Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-10-21
WHOLE NO. 1888.
Old Maids.

maids" Why such q stigma should
rest upon unmarried women who are
over twenty-five years of age, I have
never been able to determine. Why ia
woman who chooses to remain in q
state of single blessedness," and
blessedness it often is beside the lot
which would have been hers, had she
married some queudan suitor, consid.
cred fair game for all the gibes, and
shafts ct contempt, which empty.psted
people can hurl upon herP Many old
maids are helpful, loveable and sweet
tempered, and fill their allotted niche
as acceptably as do their married sisters.
Many who are married would better
have served mankind, God. and them.
selves. had they remained single, and
there may be cases where some spinster
might have been happier and done
more good, had she married; but Why
should one class be blamed more than
the other?
Is 1t not far more honorable to be
single than to marry for home, money,
position, or anything except the most
unbounded love? Our young ladies'
have erroneous ideas upon this subject.
They feel almost disgraced. If they
have arrived at mature age, and are
not yet able to write Mrs. before their
names. Their whole ambition is to get
husband, by hook or by crook, but
get him somehow they must. Now,
girl thinks she must marry. a. that il
the only way by which she can provide
herself with home, and necessary
comforts. even though the one who
offers should not happen to be tho one
she most desires to call husband. But
this man has proposed. the other never
may. Now is her chance, and she ac-
cepts it as her fate. think the largely
increased facilities for more equal ad-
vantages in education and business,
will do much to smeliorate this feeling
in the next generation. When woman,
as we'll as man, has chance to earn Q
living at q congenial occupation, and
receives equal compensation for equal
labor, there will be fewer girls who will
marry for a home, and. as Q censs.
quence, fewer discouraged. unhappy
wives and mothers, fewer disorderly,
uninviting homes. When women csn
as coolly look over the circle Of their
masculine acquaintsnces, and ~ criti.
cally discuss their habits, characters,
and the likelihood Of their proving
desirable life-partners. a. the men now
do. much of this wrong will right
itself.
Marriage is almost always help to
q man. The advantages are greater for
him than for woman. for unless the
union be one of sentiment, thought.
feeling and heart, and in all respects
the most felicitous. it is her undoing.
Meanwhile, as the millennium il not
here. nor likely to come for some time,
I wish to give few words OF consol..
tion and advice to those girls who,
though ont of their teens, are not yet
married. Get the best education posi-
BILE, help about domestic affairs, and
enter upon some trade or profession fer
which you have taste, and master il.
Skilled labor is always we'll paid.
Don't spend your time repining because
you cannot see the coming man. II
you never see him, you can live useful.
happy lives. You think if you had y
husband You would have strong arm
On which to lean. q shurer OF trouble
aud sorrow. Alasl many . slender
woman has had not only to stand alone,
but also serve as prop for children and
husband, and very few wives find in
their husbands all the sympathy and
companionship they desire.
If you are good for anything you will
not be hurt by remaining single, nsi.
ther will you be elevated by becoming
"John's wife," "A good, true woman
counts one in the world, no matter
whether she is married or single. And
though you should not entertain too
gloomy views of married life, for the
family is evidently God ordained in
stitution, do not look upon marriage -
q means Of elevation, or - . sphere
where you can do more good than ~
q single sister.
Do not be deceived; the men are not
all Bayards, as many hollov-eyed
wife who built her hopes for happiness
upon a graceful bow. or . love Of .
mustache, could sorro wfully testify.
An old maid friend of mine. whom
rallied upon her lack of . masculine
supporter(?) used to say that it Was far
better to bs laughed at because you were
not married than not to be able to
laugh because yeu we're. There 10
sound logic in that.
There are good and true men, mon
who are rneH. When such . one loves
you, If your heart gives . responsive
thrill, be as thoughtful, kind, wemanly,
loving as you can, and treat him like
prince. You have found the white
elephant.-[H H. M. G., in The House
hold.
| LOAF CAKE.-Bsat together two cups
white sugar, one scant cup butter, three
eggs and three teaspoonfuls baking
powder. Add cup Of sweet milk and
then gradually boat in three heap
ing cups of flour. Sprinkle little
powdered sugar over the top Of tie
cake before baking.