The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1889-08-01
Two Old Minds.

TWO UIu MuluSs
Two maiden ladies of Virginia, who
had reached that uncertain age for
femininity when the last faint spark
Of matrimonial hope has died out in
the ashes of despair-when even the
traditional "honest gander" has ceased
to be looked for as a possible conner,
and the realization has come in all its
bitterness that for them, indeed, mar
riage is faiIure-these two worthy
ladies, instead of accepting their tate
with Christian resignation as the just
judgement of heaven for the aDsins of
their earlier days, actually Committed
suicide! They gave as the reason for
thus fastening their exit from world
where marriage is held in favor and
their entrance into another where
"there is neither marrying nor giving
in marriage" their solemn conviction
that there is no pleasure in life for the
"old maid" The last thought if not
the last words of these unfortunate
females was, "give us husband or
give us death"
We feel inclined to moralize q little
over this sad tragedy, and we indulge
the hope that we may so point the
moral as to alarm the conscience and
encourage a prudent fear in the breasts
of our fair readers who are contem-
plating matrimony, yet tempting the
fate Of old maidhood every day OF their
lives.
Our dispatches do not attempt to
account for the fact that these two la.
dies allowed themselves to pass the
dead line in the matter of age without
securing proper partner, although
filled with horror for what the poet
with bitter irony calls "single blessed
ness" Yet we think we know the sad
story They were once young, o.
course, and doubtless beautiful. They
had both native charms and acquired
accomplishments. This at least is
our theory and If it doesn't fit thil
particular case it will fit others. Sc
we proceed. They had admirers by
the hundreds and lovers by the score
They might have chosen the bes
from the numbers which throngeC
about them, but they became dazzleC
by the brilliancy of their own reigI
and their silly little heads were turn
ed by adulation and flattery. They
coquetted and hirted and broke hearts
and wrecked lives right and left anC
thought it was good fun. They in
tended to enjoy the fun as long as i
would last and then take IA husband
But, alas, when the fun gave out th,
siutors had departed, their own at
fractions had dimmed and they wer,
left loveless, beauless and forlorn
When Love besought them they trifet
with and deceived and made a monke,
of him and when they held cut thei
withered arms to Loye the little rogu
stood off and Knocked them. The aw
full tragedy which ended their live
was Cupid's revenge. Who shall sa.
that the fate was undeserved? An,
what lesson their awful end gives t
the dazzling array OF feminine Ibeaut,
who feel yet secure OF their charm:
but wot not that the beauty OF woman
is as the flower of grass, and tina
those charms which are shallowes
but showiest are but for season.
We draw this moral for the benefi
OF all who feel that matrimony is th
chief end of woman. We might dra,
another which would show what
| false view OF life was taken by thes
minated suicides, and we might max
old maidhood beautiful and crown
with glory by picture of a deaI
sweet,souled, patient, loving, gent
and unselfish heroine, who is happ
est in sacrificing self, and whose plea
ure is the reflection of the pleasures {
Others which her own heart has plal
ned and her own hands have wrougf
We have all known her, and love
her and blessed her-this old mai'
who gave her love and life to no ma
but referved it for mankind. W
might say much Of this "old maid
, but it is not our purpose to make o.
maidhood attractive just upon IL
verge of the census year, and viii
we would not picture in colors too dal
the fate of those who undergo Il
maiden pilgrimage yet we hold vii
+, the Divine William that
Earthly happier is the rose distilled.
Than that which whitening on the virgin tho
Grows, lives and dies in single blessedness.-
Nashville American.