A little investigation will reveal ! them their destiny. Reckless indifference dc fers the search, and SO they drift along. No,
 the part of the programme assigned to yor
 Mr. Editor, in this grand reform, is to shov
 up these faltering ones to the gaze of eac
 other. Give the names and description (
 the gentlemen of our town, that the virtue c
 the leap year prerogative may be tested, an
 we bespeak such matrimonial harvest as hs
 never been surpassed; for the America t. woman in earnest, and with purpose
 view, will muster up courage to approach u
 popping point, while the gent is figurin
 on the chances of refusal. What say-tf ,e other correspondents? "EvANGELINE."
 Canaan, March l3, 1880.