The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1883-02-07
For the Farmer and Mechanic.
"vincuIum Matrimonii"--And a
Bill of Costs Of the Same.

My young friend, Nihilo, spent the even
manner of adolescent youth, women and
marriage were his conversational staple
The youth had apparently been count
ing the cost of taking unto himself a
wife, and probably had an assistant,
equally interested, and not enthusiastic,
for his opening remark was very despon
dent. 1t would be no use to ask girl
to marry on fifty dollars month, girls
are so mercepary now. Girls" res
ponded Ego, Judi, ally, "are not one whit
different now from what girls always have
been. Human nature is essentially the
same in all ages and generations," and.
continued Ego with pleasing impartiality
men are not less mercenary according
to my observation of them. Pennies
girls are as little courted by the brothers
as penniless men are married by the sis
ters. 1t is much Of a muchness.
Nihilo d dn' feel called upon to argue
the point, but presently said, ''say girl
would be willing to marry a fellow who
got $50 month. lets figure it up, and
see what they could do. We'd, | mean
they'd, board The fr>t year, that would
be fifteen dollars each Hold" said
practical Ego, opposed on principle to uu
deresIimate. They couldn't board here
at less than S35 possibly $40 for room
fire,, light and table board for two. -
Jerusalem - said NihiIo in dismay,
"ihat leaves only ten dollars for clothes,
washiDa. postage. etc. 1t eau be done.
Ne, ny dear Nihilo, not at boarding,
People who marry on $50, go immediate
" 0nn .
deal OF money in Your own house, when
you get only what YOU choose to have, but
uot one cent as boarder.
well, rent your house. furnish it, pay
servants hire, and all that, and what is
left? You can t do it. That depends
upon the sort Of gill you intend to marry,
and how fond Of each other you are. Oi
course you couldn't have everything you
wanted, but if you loved each other
enough to consider being inseparab'y
united the highest good, then you could
very safely marry on that. But of course,
you would not marry until you had saved
a few hundred dollars to buy the furni-
tue fer Two or three rooms, and little
house plenishing. Nihilo me1itated
moodily. then asked suddenly" You
wouldn' advise anybody to marry on that
salary, would youy'
Ego laughed inwardly, and said, ''my
dear Nihilo, would not advise anybody
to marry at that salary, or at ten times
as much | would not presume to advise
people to marry under any circumstances,
but | as certainly would not advise them
rot to marry if they were fond Of each
other, and the man was sober and indus
trious. think they could be reasonbly
comfortable, and very happy if they
cnose.
H. still meditated, then asked point
blank, DO you know any girl who would
do it would you?' Ego, who was no
arguing al hon.tnane. rallied from 81 oh
a direct assault, and said. Il would no, ha
willing to answer for anybody but myse f.
If | were fond of a lover l would be per-
iectIy willing to marry OIL such an income,
because know just how much | would
be willing to put up with, and whao
would be wiling TO do without. For in
stance, would not want to keep SER
vaut at first, and would be quite willing
to live in two rooms. 1t would be to ms
no hardship, but simply the choosing
of what | would rather nave, love aud
companionship, instead OF luxury and
leisure.
/ think any 5, nsible girl who reall,
loved her lover would feel just the same
1t all narrows down to the kind of CIR
YOU are fond OF, her views of life and
love.
Nihilo fetched heavy sigh, and
changed the subject, but still. thought
about it, and finally determined to eabmi'
the question TO the wisdom of our assem-
bled Household. Hr
n l.. h., Comfort Marshall, and the
McGregors' wife. rise up in meeting, ano
tells us if reason, or unreason would govern
a marriage between 1.-TWO hearts that bea
as one, should their exchequer figure
up only fifty dollars a month Any
others Of the family are cordially invited
to in their experience, or views: These
select only because know them to Ut
wise in the wisdom chat comes through
the gateway of experience, and a face to
face conflict with some of liies sternes
trials, and realities. they were cradlec
in wealth, while | came up in roughel
school, and possibly our views may differ
Any way. little .ensible discussion
can hurt nobody, and may hel p some ovel
doubling pair to solve the problem so al
to make TWO into one. SO L, being
speaker, call the house to order to con
slider the bill Lefore them,
Non QUlD SED QUIs.
Jan sc, 81