The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1890-09-05


eyes are bright, her figure erect and her
step elastic is an unpardonable sin. But !
the term fills the bill Around the word
maiden cluster most of the fancies and
recollections of youth. 10 apply the term
maid to an elderly spinstor would be mis-
application, because in the abstract q maid
en- is to the average mind 2 combination Of
beauty, blithesomeness, Iuoyancy and
youth. Hence, If the term maid Isl to be
used in connection with, one well on in
years, the adjectival qualificator ''oldn must
be employed tonote the distinction in age.
It's unfortunate thai there should be SO
great horror felton, the artofunmarrieds
women toward the epithet-"old maid.n
There is this to be said of the old maid She
has an Individuality Of her own. She has a
name which is vital It is symmetrical She
does not hide her light under the bushel Of
matrimony. She is not absorbed into an
others legal existence. In fact, she has
just as much, personality as any man.
Every thing in this world is.based upon the,
law Of compensation. And in this fact may
be found the compensation for the unmar-
ried woman. If she has property she can
do with it as she pleases without consulting
a man, who possibly may be stubborn, or
selfish, or mean. Ii she has no property,
but has to work for her living, she is not
compelled to spend a portion of it on a
husband who is too lazy 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 compensations which
are not without great value
In the mind of every one thathas a kindly
nature the unmarried woman of mature
years is clothed in peculiarly bright at,
tributes. True, there are some mature
maidens whose minds are so contorted that
to them theworld is turned upside down
and every man, woman and child is their
particular enemy But these are excep-
tons, and it has often been said that the
exceptions prove the rule. Not long ago
woman killed herself because, as she con-
| fessed in an ante-mortem letter, she had
not the courage to be an old maid This
woman, was one Of the foolish virgins. The
old maid becomes in many cases halloWed
character. Her poor and kindly face, I'M
marked by SINGLE selfish impression, is
significant of'thS struggle that has been
carried ON within and the final triumph of
spirit over matter. 1t takes 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 a great
| ND rf D,Nf
ward, too. There shines out of the eyes OF
nearly every unmarried woman who has
reached ''the old maidn period a light,whch
speaks Of gentleness and perfect serenity
? within. There are few old maids who, il
they originally had lovable characters, are
not really beloved by a wide circle OF
friends. She is more than esteemed. Sht
is loved by every one that knows her And
better than that, every one is ready anC
willing to show her those little courtesies
and attentions which are so priced by al
womankind. There seems to be desire OF
the part of every thoughtful member o.
society to contribute as much as possible tt
the comfort and happiness of the old maid
There was time when the woman whit
was forced to live single life was looke(
} upon with sort of pity. But that time Ira!
passed away. Spinsterhood is not nov
looked upon as discreditable. How can i
be, when there are so many beautiful
charming and lovable women, not to sa,
heiresses, who are included in it's ranks
Some women remain old maids from choice
, Some are old maids because they are tru
to the idols of other days. Some becaus,
} they are fearful of the quieksands of matri
mony. Others because their ideal has no
, yet come to them. The reasons in each on
Of these instances is not only creditable bu
honorable. Some one has SAID that ever
3 woman, whether she be ugly or beautiful
3 deformed or symmetrical, has at some tim
in her life chance to marry Societ
e should honor the beautiful and lovabl
woman who, rather than throw hersel
$ away upon an unworthy object, so respect
: herself and her sex that she prefers th
Y single life. And what praise is enough 70
9 that woman's true heart whose life on he
8 own motion, is bereft of maternal joys an
!. blessings because her affections are true
: one that is no mores In whatever light W
4 look at the old maid she appears to good az
8 vantage Society honors It's spinsters pr
0 Vided they have the characterize win esteel
and confidence. The old maid is distint
n institution of society. Audit is not easy
a imagine how society could fill her place. !
T Umbrellas will last much longer If, whe
. they are wet, they are placed handle dow
ward to dry. The moisture falls from Il
a edges of the frame, and the fabric dri
$ uniformly. If stood handle upward, as
oI commonly the case, the top of the umbrel
70 holds the moisture, owing to the lining u
t derneath the ring; it consequently takes
g long time to dry, and Injuries the silk
a. other fabric with which 1t is covered. I'll
Is the main cause of the umbrella wearii
out so soon at the top. Umbrella cases q
responsible for the wear Of the silk. T.
cone tar+ frintin,n nn,1sns tinu hnlaa that q