The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-09
THE OLD MAID.
. Kind and Philosophical Vindication
OF the Spinster.

A Kind and Philosophical Vindication
OF the Spinster.
From, the Detroit Free Press
There are few people that have not looked
;.+o +be dictionary especially who know
low +be term spinster originated. We often
and if in Shakespeare aud other of the
classics. but it is used to define the spinner.
This IS its specific meaning. Its general
- 6cance Is wider There was an old
%Essctice. in the years agone, thata woman
tbonId never be married until she had spun
herself set of bo1y, table, and bed linen.
II ia not difficult to see how easily the
!orr, became applicable to all unmarried
,ror1en and finally became law term aud
fred 1t is not the fashion among lawyers
noyadays to specify the maiden by the
word spinster. Single woman is the phrase
amnIoved in its place, and perhaps with
more satisfac ton, because there is some
+binr about the word spinster which is OBJ
;octionable. 1t is associated with acerbity,
yyrrinkles. moroseness and general disagree
ahleuess The term spinster is decidedly
objectionable to an unmarried woman. 1t
occnnies 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
Iedy is well on in years. To call any
woman old when her face is not puckered
nm into lot of wrinkles, when her eyes
ale bright, her figure erect and elastic is an
nrpardonable sin. But the term fills the
bill Around the word maiden cluster most
of the fancies and recollections of youth.
To most people maid is a dream of ado
lescence. To apply the term maid to an
elderly spinster would be misapplication.
because in the abstract a maiden is to tbs
average mind a combination of beauty,
bithesomeness, buoyancy, and youth.
Hence, if the term maid is
to be used in connection with one we'll
on in years, the ad jectival qualifcator old
must be employed to note the distinction in
age. 1t is unfortunate that there should be
so great horror felt on the part of unmar-
ried women toward this epithet-old maid.
There is this to be said of the old maid.
She has an individuality of her own. She
has a name which is vital. 1t is symmet-
rical. She does not hide her light under the
bushel of matrimony. She is cot absorbed
into another's legal existence. In fact, she
has just as much personality rs any man.
Everything in this world is based upon
THE LAW OF COMPENSATION.
And in this fact may be found the COM
pensation for the unmarried woman. If
'
pleases without consulting a man, who pos
siby may be stubborn or selfish or mean.
If she mas no property she has to work for
her living, she is not compelled to spend
portion Of it on husband who is too law
to work, or if he is able and willing to work
is not able to earn enough to support two in
reasonable comfort. These are cOmpensa-
tons which are not without great value
In the mind Of every one that has q
kindly nature the unmarried woman of
mature years is clothed in pc culiarly
bright attributes. True, there are soma
mature maidenS whose minds are so con-
torted that to them the world is turned up
side down and every man, woman and
child, is their particular enemy. But these
are the exceptions, aud it has often been
said that the exceptions prove the rule. Not
long ago a woman killed herself be-
cause, as she confessed in her ante
norton letter, she had not the cour-
age to be an old maid. This woman
was one Of the foolish virgins. The old
maid becomes in many cases a hallowed
character. Her pure and kindly face, I'M
marked by single selfish impression, is
significant of the struggle that has been
carried on within and the final triumph of
spirit over matter. 1t takes a great deal of
courage to stife the aspirations of woman
hood, to Danish the dreams of youth, and to
settle down to the life of self-abnegation
and sacrifice which maidenhood imposes.
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 extinguishing this longing
there is 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 whica speaks of gentleness
and perfect serenity within. There are
few old maids who, if they originally had
lovable characters, are not really be-
loved by a wide circle of friends.
She is more than esteemed. She is
loved by every one that knows her. And,
better than that, every one is ready and
willing to show her those little courtesies
and attentions which are so priced by all
Womankind. There seems to be desire on
the part Of every thoughtful member of
society to contribute as much as possible to
the comfort and happiness of the old maid
There was time when the woman who was
forced to live single life was looked upon
with sort of pity. But that time has
passed away. Spins terhood is not now
looked upon as discreditable. How can it
be, when there are SO many beautiful,
charming and lovable women, not t. say
helresses who are included in its ranks!
Some women remain
OLD MAIDS FROM CHOICE.
Some arc old maids because they are true
70 the idols Of other days. Some because
they are fearful Of the quicksands of matri-
mony. Others because their ideal has not
yet come to them. Inc reason III each one
Oh these instances is not only creditable, but
honorable. SoIAe one has said that every
woman, whether she be ugly or beautiful,
aeIormed or symmetrical. has at some time
"a her life chance to marry. Society
should honor the beautiful and lovabe
woman who, rather than throw herself
away upon an unworthy object, SO respects
herself aud her sex that she prefers the
single life. And what praises enough for
tnaI woman's true heart whose life, on her
own own motion, is bereft Of maternal joys and
olesSlhgs because her affections are true to
one tnat Is no more In whatever light we
TOOK at the old maid she appears to good ad-
vantage Society honors its spinsters pro-
vlued they have the character to win
e J'le and confidence The old maid is
instinct institution of society. And it is
not easy to imagine how societv could All