The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-10-29

ou are brave young man, or a
very foolish one."
"Why do you say that %
ITO think of marriage"
"What has bravery or folly to DO in
the case ?"
The young lady is poor"
L do not wed for money"
"There would be some hope for you
if she we're the possessor of twenty or
thirty thousand dollars. But being as
poor a. yourself, the folly this purpose
stands out in bold relief. Look before
you leap, my friend; there's trouble for
you on the other side.''
81 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-offact side. Suppose we consider
the matter-of-tact aspects. You are a
clerk, receiving salary of twelve hun
dred dollars. 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 wife and family ?"
ooh, I've been careless and wasteful
in expenditures, as most young men are
I 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; we'll educated
finely accomplished; used to good soci-
ETY., 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 hun
dred dollars, is simply preposterous. 1t
can't be done, sir; and the attempt will
prove rulnous to the happiness of both
parties to so foolish an arrangement. It
is a matter of the easiest demonstration,
Adrian; and l wonder so good an ac-
countant 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's present sphere of life.
She has home with Mr. Hart, an uncle,
and is living in rather a luxurious
way. Mr.. Hart is man who thinks
great deal of appearances, and maintains
a domestic establishment that does not
cost less than five thousand dollars year.
His bouse-rent is equal to your whole
salary. Now, in taking Rosa from this
home into what kind of one can you
place her e
A sober hue of thought came over the
young mans face.
You cannot afford to rent house at
even one-half the cost of Mr.. Hart's, 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"
"If not in the beginning, how after
wards %
The young man looked trifle bewil
dered, but did not answer.
What are you now paying for
board ?"
"Ten dollars week"
"You would require parlor and bed
room after marriage?''
eyes"
"At a cost of not less than twenty
dollars a week."
Adrian sighed.
"We could scarcely afford the par
lor."
Scarcely" said his friend. Well,
we give up the parlor, and take pleas
ant front chamber on the second floor, at
fifteen dollars a week. But the house is
not first class. nor the location very desira-
BILE. These are not to be had in New
York at fifteen dollars week. You can
not afford for Rosa the elegances Of her
present home. Five dollars a week more
for washing and ct ceteras, and your
income is drawn upon at the rate of one
thousand and forty dollars year. One
hundred and sixty dollars left for cloth
ing and all other expenses And, SO far,
it has taken nearly three times that sum
to meet your own demands. 1t has bad
look, Adrian"
"I was wasteful and self-indulgent,"
which the confident tone had departed.
"It will scarcely cost Rosa and me
for clothing one-half of what / expended.
"Say one-half, and your income will
not reach the demand. What was your
tailor's bill last year p
1.-TWO hundred dollars"
"Say three hundred, including boots,
hats, ct cetera."
"Yes"
"You could scarcely get this below a
hundred"
"Perhaps not"
The young mans voice was growing
husky.
"That will leave sixty dollars for your
wife's clothing, and nothing for pleasure,
recreation, or unanticipated but unavoid-
able expenses. And if it be SO with you
two in good health, what will be the con-
dition Of things in sickness, and with
children to support and educate ? Adrian,
my young friend, there is debt, embar.
rassment, disappointment, and . misera-
BILE life before you. Pause and retrace
your steps before it is too late. If you
love Rosa, spare her from this impending
fate. Leave her in her pleasant home, or
to grace that Of man better able to
provide her with the external blessings
of life. You cannot marry on twelve
hundred dollars year, and it is folly to
think Of it."
"That could get boarding for twelve
dollars . week," !" said Adrian.
uw. ~orId scarcelv helm the matter