The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-02-15
MARRYING FOR MONEY.
MARION HARLAND on SNTATRIMONlAL
FORTUNE HUNTERS.

MARION HARLAND on MATRIMoNIAI
FORTUNE HUNTERS.
Girls Who Have Married Wen''-Ths
Folly of Marrying Upon NothinS--aus
bands on Allowances from NireS--Ihf
Sio of Marrying for a Fortune.
Some things which are done by reputa,
BILE people are acknowledged by nobody.
When Thackeray, with his character,
istic violation OF conventional expedien-
cy, made Henry Esmond say, with naive
seriousness, of Lady Castleton, ''She
had been listening at the door, a howl
of reprobation arose from critics of both
sexes, professional and amateur. He
had lowered the object of his alteration
below the average of a common cham
bermaid-or SO it was declared. When
Mrs. Candor AYERS unblushingly, s'My
eye caught sentence in the open letter
that aroused my curiosity, and read
the whole of it." her bosom friend,
although delectated by the scandal re-
vealed by the act, must look shocked
and murnur deprecatingly, or suffer in
her own estimation. When Amelia can
not refrain from whispering to Resale
the secret confded to her under q
solemn promise of secrecy by Eugenla,
she defends the betrayal to her con-
science by saying: cit was told me In
strictest confidence; but you know, dear,
I don't consider that violate my pledge
by limiting it to you, from whom hide
nothing"
The queer part Of the laboriously
acted farce is that the only person de-
ceiyed is the sinner herself. Lady Cas-
tleton's eavesdropping did not burden
her sweet white soul. Mrs. Candor says
boldly: "Anybody else would have done
the same in the same circumstances.
II she be shrewd she adds: ''The only
difference between people with charac-
ters and without, is in the amount they
confess" Amelia does not avoid be-
trayed Eugenia's eyes at their next meet
ing, says her prayers with a heart as
single and voice as devout as II Rosahe
were not privately con7icting her OF
perjury.
So.whoever did marry for money?
The thing is so odious, the treachery,
-sacrilege-so abominable that no
man or woman who cares for reputation,
or has even nominal regard for social
decencies, will admit the charge at the
tribunal of self-consciousness.
THE TITLE OF <FoRTCNE-EUNTER
is as Ebelous IS that OF coward and
he who deserves it exerts ingenuity and
glozes over circumstantial evidence IN
retrospective reflection to clear his soul
of the stigma.
The heiress of his selection has really
no present fortune, as the daughter OF g
rich father may inherit nothing IN the
long run. Or, if she hold her wealth IN
her own right, she would be prize were
she penniless.
In that unlucky event he would have
controlled his manly affections, as the
whole world knows and says sneerlngly
behind his back, however he may hood
wink himself. The right of man to
fall in love with rich girl or the child
of wealthy house, is as patent as King
Cophetuas to WOO the beggar maid.
Cup;d's freaks may as well take one turn
as another. In the teeth Of the doughty
assertion, the world continues to shrug
significant shoulders.
To shrug and sneer and snarl, and yet
become, with parents and friends, acces-
sorry to the unholy commerce.
ssDinna wed Sor siller's sake. fwad
be unco' sinful, ye ken,' said pious
Scotch father to his son. ''But see to 1t
that We gae where siller IS!
WE may feel a twings of regret, but
we have ceased to be shocked when We
hear the marriage of two ardent young
people spoken of as ga genuine old
fashioned love match, such as one sell
dom hears OF in this day." Nor are we
riehteously indignant at the compassion
ate smile that accompanies the implied
slur.
One direct question will prove the
truth of the assertion. What do we
mean when We say that girl has ''mar-
ried wel?" Given tolerably suitable
age, fair character. health and disposi-
tion, the commen6ation has but one
generally accepted Interpretation, as any
candid reader will admit.
heard an eminent theologian use the
words the other day, in answer to con-
aratulations on his daughters marriage:
ssShe has, indeed, married magnih-
cently!'' he subjoined aside to an intl-
mate friend. s'I could ask nothing bet
ter for her, thank God!''
Meeting the son-in-law subsequently,
the friend saw an uneducated man OF
mean stature, ignoble visage, boorish
department, and less ban mediocre IT,
telect. But he has Inherited the mil
lions of lf-made father, andis cunning
enough to turn them over to advantage.
Another bridegroom was so repulslve
in aspect that one revolted at the con-
trast with his fair, majestic bride. He
wore a wig, and his senile grin would
have been less disagreeable had be en-
ploved dental skill also; he was squat in
figure: his scapty beard was grizzieo
red. his face mcttled and freckled into
the complexion Of gooseberry roley
poley, and he was thirty years his Tlfe's
senior.
Eve feel very happy about our darl
ing" said the tender mother, with glis
tening eyes. ssShe has chosen more
iudiciously than DO most girls OF he1
The father, as well pleased, expressed
his satisfaction in different sort.