Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-02
THE OLD MAID.
A Kind and Philosophical Nindication
of the Spinster.

mere are rev people that have not looked
into the dictionary especially who know how
the term spinster originated. We often find il
in Shakespeare and other of the classics. but il
is used 10 define the spinner. This is its specific
meaning. Its general significance is wider.
There was an old practice in the years agone.
that woman should never be married until
she had spun herself set of body, table, and
bed linen. 1t is not difficult to see how easily
the term became applicable TO all unmarried
women and finally became law term and fixed.
1t is not the fashion among lawyers nowadays
to specify the maiden by the word spnster.
Single woman is the phrase employed in its
place, and perhaps with more satisfaction be-
cause there Is something about the word spin
ster which Is Objectionable. IL is associated
with acerbity, wrinkles. moroseness and gem
eral dlsagreeableness. The term spinster il
decidedly Objectionable to an unmarried wo-
man. 1t occupies close position TO old maid,
which is certainly and ALWAYS resented with
scorn and oftentimes with indignation. Really
there is
NOTHING REPRoACHFUL IN THE TERM
old maid, provided, of course, the maiden lady
is well on in years. To call any woman old
when her face is not puckered up into a lot of
wrinkles, when her eyes are bright. her figure
erect and elastic. Is an objectionable sin. But
the term nils the bill. Around the word
maiden cluster most of the fancies and recol-
lectlons of youth. To most people a maid is Q
dream OF adolescence. To apply the term maid
to an elderly spinster would be a misapplication
because in the abstract maiden is % the aver
age mind a combination of beauty. blithesome-
ness, buoyancy. and youth. Hence. il the term
maid Is TO be used in connection with one well
on IN years, the adjectival qualification old must
be employed to note the distinction i'm age Ii
is unfortunate that there should be SO great a
horror felt on the part of unmarried women
toward this epithet-old maid There is this
TO be said of the old maid. She has an invi-
viduality of her own. She has a name which is
vital 1t is symmetrical She does not hide
her light under the bushel of matrimony. She
Is not absorbed into another's legal existence.
In fact, she has just as much personality as any
man. Everything in this world is based upon
THE LAW OF CONFIRMATION.
And in this fact may be found the compensa-
ton for the unmarried woman. IL she has
property she can do with it as she pleases with
out consulting a man, who possibly may be
stubborn or selfish or mean. IL she has no
property, but has to work for her living, she is
not compelled to spend portion of it ON a hus-
band who Is too lazy to work or if he is able
and willing 10 work is not able to earn enough
to support two in reasonable comfort. These
are compensations which are not without great
value. In the mind of every one that has "A
kindly nature the unmarried woman of mature
True, there are some mature maidens whose
minds are so contorted that TO them the
world is turned upside down and every man.
woman, and child Is their particular enemy. But
these are the exceptions, and il has often been
said that the exceptions prove the rule Not
long ago woman killed herself because. as she
confessed IN her ante-mortem letter. she had
not the courage to be an old maid. This wo-
man was one of the foolish virgins. The old
maid becomes in many cases a hallowed char
H.
by single selfish impression. is significant OF
the struggle that has been carried on within
and the final triumph OF spirit over matter. IL
takes great deal of courage TO stifle the aspi-
rations of womanhood. TO Danish the dreams of
youth, and to settle down TO the life of self
abnegation and sacrifice which maidenhood i'm
poses.
THE MATERNAL LONGING
is strong in the breast of every woman Nature
has implanted it there. She who is without it
is not worthy the name Of woman. And in ex-
tinguishing this longing there is a great burden
OF sacrifice. But this has its reward too
There shines out of the eyes of nearly every
unmarried woman who has reached the old
maid period light which speaks of gentleness
and perfect serenity within. There are few old
maids who, if they originally had lovable char
acters, are not really beloved by a wide circle
OF friends. She is more than esteemed She
is loved by every one that knows her And
ottler tilan tnal. every one Is ready ana Wiling
TO show her those little courtesies and atten-
tons which are SO priced by all womankind
There seems to be desire on the part of every
thoughtful member of society 20 contribute
much as possible TO the comfort and happiness of
the old maid There a time when the woman
who was forced TO live a single life was looked
upon with sort of pity. Butthat time has passed
away. Sp;nsterhood is not now looked upon
discreditable. How can il be- when there are
so many beautiful, charming, and loysble
women, not to say heiresses, who are included
IN Its ranks? Some women remain
OLD MAIDS PROM CHOICE.
Some are old maids because they are true to
the idols of other days Some because they
are fearful of the quicksands of matrimony.
Others because their ideal has not yet come to
them. The reasons in each one of these in
stances is not only creditable, but honorable.
Some one has said that every woman. whether
she be ugly or beautiful. deformed or symmet-
rical, has at some time in her life chance TO
marry. Society should honor the beautiful and
lovable woman Who rather than throw herself
away upon an unworthy object 80 respects
herself and her sex that she prefers the single
life. And what praises enough for that wo-
mans true heart whose life. on her own mo-
ton, is bereft of maternal joys and blessings
because her affections are true TO one that is
no more? In whatever light we look at the old
maid she appears 10 good advantage. Society
honors its spinsters provided they have the
old maid is a distinct institution of society.
And it is not easy to imagine how society could
I'LL her place.