The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1893-02-09
MARRIAGE OF FRENCH GIRLS.

ways lined with chairs. The mother
and daughter take their places side by
side, and the two chairs are theirs for
the evening. When . man requests q
girl to dance he writes his name on her
card and does not appear again until
the dance 3egina Then he puts his
''claque" (opera hat) on the girls chair.
with her fan, and with a bow to the
mother, leads her of. Sometimes dur
ing the whole dance not q word is ex-
changed between the two Such a
thing AZ ''dividing" a waltz or sitting
1t Through" while the music plays is
unheard OF, though promenading is
permissible. When the dance is finished
the girl IS led back to her place, and
with THANK you, mademoiselle," and
''rhank you, monsieur" the couple part
TO the American girl the idea Of
thanking . man for dancing with her il
preposterous, but her French sister Is
more philosophical
''Why shouldn't I thank him?" she
askA HAS not the dance given me as
much pleasure as it has given him, and
IS it not compliment to be chosen
from SO many girls? Then why not be
polite?"
Alter season or two in society
madame decides that it is time her
daughter should be married. At pres
ent it Is the fashion for wealthy people
to spend the summer in their own cot
tages by the seaside, and there young
peop.e meet and are allowed certain
degree OF freedom, though always under
the eye OF chaEeron. After the
French girl is fairly we'll acquainted
with her future fiance (though this is
not always the CASEY, some relative of
the young man is charged with the
delicate commission Of presenting his
case to the mother Of the young lady.
The education, SOC al position, DISPOSE
ton. heath, wealth and prospects of
each are discussed with the greatest
franknes> Then, If the two are not
already acquainted, the girl is taken to
the theater and the men call on her in
tho box, or the two are invited to dine
at the house OF common friend. II
either does not like the other the mat
ter is ended. for it is very unusual
thing for parent to force \ child into
marriage. 1t, however, the liking is
reciprocal. other meetings take place,
the two are allowed a few moments of
privacy. walk in the garlea, or a con-
versatton at one en- | of the room. If
tho result is satisfactory the marriage
Ia decided on and takes pace three
months afterward. The question of
dot" (money) is serious one.
1t is absurd to say that French wo-
men are married only for their money.
1t is almost an impossibil,ty for man
In ordinary circumstances to marry a
poor girl. The education of the aver
age man is far more complete in France
than in America Every family tries
to send the boys to school until they
IRE at least eighteen years old. Then
comes the military service, and man
begins business when he is about twen-
ty-one. If his family are in moderate
circumstances it is probable that the
son accepts a government position,
with salary OF thirty dollars a month.
At thirty years of age, if he is steady
and industrious. he may make forty
dollars month. How is it possible ia
support family on SO small a sum?
The only solution is to marry q girl
with about the same income. It is not
necessary for her to have q large capi-
tai II she has any means of supporting
herself This also applies to cultivated
people.
A marriage in France is not the casy
thing 1t is in America. The consent OF
the parents of both parties must be fur.
nished. or If that IS not possible and
they are of age, then the refusal must
be obtained, together with their birth
certificates and the marriage certif.
Gates OF the parents If the latter are
dead their death certificates must be
procured before the bans are published.
A religious marriage is not recognized
by law, and it is usual for the civil
marriage to take place at the mayors
office In the carly morning and
the religious marriage in the church at
noon, though often the civil ceremony
is read the day before the relig Gus
ceremony takes place. AS France is a
Catholic country the double marriage
is customary The groom wears dress
suit, the bride high-neck white gown.
The trademarks and bridal party are
all in high-necked dresses, as it is con.
s'dered the height of improperly to en-
ter church decollete. After the serv-
ice-during part of which the brioal
couple sits on chairs with their backs
to tke congregation-the bridemaids
take up collection, passing purses made
OF the same material as their dresses
The proceeds are given to the poor.
The question is often asked, "Aro
French marriages usually happy?" As
rule they arc moro so than American
marriages. The man is carefully Sc
lectcd by the brides parents, who are
better able to judge what will prove q
suitable match than a girl of twenty,
who knows SO little c; the world and
has seen so few men that she is COM
Inonly ready to love the chosen one. It
i. the fashion for French writer's to deal
with immortality OF all sorts, and this
gives foreigners a ia Sc idea of things
AS matter. Of fact, the standard OF
morality of the middle classes is quite
as high in France as in America, viii. e
the so-cal!eI upp are about the
same in ali countries Miller
Monthly.
Furnace and stove Dust.
One little matter which few people
think about will keep half the dust out
of rooms that now 0athcrs and that 10