Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-03
Tho Married Man and the Bachelor.
For tho Dispatch.l

For tho Dispntchl
Another advantage the married man
has over the bachelor is that he can live
his boyish days over again In bis chill
dren. think it the duty of the father
construct his sons in swimming, skating,
sailing the kites, &c, &c. In SO doing
he recalls wildly the pleasures he once
had in these sports, and indeed does TO
some extent bring back "the sunny
hours of childhood. This seems to be
an instinct. The old Indian enjoys the
sight of the young buck handling the
bow and arrow, whether deity or awk-
wardly, and | remember how
the old lions in their cages
in the London Geological Gardens SEEM
ed to he pleased as they wagged their
tufted tails and laid their massive lower
laws on the bottom Of the cage and
watched with twinkling eyes the gam
bols of the young lions in the yard out
side. One could almost imagine the
sturdy and venerable oak would feel
some paternal JOY rs he looks down upon
the vigorous sapling sprlnging from his
roots, whom he shelters with his brawny
arms from the storms of winter.
The father is an enlarged man IN
many ways. He feels his import
ance and responsibility. He looks
forward into life with deeper interest. |
once tried to comfort "A valued friend
who was lamonting the degeneracy Of the
times by telling him his race would soon
be run, but he quickly and wisely re-
piled. All yes, that IS true, but, sir,
NV children are to live here and | must
not forget them. The married man is
more patriotic. He has wife and chill
dren to defend. He is also more liberal.
The daily wants of his family demand
his sympathy and help. How often
have / seen the poor man cheeriully
spend his last dollar TO crafty some
fancied want of his child. Indeed he
often forgets his own wants III his care
for his household. This practice con-
tinued for years makes him beautifully
unselfish, while the bachelor is unfortu-
nately culhvating quite an opposite
spirit. lie almost certainly becomes sell
fish. He knows that in old age he Will
have no one TO lean upon, no one upon
whom he has any just and undisputed
claim, and he knows that money Will III
some sort supply this lack, and hence ne
loves it more aud more. There are some
honorable mot "horrible exceptions,
as the printer made me say IN my last
article, J and these | shall duly notice be-
fore concluding these letters.
IL is sad fact that celibacy was in
greater disrepute in ancient times than IN
our DAYS. The Psalmist IN speaking OF
the happiness Of the married state uses
an expression which always brings to my
mind a beautiful picture that should be
mt on canvas. In those tribal days the
matter or question OF peace or war was
often settled at the great gates Of the
city, Here O conference was held by
the old and wise men of the tribe.
There was then greater respect for age
than now. This may be said to our
shame. fear. In the passage
referred to the old men OF
either side confer together gravely
at the gate, while their sturdy sons, oc-
cupying the background with foldedarms
and bent heads but erect bodies, waited
PATIENTLY and respectfully for the result.
IL the fathers say "War," they buckle
tight their swords and put on their he'll
NETS ready for the fray. Ii the decision
rs I" Peace, they surround the old men
and conduct them triumphantly home.
David says in compliment OF the married
man. Z" He shall speak with the enemy IN
the gates" his stalwart sons standing
ready To yindicate him with their swords,
But who. alas will vindicate the old
bachelor, leaning on his staff at the gate
z.