Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-09-02
CLARA BARTON.

deep for mere esteem were received by
these ladies' of the gliding pen, assuring
them of loving assistance, but they passed
them by unheeded.
Robert browning had long, dirlcult
task 10 win Elizabeth Barret, and 50
averse was she 20 publicity that she had
not been out of the house in several
years.
Not so fated were the Cary sisters, who
have passed entirely away-and the
Brcntes. and the Younges. Late in life
George Eliot, attracted by the misfortines
and the helpless children of George Henry
Loves. linked her fortunes TO his; ana
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, disappointed III
girJhood. married Herbert Ward after ne
had adored her. secretly and publicly, TOT
years Just how near these women came
10 being permanent women bachelors IS
well-known Louisa III. Alcott had many
love affairs. but none strong enough to
tempt her into marrying.
A BACHELOR PHILANTHROPlST.
Clara Barton, frequently called "Our
greatest woman" lives a bachelor hie,
lust like n man. She often comes North
from her Washington home, and visits the
metropolis, stopping at large hotei'
and acting as independently as though
she wore cutaWay coat and four-ln-
hand. instead Of n simple bodice and
breastpn.
Miss Barton is n very wealthy woman.
She is said 10 give everything to the
famous Red Gro, s. which she founued' but
the public contributions come in so fast
10 her. and the private donations are so
large and so numerous that she always
has large sums of money on hand. Unlike
Frances Willard. she does not give away
her last cent, trusting to the future TO
pay the meat and grocery-biiis, but al
ways has a comfortable roll of greenbacks
where she can reach them.
NO SATISFACTORY OFFERS.
"Aunt Susan" a. dear. old 7i-year-old
Miss Anthony Is called. has definite rea-
son for never entering bonds matri'
monial 1T is because l have not yet
had a man ask me TO be his companion.
He has asked me To let him love; ana
he has said his home needed house
keeper and that his chldren-oh. so many
widowers have said this-nceded some one
10 guide their growing iniuds. have also
had men tell me that together We could
be very happy, ] at home and he at
work. But | have never. and shall never
accept such a proposal. When man says
TO me. Let us work together in the great
cause you have undertaken. and let me be
your companion and aid, for | admire
ycu more than i have ever admired any
other woman" then ] shall say, i am
yours truly but he must ask me to be
his equal: not his slay~. AS for support!
/ think woman shous be ashamed TO
have her husband support her"
TOO BUSY TO MARRY.
Anna Shaw is another woman-bachelor.
She Is a clergyman. who has married
many couples. and been often proposed"
10 herself. as she is very good-lookng,
ana possessed of "a comfortable fortune.
Il am too busy marrying others" she
always says, when asked TO forego the
name Of Shaw for some other
Oulda Is another woman who has re-
mained single to accomplish her life pur-
pose Of writing novels Of II certain
school. She is now rather cross-grdined.
IL is said. but her quick replies and ready
wit would give her a husband IL she
would accent one. There are certain
men. like Mr.. AsCuith, who married
"Dodo," who want 20 be entertained at
home AS for the care Of a house ana
the strict economy Of expenditure ad-
yised by people who tell girls that this
is the way TO get the right sort of hus-
band, they care nothing They want Drii-
liancy.
If YOU ask these notable women WHY
they have not married they Will reply
fiippantly. Press them closer and they
viii show embarrassment And then you
get the truth. And ii is this-startllng
though you may think 1t:
Women OF great intellect inVariapiy
love men of small brains, men whom
they pity at first and they marry because
they cannot help it. When they remain
single it is because they are ashameu
10 ally themselves with men of intellect
feebler than their own-men who cannot
support themselves and who could never
mould the opinion of the world. ANA SO,
in spite of their fondness they do not
marry. ,,o
AT least this is the opinion Of the phiio-
sopher quoted at the beginnlnS-a man
who has studied the world. But theie
win he those who Will look further ior
the motives that have kept the worid
greatest women s!ngle-motives OF self
sacrifice and devotion 10 cause ded'ef
than home and family comfort.
AUGUSTA PRESCOTT.