The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-09-19

n00U OF 1eOFSld JUdC tIlIS SITl lOuliu SUCH
staunch friends, and that they recognized
her capacity for official preferment. Gov.
Atkinson was her friend in those days,
and for that reason | must be his here
after. Signed.
JAMES G.. LONGSTREET.
Vine Crest Cottage, near Gainesville,
Ga, Sept. 11.-My friends ask me why
/, a young woman, married General
Longstreet Because l loved him, to be
sure, for no true woman would ever
marry man whom she did not love,
though there are always envious persons
ready TO draw conclusions and to ascribe
motives AS little child | had access
to thc home of General Longstreet, Il
man who impressed even my childish
mind with high sense of his honor and
integrity. There were about him no
repelling qualities.
| heard the old folks talk of his
achievements, and they built for him a
warm place in my heart. In a word,
General Longstreet was not only a
hero in war, but a gentleman in peace,
such IA man as wins confidence at once,
and especially the confidence of a wO-
man. who loves high ideals. All this
by way of preface to the question as to
why young woman should marry an
old man.
DO you know. Mr.. Editor, that wo-
men are born with ideals and ambitions
just as men are, but that our social
condition, while giving free vent to the
one, brushes DOWN or restraints the 9TH
er. / could tell you of scores of wo-
men with bright minds, laudable ambi-
tons and high hopes, who might have
shone in teh world had they burt the
chance.
YOUNG MEN PROVE UNSATIS-
FACTORY.
These young women, as soon as their
school days are over, understand that
marriage is the next step, and the one
which seals their fate forever. BY GUS
tom they are restricted to the company
Of those of their own age, and marry
young and undeveloped men, who after
ward prove to be nothing but the yeri-
est clods Of clay. Imagine a sensitive
and high-minded woman, as she awakes
to the realization that her husband is en-
tireiy dross.
How many a young woman / know
who would have chosen older husbands,
but for social tradition. In such a mar
riage they could measure quality for
quality, and though in the natural or
der such a husband might leave her a
widow early, is it not better TO have
been the wife of one acceptable and
companionable man than to be tbs. life
long slave of one whom her soul held
in aversion. A woman looking sensibly
at such an important event as marriage
will therefore look among such of her
male friends as have the qualities re-
quired.
A MAN WITH HIS RECORD MADE
The man who is advanced in years
has his record made up and the woman
can decide for herself whether he is
such one as would develop all that was
best in herself. While / had no special
person in view, my mind has always
been firm on one point: / would never
marry a simpering man who had no
ideas in his head, and who lacked the
energy to make man of himself If
ever the time came for my marriage
the accepted man would be one who
could come up to high ideal, who would
not belittle my hopes, and whose name
l would be proud to bear.
To prove myself worthy of such o
husband | have worked hard. / have
practically educated myself, and took
course in NOtre Dame, Baltimore, to
perfect my requirements. / attained
the office of assistant librarian under
circumstances which | think would win
the Georgia Legislature to have official
employment thrown open to women.
This l state in no offensive manner but
merely to show that woman may do
something in this world without losing
her womanhood
When, in the midst of all these efforts
| became conscious of General Long.
streets admiration / but redoubled nv
efforts, determined that ! should be re.
cognized for myself, and that he should
regard me as companion and helpmate
rather than as mere housekeeper
When he asked my hand in marriage
granted it, knowing that was entrust.
ing my life and happiness to one of the
noblest men God ever made.