The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1890-09-20
WATCHING AND WAITING.

fsirlhood In the Immediate Centuries OF
tho Past and Mt Present.
1t is woman's prerogative to watch and
wait Only throughout childhood's hap
py springtime, so bricf is tho present nll
sufficient. Having traverscd the bound
nry that separates childhood from maid
enhood, whom May has glided into June,
the first period Of watching ana waiting
begins. The elimination OF this period
usually produces "the prince" and,
amid new surroundings, the waiting
continues. While this first duration OF
happy waiting, enjoyed by the girls OF
to-day, covers several years OF thoir
active lives In the immediate centuries
Of the past tho period Of girlhood was re-
strictod to days Alone for girls were
commonly given in marriage almost be-
foro their childhood days had expired.
Researches in history proclaim this un-
wiso condition fact, especially among
the nobility. wy r.
| About the year 1910 thoro lived in Italy
Mary Doatrice, of Modona, a beautiful
child OF scarcely fifteen years. She was
devotcdly attached to her books, and
earnestly desired to become nun; but
she was selected from among list Of
six princesses to be the wife of the Duke
of York. afterward tho unfortunate
James H. OF England. When informed
by her mother that she was sought in
marriage by the brother Of the King Of
England. she innocently asked where
England was. 1t appears that geography
was not among tho studios pursued by
the girls at the convent where Mary
Beatrice was educated When informed
that the Duke of York was q widower
and over forty years old, she wept and
protested against the marriage, but all
in vain. When the time arrived for her
to commence hor journey to England to
be married, she is said to have cried and
screamed for two whole nights and days,
and was induced to go, only when her
mother, the Duchess of Modena, con-
sonted to accompany her. She complet-
ed her fifteenth year fivo days after her
marriage. Her eventful life, after she
became q devoted English subject and
well beloved Queen,is intensely inter-
esting, and is filled with care and sor-
row and closes when she Is widowed,
poor and On. exilo. This Is but one among
the multitudes OF similar sacrifices.
Mary Of England, when welded to
Louis XII. Of France, was but sixteen.
Maria Antoinette, wife Of Louis XVI.
WAS fifteen. and Josephine when first
bride was sixteen. Eleanor Of Castle,
wife of Edward /. Of England, was ten.
His second wife but eleven, and he was
sixty. Isabella of France, wife OF Ed
ward ILL.,, was thirteen. Anne OF Dohe-
mia, wife of Richard H.. was fourteen.
His second wife was but oight Katha-
rine Of Arragan was sixteen. Anne OF
Warwick was sixteen. Henrietta Maria
was six teen, while Charlotte Sophia was
seventeen.
We can but rojoice that during tho
transit OF years education has changed
the custom which compelled our young
daughters to fulfill dostinies in their
sweet youth which maturor years alono
warrant. While IL is but natural that
girls should nll look forward toward
homes OF their own ono lny, waiting un-
til Mt least two decades OF lifo have |
passed will bnt bettcr prepare the way
toward becoming griscldas In tho fu-
tiro. Think OF tho innumernhle homes |
throughout tho land where some loving,
patient heart awaits. Sometimes tits |
the wifo waiting for tho coming OF her
husband. Again, it is tho gray-haired,
faithful mother, waiting the return OF
hor boy Thus women watch and walt,
and whom having crossed over to the
other side, still will they watch and
wait for tho steps Of the loved onos com
ing. Wisconsin.