Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-01-07
Taaigs' Golamn.
OLD MAIDS.

Motherhood may fulfill the highest
ideal of life, but there should be no
stigma connected with single life.
ssNo man can either live piously and
die righteous without wife," but
MANY a woman has her lot outside
the family; and it is an erroneous
opinion which obtains among young
women, and is often fostered by the
mothers, that to be an old maid is
the worst fate in life. Many young
girl gives her hand, but not heart, to
her lover, having the fear of sister
hood before her eyes. Is not this
often the reason of ill-advised I'M
ions, the social ban placed upon
those who are a little passe! Do
not many young girls fear that time
and so sacrifice their most gracious
possibilities? But does it not often
cost too dear for the privilege of
writing Mrs. before the name? If a
home, an establishment" the social
power and presence is worth more
than love, then it may be best to sac
rifice it to this fetish: the fear of be-
ing classed with the sisterhood of old
maids. But which is the worst, a
marriage of convenience, where the
demands of society leave no place
for motherhood, or that independent
condition of the old maid. The
young girl, as she enters society,
says to herself, and her mother
has often led her to this conclusion ::
81 will not be an old maid anything
but that" With her companions
about her they will ridicule Miss Eli
"a, who has found a niche in her life
honorable and independent. They
may receive attention from society
Young men who have burned out
their life in dissipation, are morally
corrupt, and can never make worthy
husbands for any woman; but the
unwritten law seems to be, a hus-
band at any cost, and not too close
inquiries into his past life. Wealth
and position will hide a multitude of
sins if we are saved from the re-
proach of single life.
What is the true ideal which the
mother should hold up before her
daughter. Is it that q home and a
name must be had at any cost =?
Should the anxiety and worry of life
circle about this, how to catch hus-
band? Is the bloom and glory Of maid
enhood to be sacrificed upon an altar
not far removed from the heather
Moloch? There is something more
precious 10 the young girl than or
ange blossoms and wedding bells.
She may have it even if she is al
sold maid" 1t is more desirable
than an establishment or the coveted
position as the mistress of an ele
giant home. 1t is heart pure as the
lilies, a character noble in all gra
cious ministries, an ideal that has it:
fulfillment not in marriage, save as i
shall come in the appointment o
Providence, but in the faithful per
Torrance of daily duty. This viii
often require sacrifice and heroism
the unherald devotion of a tru
heart but homes and lives are mad
the better by such living.
The "Old Maid" has her place i
life. Many are often dependent upo
her. She tolls behind the scenes
She is the drudge, when none
would not buy her service; til
nurse, the housekeeper, the foste
mother-she is missed when her da
is closed, if she has been true to he
heart, refusing to better it for
home with the traversity of love, y(
frightening other homes by a life
long service; she need not blush t
compare herself with her sister
whose life may be but the mocker
of welded life.-PrOvidence JouTRd