Middletown transcript., 1895-09-14
THE MARRIAGE QUESTION.

young marriage IS lmp0SS
BILE unless one has an assured incom
large enough to allow a margin fo
luxury" 1 would not" says the cler
on small salary, or the young Pre-
fessional man, task a girl in my owl
station to marry me, and live in nar
row drudging way, different from tha
which she has been accns toned to. 1t i
all very we'll to visit a nice girl in he
ia hers house, where she has ampl
rooms, rich clothing, plenty of none!
to spend; but to invite such a girl Il
be ones wife, to live in little cooped
up apartment, counting every penny
Shaving early and late-no, 1 thanl
youV The young fellow set his teetf
grimly, chokes down some pure ant
manly longings, and turns a resolutt
face in the direction of bachelorhood
To be quite fair to our girls we must
say that it is the exception to find them
mercenary. Very few of our daugh.
ters degrade womanhood by deli ber-
ately seeking or choosing a well-to-do-
suitor. Character, congenial tastes,
the sympathy, the subtle charm that
attracts and wins, are potent with wo-
men; and the girls are in a small min
ority, who. loving a man, would not
gladly and gayly share his poverty.
But they cannot say this.
By the traditions and decencies of
society, woman must remain sought.
Modesty forbids, and her native sense
of propriety invincibly restraints girl
from showing preference until it is de-
manded by the courtship that is her
right. Many rich mans daughter
would give her white hand loyalty and
fearlessly to the man as poor as was
her father when he begun life, pro-
vided only she were asked. Many
proud young man bars the door to his
own happiness, simply because he does
the girl he admires the injustice of
his heart against her, be-
cause he cannot provide for her home
80 elegant as that of her maidenhocd.
Then, too, men often ses an undue
value on mere accessories and orna-
nents, or, rather attributes to the op-
oosite sex disposition to overvalue
,hese. Agirl has clever fingers and
good taste. She dresses beautifully,
with elegance and variety of costume.
Her hats, her gowns, her feathers, and
lowers look as if they had cost a round
,um in current coin. The man sees
he lovely toilets that set off her ex-
luisite face, her dainty figure; and,
With the incompetence of man to
imagine the secrets of Woman's good
management, he fancies that it must
'ost small fortune to dress such a
'reature. How SHOULD he imagine the
economy of one skirt and several
waists, how suspects the admirable
ontriving and careful economy. which,
atent to women, are concealed from |
nen? Because, dear sir, you are pre-
ented to charming and stylish girl,
o not fly to the conclusion that style |
nd extrava gance are synonymous
erms. The dowdy is some times
pendthrift, and the elegant young
7oman marvel of frugality.
Of this be assured, dear young peo-
lie, mutually attracted, but for any
lerely commercial reason hesitating
D marry. Love is the first consid-
ration. Given love and loyalty, then,
man have two hands, and is will
lg to labor; brain, and is resolved
} use it; a good wife will make of
hat would support one enough, or
early enough, for two.
There is great satisfaction in the
ay of small things. Marry, and be-
in life in bit of home, in an nu-
Ishionable neighborhood, without d g.
re for display, simply and honestly.
void debt. Live for each other. At
md church and prayer meeting regu-
rly. Have no reserve or secrets from
sch other, and be perfectly open on
aestions of finance. The rock on
hich married comfort and happiness
'tenest splits is the lack of entire con-
1enee between the welded pair. You
ill remember the poets simile of the {
little rift within the lutte, that by and
7 will make the music mute;;" ard in I
le beginning, that day of small things t
perfectly open and frank about
A home as compact as |
ren's nest. home of small sacrifices,
lily struggles. of little trials and lit q
3 triumphs borne and shared together, a
ay be type of heaven. l
Then, too; home is a vital, grow
6 thing; and, as time passes, and 3
anges come, and circumstances
oadan, it widens, and becomes more =
autiful, and adds one feature after
other in the way of ornament and -
bstantial endowment, So that in !.
ars to be, the children of the house. a
Id that was small and plain at first ;,
ay be warned; as am warning you,
t to feel that they must begin where
cir parents leave off.-Margaret
.ngsters. Ii
rUyl N