The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1889-03-22
SOUTH FAIRLEE, VI, March Is, 1889.

Dear Friend:-I trust you will appreciate
all the hints mean to drop in this letter.
don't intend to give my definition of
christian duty. Each one of us that have
had the teachings of a good mother instilled
into our minds, know just what that means,
and also, the consciousness of having done
it will give us new life every day. To de-
fine our duty to ourselves, need to wander
little, but promise I'll be back just in the
nick of time. When two young people love
each other well enough to contemplate mar
rage how much better it would be II it was
the fashion to walk down from the Elysium
of Love to the stern realities of life six
months before the wedding day, than to be
obliged to tumble down in less than six
days after it. The sudden transit could be
performed in in much more dignifed
manner, and the result would sure to be all
that could be desired. To illustrate let us
imagine that dialogue similar to the fol-
lowing, only varied to suit the circumstan-
ces and the individuals, takes place between
every couple about to marry. mo, Pm not
very well off, # everything could could be be sold
to pay my debts and have couple of hun
bred left. just make a living and that's
about all. 1t costs good deal to work such
large farm. hire the help and myself
boarded, and everything seems to take the
money out of pocket and leave but trifle
marry. You won't need great many
clothes, for farmers can't afford to 60 a
great deal you know, and you'll have
good lot of them on hand, probably, when
you get married. Then you are not a very
hearty eater, so 1T would not cost great
get married intend to have clothes enough
to last me two years and furthermore l
mean to have the means on hand to keep
the stock good. How much would you
think necessary to clothee your wife?
Would dollar per week be, too much ?"
wos HiS You be willing to allow half doIaf
per week to clothe them?" "Oh!I guess
So" 'And for each extra man you would
happen to consider necessary your wife
to work for, would you be willing to allow
her dollar per week ~ "My stars
don't know, Pm afraid could mt afford it,
81 belong to the Masons." allow much
does it cost you ?" ''About ten dollars TAX
ing everything into consideration" Well,
of course, you would be willing to give your
wife the same allowance, so that if she
pleased she could join some society etc."
ki3% o you don't dr Week out r h9 oSo mosh
mot but a trifie." GLOW much p "Let
me see, about seventeen cents as near as
can figure it." "Well that will add some
thing to your wife's weekly allowance"
"Oh! nonsense surely you are not in ear
nest? My mother never had cent she
called her own. When she wanted any
thing father got it for her. l never have
thought about those things, but l supposed
all wives were about the same" II knew
you had not, and felt it was but right to
give you the opportunity of doing So"
Those things may seem trifling but they
hold the power of making or marring mar
ried life. When we wish to enter partner
ship in business, every point is duly con-
Sidered and the income is expected to be in
proportion to the investments You ask
me to enter partnership with you. To give
up father, mother, sister, and brothers, all
the pleasures of my girlhood, in word my
freedom. You wish me to invest perfect
health, a willing heart and ready hands in
your Company for life You are anxious
to give me your name, but would not trust
me with your pocket book. You will give
me the privilege of toiling from five in the
morn till nine at night, and my income l
see in the distance in the shape of calico
gown and pair Of one dollar CATERS, with
a lecture on practical economy in the use
of pins, needles and matches thrown in.
The duty l owe myself has obliged me to
give you food for reflection. If after digest
ing it properly you wish to talk with me
will be ready to listen." p. HIM.
To be continued