The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1880-01-17
A West Virginia Girl Wants to Go
West.

a bright, sparkling letter from lady
of Howard, Marshall county, w.
Va, who desires to enter into cor
respondence with some gentleman in
Montana and exchange photographs,
etc, with view to matrimony. The
lady is evidently a little romantic, hut
practical and sensible withal, and
judging from the letter in our pos
session, would make some old bach
elor charming companion. After
all, marriage is lottery, and we
cannot see why sensible cores
pondcnce with view to business,
should not eaable a man to select as
wisely as an accidental acquaintance,
renewed from time to time at parties,
dances, or by occasional calls, where
both the lady and gentleman usually
attempt to appear at the very best
advantage, concealing as far rs pos
sible all defects of person or charac-
ter. We are inclined to think that
the coming generation will improve
upon our present methods Of court
ship, and that the press is destined
to become an important factor in the
matrimonial arrangements of the
near future. Many young man,
well adapted for domestic happiness,
has lived and died bachelor
because in early life too diffident to
aspire to the hand of some fair one
of his choice whom he might have
won had he only dared to WOO. In
fact, as rule, the professional gal
liant and ladies man is most lacking
in the sterling qualities of manhood
that inspire respect and affection
upon mature acquaintance. Merit
is always modest, and too often hest
tates and loses, while the self-con-
ceited flop and upstart will venture
and win. Modest men, too, gener-
ally appear to disadvantage in the
presence of ladies. Their diflidence
gives them gawky manner which
savors of greenness. They cannot
show off and shine like their pre-
sumptuous rivals, and young ladies
too often mistake the glitter Of brass
for that Of gold. They forget that
the rarer and more costly metal Is
seen upon the surface, but is usually
concealed from view and only found
after diligent search. The result is
that it has become proverbial that
the best men too often get the
poorest wives and vice versa. If
matrimony was treated more as a
business transaction, and men want
ing wives or women husbands, would
advertise their wants, as in other
cases Of business, stating the exact
facts as to habits and disposition in
a straightforward, honorable way, we
think that often congenial persons
might he brought together, who as
society is constituted will never find
the mate for whom they blindly seek.
Before, however, this advancement
will be reached some safeguards
must be thrown about the system Of
advertising. But our purpose was
simply to publish extracts from
THE LETTER.
The lady says:
"From my childhood l have had
an unquenchable desire to go west.--
and from the best historical informa-
ton ! can obtain, Montana is the
ideal of my imagination.
"You will do homeless lady a
great favor ifyou will secure through
your influence the correspondence Of
true, honest, noble, reliable gentle
man. If required, ] can give any
reference desired in regard to my
honor, honesty, virtue, truthfulness;
also ability in cooking, sewing, and
general work. Am considered a
good clerk, ETC., etc. y = =
/ have decided to change my single
life for married one. have never
yet INDUCED in matrimonial thoughts
until quite recently-am under no
obligations to any man, and am per-
fectly free to 60 to new country.
/ will give you full description Of
myself: l am five feet two and q
half inches high, complexion very
fair, hair dark auburn, eyes gray or
hazel. aged 30 years, but look as
though was only 20-would pass
for Is, and it is difficult to convince
persons not acquainted with me that
l am over 20. Am slender built, said
to be pretty, and am very much adj
mired, but fattery does not captivate
me.
The lady is evidently in earnest,
an parties desiring further informa-
ton are referred to Postmaster
Crounse.
Railroad Collision.
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