The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-05-19
Select STORY.
From Leslies Sunday Magazine.
THE CLERKS MARRIAGE.

THE CLERKS MARRIAGE.
"You are brave young man, or very
foolish one"
"Why do you say that p
''To think of marriage.
"What has bravery or folly to do in the
case?"
''The young lady is poor.
Il do not wed for money"
''There would be some hope for you if
she were the possessor of twenty or thirty
thousand dollars But being as poor as
yourself, the folly of this purpose stands
out in bold relief Look before you leap,
my friend; there's trouble for you on the
other side.
II am not sordid, Mr.. Blair The
young mans fine face glowed, and his eyes
flashed with repressed indignation.
''Not sordid enough, Adrian, for mar
riage, as society is now constituted. There
are two sides to this question of marriage
the sentimental side, and the matter-of-fact
side. Now, you have looked only at the
sentimental side. Suppose we consider the
matter-of-fact aspects. You are a clerk,
receiving a salary of twelve hundred dol
lars. How much have you saved.
Nothing to speak of.
"Nothing So much the worse. If it
costs you twelve hundred dollars per annum
to live, whence is to come the means of
supporting a wife and family?"
ooh, I've been careless and wasteful in
expenditure, as most young men are. [
had only myself to provide for, and was
self-indulgent. But that will cease, of
course"
''Granted, for arguments sake. The
young lady you propose to marry is named
Rosa Newell?"
eyes"
GA charming girl; well educated; finely
accomplished; used to good society, as we
say, and just suited for my friend Adrian,
if she had any money, or he an income Of
five thousand year. But the idea Of
making her happy wife, in the city of
New York, on twelve hundred dollars, is
simply preposterous. 1t can't be done,
sir; and the attempt will prove ruinous to
the happiness of both parties to so foolish
an arrangement. 1t is matter of the
easiest demonstration, Adrian; and [ won
der so good an accountant as you are should
not, ere this, have tried the question by
mathematical rules. Let me do it for you.
And, first, we look at Rosa present sphere
of life She has a home with Mr.. Hart,
an uncle, and is living in rather luxur-
w.. Al
a great deal Of appearances, and maintains
domestic establishment that does not cost
less than five thousand dollars year. His
house-rent is equal to your whole salary.
Now, in taking Rosa from this home, into
what kind of one can you place her p
A sober hue of thought came over the
young mans face. a.
"You cannot afford to rent house at
even one-half the cost of Mr. Harris, even
if you were able to buy furniture con-
tinued Mr.. Blair.
awe shall board, of course" said Ad-
rian. Housekeeping is not to be thought
of in the beginning.
eff not in the beginning, how after
wards ?"
The young man looked a trife bewild-
cred, but did not answer.
"What are you now paying for board p
''Ten dollars week"
':You would require parlor and bed
room after marriage?"
eyes"
'At cost of not less than twenty dol
lars week
Adrian sighed.
1--WE could scarcely afford the parlor"
Scarcely" said his friend. "Well, we
give up the parlor, and take a pleasant
front chamber on the second floor, at fif-
teen dollars week. But the house is not
frst-class, nor the location very desirable.
These are not to be had in New York at
fifteen dollars week You cannot afford
for Rosa the elegances of her present home.
Five dollars week more for washing and
ct ceteras, and your income is drawn upon
at the rate of one thousand and forty dol
lars a year. One hundred and sixty dol
lars left for clothing and all other expenses
And, so far, it has taken nearly three times
that sum to meet your own demands. II
has bad look, Adrian
II was wasteful and self-indulgent, re-
piled the young man, in voice from
which the confident tone had departed
at will scarcely cost Rosa and me fol-
clothing one-half of what expended.
''Say one-half, and your income will moi
reach the demand. What was your tail
ors bill last year ?"
eeVtyyo bundrad dollars -
''Say three hundred, including boots
hats, ct cetera."
eyes"
"You could scarcely get this below
hundred
"Perhaps not"
The young mans voice was growing
husky.
"That will leave sixty dollars for you
wifes clothing, and nothing for pleasures
recreation, or unanticipated but unavoida
BILE expenses. And if it be SO with yol
two in good health, what will be the con
dition Of things in sickness, and with chill
dren to support and educate? Adrian
my young friend, there is debt, embarrass
ment, disappointment, and miserable Lift
before you. Pause and retrace your step