Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-05
a hunt for rich wives Both sexes "look
Ia IL that thav oaa where siller ia

These ensophisticated essayists, laying
to the warped outlines the rule and
plummet of sensitive rectitude, assume
that suspicion of the truth must lark in
the bottom OF Sevres coffee cups,
sit bodkinwise between the welded
pair on satin sofas and car
riage-cushions. They are represented
as gazing through gilded bars at the
frank, innocent joys OF those who are
chosen and beloved for themselves alone,
as Adam and Eve might have sought I'M
guarded crevices in Edens wall, and
made of them wailing places over what
they had forever forfeited. II the in
nermost heArt-hning Of Crmsus and
Baroness Burdett-Coutts wero turned
ont 70 microscopic examination, we
might find definite traces Of the
corroding suspicion aforesaid. The
average millionaire does not associate
in his most secret thoughts his riches
from his individual personality. Purse
pride runs through every vein, is assimi-
lated by every organ. announcement rs
were the consequences Of Midas's touch
TO his daily bread, he doubtless retained
in his prayer to be saved from starvation
strain OF pride in bis unique accom-
plishment. Our Wall-street Midas is not
chagrined that the beautiful school-mis-
trcss elected TO grace bis table, carriage,
and mansion should be won bv bis mil
lions. lie loves her the moro intelli-
gently for her appreciation of what Is
himScU
Who ever saw an heiress TO whom tho
dread OF being married for her money
was the fretting pea under her fourteen
fcather-beds? The yellow reflection Of
virgin gold becomes her as ornaments
the bride. She values her possessions
RI inherent. not extrinsic charms. Sho
knows as well as you and | that rich
fsirl never lacks for suitors, and she is
grateful TO q benignant Providence Tor
making her future sure and bright.
One Of the vainest women | ever knew
portioned of her handsome, obsequious
lord month by month--so much for
cigars. so much for horses. so much for
tailors' bills, so much for sundries-and
50 far from being ashamed of the one
sided co-partnership, reminded him of 1t
in playful threatening when others were
by in such terms as
Don't be saucy. my love, or ! will
stop your allowance !" Or, dear
dear what expensive luxuries husbands
are Here's payday again
She had her fattereIs and court, for
she was pretty. fippant lavish. and rich
and in society Her money was but
one element of her power, as essentially
n part Of the woman who had attracted
and won her impecunious Adonis as
were her conversational gifts and fine
eyes. The conscious possession OF
wealth imparts sense Of mastery that
intoxicates steadicr brains than hers.
Admitting all this. as the candid OBJ
server of society's ways OF reasoning and
action must. there is an ugly substratum
of truth, realistic and stubborn, that
thrusts up granite shoulder through
sophistical froth and sparkle. Let the
woman who has a prospect of marrying
well. according to the definition already
given, denude her betrothed of the
golden fleece draping his moral and
mental being; put behind her the
visions of "houses and vineyards,
gardens and orchards, and pools
of water" represented 10y Sara
tora and Baden Baden, "silver and
gold, men-singers and women singers
/ u. e.. the German and French opera,
" great possessions OF great and small
cattle" Thoroughbred horses and
poodles) "all the peculiar treasures OF
kings and OF the provinces" and ASK
herself as in the honest hour of DEATH
Would I become this mans wife, fol-
better and for worse, for richer and for
poorer. in sickness and in health, through
good report and evil report, until death
MS 10 part if he had none OF these
things? If, in their place, he conld
offer me only heart full OF love, o pair
of hands able and ready to do battle
with fortune for my sake, what would be
the answer Of my heart at the altar
If she answers NO with or against
/ hey will, she SIM in marrying him. Whe1
/ she takes the irrevocable vows upon hel
She pcriurcs herself in the sight OF 8
f holy God and pure angels; Is sold, body
and soul. To a life rs degrading. as surely
subvcrsive of mOdestv and morality, "a
is that of the beautiful slave in a Turk
i,h market. How the mother can sane
ton bv her blessing the unholy cere
monv passes the comprehension OF clear
eyed. right-minded women, whatever
NAV be said of mems duller perceptions
/ II makes less difference with them, We
are told, this closest of lives posi-
BILE in this world, when the bond Ii
merely one Of commercial gain and con
vcuience. Let them settle with the mas
culine conscience the ethical question O
wooing with phrases borrowed iron
love. the women 10 whom they would
never give a second thought were they
portionless the pretence OF dlSln
tcrcsted devotion maintained through
ont the betrothal the oath OF al
/ legilnco to the women they hold
by the hand when these are really adj
+ dressed to bonds and securities, TO stocks
ana real cstate-the horrible wrong done
to tie creatures who believe IN them "a
/ in Him who made them. Let us specu
/ late. instead, as to the process by whlcl
/ the mother who knows what marriage
is-what heaven and what he'll 1t may
be-works herself up Cor down = to thu
conviction that her child can, IN any
sense. be "well off - in wedding a maj
/ because Of advantages that have nothing
to do with his intrinsic self. The CIR
NAV err through partial ignorance-hel
matronly adviser never
Yet the young maiden who says, ..
mean to marry a rich man, whether
love him or not, breathes upon be-
purity by the utterance, howeyeI
ihoughtless it may be Ii this be hcl
steadfast purpose, inculcated 10y hel
elders, acted upon, when opportunity
offers. by herself. there stands between
her and the poor wretch from whos'
touch she draws aside her matronll
robes. as if contact were contamination
only the shadow Of n legal lie, the tcnu
Gus screen of tue witely name.
MARION HAHLAND.
A Physicians HistOry Of Birth.
baltimore SUM-
A physician in sending certificate o