Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1884-04-24
The Marriage Question.

In France The - ,ntS make the
match, saws London S cisty. III not as
as ostensiblv, Vet no less really is this
often done in England. IL is not the
man, but the mainten ne. Which is
uppermost in the nar-n nj thourhts.
1t is painful to reil cl. while taking a
survey OF the matches % itf,V wears
experience, now rarely w. ever could
detect that the char"c cr of man,
otherwise eligible. influenced the pa
rental decision. For the most part, all
the evidence offered OF Il man being u
scamp or = profligatc is set aside rs
envy, malice, and all uncharitabieness
or else with the remark: We'll. all
young men are wild, but they grow
steady when they are married We
once heard Il lady, in speaking of 4
matrimonial event just coming Off say:
Capital match; first-rate chance for
Ellen. Not ut all the sort of man, we
all know, that she ever intended to
marry, but not one woman in twenty
does get that Certainly in this men
have an advantage, for they can choose;
the ladies must submit to be chosen,
save in the case Of some remarkable
belle who has admirers 1T command.
But these advantages or the side of the
gentlemen are less than they seem.
Their choice is anything but free rs far
as reason is concerned. They are the
victims of n natural illusion They
choose from the charm and fancy of
the hour, or the pride of possessing
some Lady Clara We're de We're. or
some simpering dimpled doll, while all
the companionable qualities and that
sunshine of the heart which relieves
the darkest while it adds warmth to
brightest days of this checkered life are
rarely even named among men as the
motive Of their choice Truly mar
riage is the door that leads deluded
mOrtals back to earth, =" and, Us with
many pretty bargain that has caught
our fancy in 4 shop window, great is
the disenchantment when we have
brought it home.
The married ladies j. the ballroom
are the pests of the poor mammas. They
have attained the object of all balls
and dancing, and yet they have not the
grace to feel for and Give place to
young girls who sit in rows against the
walls. Men prefer the married wo-
men, and why? They can indulge in
hope that in spite of French novels the
single would turn away. 1t is strange
that the husbands should endure to see
their wives whisked and whirled and
dragged about. well knowing that the
so-called Waiting and gallopading al
ways, unless unusually we'll done, de-
generates into little better than I'M
seemly romping; indeed, no one would
believe in its innocence if seen, where
we seriously believe it would not be
tolerated, in Piccadilly saloon. A
fact: A dressmaker who had seen from
an orchestra the dancing now in fash
ion, when asked by q lady next day
how she had been entertained, replied:
II suppose it is all right in high life,
but III our line of life no young man
would dare TO take such liberties with
young women" No, madam, your
daughters prospects never can be bet
ter for being exposed TO such scenes us
these, least of all in the new fashion
able costume of a skirt and pair of
shoulder-straps. 1t is not the senSuous
but the sentimental that should pre-
vail. The free-and-easy dancer, not
the graceful young lady Of proper dig
nifty and self-respect, takes the lead in
a modern ballroom, and foolish it is
for the really modest and reserved to
compete in such u sphere Granted,
they may enjoy it, and you may enjoy
it, too If SO, be happy in your own
way. Only for Introducing" your
daughters and looking to the main
chance, we can not recommend such
society.