The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1885-10-03
WHY THEY DON'T MARRY,
Lady Clerks In the Departments at wash
ingtOn.

.-'~~
threw his head on one side and assumed
the gravely reflective air of connois-
seur The person thus criticised
tripped along through the corridor Of
one of the department buildings, appar-
emily not only Indifferent to any posi-
bic criticism, but unconscious that she
was being looked at. She wore dainty
summer dress, and looked as feminine
and sweet as young, happy girl can
look, and consequently the Star repre-
sentative could not forbear remarking
to the Waterman, as he loitered near the
door for a moment, that she was a
pretty girl. This official glanced at the
fair vision, at first in perfunctory sort
Of way, and then, as the influence of
this feminine beauty penetrated his
soul, he relaxed from his official indif-
ference and uttered the above as his
solemn if not enthusiastic conviction.
The young lady, however, was not
aware that she had been officially
stamped, as it were, as far as the in
tluence and authority of the watch force
went, but continued on her way to the
desk where the Government claimed
her services.
There are good many pretty girls
employed in this department, OBJ
| served the Star man as the watchman's
eyes returned from following tho. re-
treating form, and as his counte ance
resumed the gravity of official position.
Eyes, there Gre," was the rather
brief answer, as if the matter was hard
ly worthy Of further consideration.
II suppose that they all marry and
leave youp" said the Star man, in .
matter-of- course tone of voice.
''lndeed they don't" replied the
Waterman, with returning animation.
ut is very seldom any of them get mar
ried."
"Why, how is that?" asked the Star
man, with great interest.
81 don't know that can explain it, :"
was the response, "but at any rate that
is the fact, as far as my information
goes. have been in the Government
employment for thirteen or fourteen
years, and l don't recollect in all that
time OF more than four or five of the
ladies employed in this department get
ting married. You evidently think that
because that young lady is pretty that
she will be married, but in Govern
ment department the fair and plain
seem to have about the same fate"
"Why aren't they married." persisted
the listener, as he thought of the alb.
surdity of such fair flowers being al.
lowed to waste their fragrance in soli-
tude. They have opportunities. They
are thrown continually in contact with
men, and you know that department
clerks get married, and they seldom
marry rich wives"
"As l told you," answered the watch
man, with some irritation at the attempt
to draw him into an argument, "Idon't
know the reason why, but know the
fact, because it is the result of nv owr
personal observation. When the clerk:
marry they choose wife outside Of the
department, and they may not be rich
or half as pretty and smart as the la
dies he meets in the department, bu
nevertheless that is what the depart
ment clerk does, and has always done
since have been here"
As he concluded with the above. TIL,
Waterman took up newspaper, and j
: was evident that the discussion was a
an end as far as he was concerned.
The Star man, however, was not sat
isied with his conclusion, and the NOR,
D he thought about it the more he wa
convinced that the Waterman wa
wrong. The matter began to grow il
interest, and the Star man, as he me
with people who would be likely t.
throw light on the subject, .consulte,
s them.
One of these persons said: 81 thin
that it is true but few ladies in the de
partments marry, and the reason for il
in my opinion, is that they have &C
) quired an independence and they don
care about relinquishing it. Of course
if an opportunity should be presente
G of making brilliant marriage and &C
0 quiring social position and wealth,
: think that in ma, ority of cases tn
ladies would accept it. But when
9 woman is earning her own living an
l. has an income which she can use as sh
Reases an average marriage does nc
u present the inducements that it does t
u woman who is differently situated
Besides, such a woman ideas are nor
practical and her appreciation of tn
k size of a dollar in everyday life doe
a not need the experience of marriage o
d a small income"
o Another person, in discussing til
: same matter, said: II think that Will
o great many ladies in the depar
n ments do not desire to marry unle,
II they can better their condition, still
a may be laid down as general prime
7. pie that they are apt to lose their a
Effectiveness in the eyes Of men. The
constant association with men ever
day, their occupation, which is no
n strictly speaking, feminine, causes the
- to lose that feminine grace and char
- y, which is so intangible that it is fe
IL rather than expressed. Men are a
l. tracted to women because they are
il different. 1t is what we mean when v
n. speak of a womanly woman, and it
If those qualities of mind and heart tn
q. find their best development in the d
"a mesticity of a happy home. Womt
5 are apt to lose the delicacy and char
lv of nature when thrown in daily conta
r. with men, and they are apt to becon
"a masculine. do not think that men a
i. attracted by wishy-washy women al
40 pretty doll faces, and that in order
,e be womanly it is necessary to be il