The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-01-27
SLAVE AND MASTER.


One Of the most scathing Of Thacke-
rays satires on fashionable society Is
the story OF the decline and fall into
folly and ruin of a young married couple
OF small means, who had been living
comfortably and sensibly In. modest
home. ...I..
The wife was first tempted by the gift
OF some fine nOte-pa to Issue invita-
tiOns to dinner party. As 1t was to be
a dinner party instead Of an unpTeten.
tiOus little supper such as those to which
they had usually hidden their friends,
she yentured to invite one or two titled
people. ....
Then she was tempted to leave out her
tried old friends, whom she feared were
not suitable companions for the guests
of rank. Betty could not be trusted to
cook for these fashionable folk; pro-
fessiOnal caterer must be employed.
Florists, uphOlsterers, wine merchants
followed. The house was turned inside
out. What was the resultp The much
coveted guests sneered at her paltry
Aping of fashion; her neglected friends
were offended; debt, loss of credit, bitter
notifications, and finally the discharge
OF her husband from his Office, fol-
lowed this ambitious venture into the
pretences and displays Of fashionable
life. -.
Here is true and a pleasanter story
which is quite as suggestive. A young
couple were married few weeks ago in
New York, with a capital of much love
and common sense, but very little money.
As they were more than ordinarily bright
and intelligent, they had a large ac-
quaintance among well born and we'll
bred people.
At the time of their marriage the hus-
bands business was in the lower part
of the city. If the newly married couple
rented a house In any town outside of
New York, 1t would take half the hus-
bands salary to pay car-fare. but 1t
would take the whole of it to rent a
house IN New York. To join the great
army Of idle, croeheting, gOssiping wO-
men in the hotels and boarding houses
was contrary to every principle and pre-
judice Of the little bride.
One day she discovered In yard near
her husbands office wagOn-house be-
longing to a great cracker manufactOry.
The lower floor was given up to wagons,
but above there were we'll lighted, spa
ciOus, vacant rooms, which she found
could be rented for trifle. 1t was a
healthy locality and respectable, though
occupied mainly by business houses.
Here she declared she would set up her
household gods, and here she did set
ment, and finally delight, Of all their
friends.
The rooms we're cheaply, but really ar
tistically arranged. There were always
such cordial welcomes, such witty talk,
and simple, noble living to be found In
them, that they attracted even those
among their acquaintances who were
most exclusive" People who would
have passed our young couple unnOticed
in boarding house were pleased by the
courage and self-respect which they
showed In this little action, and became
their cordial friends.
Since then they have acquired wealth,
and live in one of the most beautiful
dwellings on Staten Island. But they
often look back, perhaps with something
of regret, to the happy days passed over
the wagOn-hOuse.
Moral: Cringe before Mrs. Grundy
and she has a merciless scouTge for you;
but go on your own right way and pass
her with Indifference, and she will at
least respect you, If she does not follow
you as a slave his master.