West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1885-10-16
WHY THEY DON'T MARRY
Lady Clerks In the Departments at Wash.
ington.

threw his head on one side and assumed
the grayely reflective air of a 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 sho
was being looked mt. She wore "a dainty
summer dress. and looked as feminine
and sweet as a young, happy girl can
look, and consequently the Star repre-
sentative could not forbear remarkinV
TO the Waterman. rs he loiicred near the
door for a moment, that she was Il
pretty girl. This official glanced at the
fair vision, mt first i'm a p%crlunctory sort
OF way, and then. as the influence of
this feminine beauty penetrated his
soul, h" relaxed from his Official indif-
ference aud uttered the above as his
GLENN II not enthusiastic conviction.
The young lady, however, was not
aware that sho had been officially
stamped, rs IL were, as far as the in
huence and authority of the watch force
went, but continued on her way to the
desk where the Government claimed
her services.
There are a good many pretty Girls
employed in this department." OBJ
served tho star man rs the watchman's
eyes returned from following the re-
treating form, and a, his countcnancc
resumed the gravity Of official position.
Yes, there are was the rather
brief answer, as if the matter was hard
~ worthy oil further consideration.
81 suppose that they all marry and
leave your said the star man, in a
matter-of-course one of voice.
''lndeed they don't" replied the
Waterman, with returning animation.
ut IS very seldom any of them get mar
ricd."
"Why, how is that?' asked tho star
man, with great interest.
81 don't know that | can explain it,"
was the response, ''but at any rate that
the fact, as far rs my information
goes. | have been i'm the Government
employment for thirteen or fourteen
years, and | don't rccollcct in all that
time OF more than four or five of the
employed in this department get
ting married. You evidently think that
because that young lady is pretty that
she Will be married. but i'm "A 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
of such fair flowers being al
TO waste their fragrance i'm soil
tudc. They have opportunities. They
are thrown continually i'm contact with
men, and you know that department
clerks get married. and they seldom
marry rich wives"
'As told YOU" answered the watch
man, with some irritation mt the attempt
to draw him into an argument. ..Idon't
know the reason why, but | know The
TACT, because il is the result of my own
personal observation. When the clerks
marry they choose a wife outside OF tine
department, AMI they may not be rich
half as pretty and smart MS the la
dles ne meets IN the department, but
nevertheless that is what the dcpart-
mcnt clerk does, and has always done
since | have been here"
As he concluded with the above tbe
Waterman took up Il newspaper, and it
was evident That the discussion was ut
end as far Is he was concerned.
The star man, however, was not sat
isticd with his conclusion, and the more
thought about 1t the more he was
convinced that the Waterman was
wrong The matter began to grow i'm
interest, II the star man, as no met
with people who would be likely to
throw light on the subject, consulted
them.
One of these persons said: II think
That 1t is true but few ladies in the de-
partments marry, and the reason for it.
III my opinion, Is that they have ac-
CURED an independence and they don't
care about rclinquishing it. OF course,
II an opportunity should be presented
OF making a brilliant marriage and ac-
curing social position and wealth.
think that IN a majority of cases the
ladies would accept it, But when a
woman IS earning her own living and
has an income which she can use as She
pleaScs an average marriage does not
present the inducements that il does TO
u woman who is differently situated
Besides, such u woman ideas are more
practical and her appreciation of the
size OF a dollar i'm everyday life does
not need the experience of marriage ON
a small income
Another person, in DISCUSSING the
matter, said: Il think that while
a great many ladies i'm the depart.
mcnts do not desire to marry unless
they can better their condition. still if
may be laid down as "a general princi-
pie that they are apt TO lose their at
tr~acilYencss i'm the eyes of men. Their
constant association with men every
day, their occupation. which is not.
strictly speaking, feminine. causes them
lose :Eat feminine grace and charm
is so intangible that il is felt
rather than expressed Men are at
tractcd To women because they are SO
different. 70 is what we mean when we
speak ol 70 wOmanly woman, and 10 is
those qualities Of mind and heart that
lnd their best development in the do
mesticiiy of % happy home. Women
apt tO lose the dclicacy and charm
nature when thrown i'm daily contact
with men. and they are apt to become
masculine. ] do not think that men are
attracted by wishy-washy women and
pretty doll faces. and that i'm order fo
bee womaniy 30 Dis necessary to be inn
practical and silly But still I imagine
That most men. and the best men.
like feminine women. and. while H. is
always tine case, still I think the
majority Of women in the departments
gradually lose thi- quality of their nat
urc.'
Tho SUR man did not pursue his i'm
1uirIcs any further for, while not exc
satisfied, still it wa. realized that
old adagc. " Many men. MANY
minds, was still true H0shingiou
Sur.