The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-17

vice. Many bachelors, absurdly over esti-
mate the expense of matrimony, and
think that all women are ruinously ex-
travagant. That this is so learn from a
conversation that was lately overheard
In a ball room. A lady of a not very re-
firing disposition, when dancing with a
middle-aged bachelor. asked him straight
out why don't you marry; can't you af-
ford to keep a wffe?'' my innocent young
thing" was his reply "I can afford to
support half a dozen wives, but 1 can't
pay the milliner's bills of one" This man
expressed the fear that makes old BACH
elors Of many, and If there are women
who wish to catch the poor timorous
things the best bait they can use now-a-
days is simplicity In dress and in taste
generally.
The proposal is often made that old
bachelors should be taxed but this comes
rather inconsistency from believers In
the happiness of marriage. If the institu-
ton is so blessed 1t would be hard that
those who, from circumstances over
which In many cases they have no con-
troll, remain bachelors should, In addition
to losing these blessings, have also to paw
a fine. There was a time in England when
an 1mpost was laid upon bachelors I'm
married dukes over the age of twenty-five
had to pay e12 los per annum, common
persons a shilling. In 1TS5, bachelors
d
their servants than were married folk
What drives poetry out of the world?"
asked Goethe, and he answered ''the
poets. On the same principle If 1t be
asked What drives matrimony away
from many?" it may be answered "the
bad specimens from whom they had to
choose" 1t may have been some shock
which he once received that caused an
old bachelor to say that when he wanted
to discover the matrimonial tidings of his
friends he looked in the paper for the
news of the weak-so spelled Perhaps
however 1t was a case of "sour grapes
and that this old bachelor was really
sorry that he had deprived himself of the
strength and support which marriage
gives, and that he talked in this way to
pretend that he had not made mistake
OF course there are old bachelors who
are neither useless nor dfsagreeabIe Some
are unself1sh like Charles Lamb and even
considered Jolly" by nephews and nieces
not merely for the tips" they give but
for themselves '4sue
WHEN ARE BACHELORS AND MAIDS
"OLD?"
At what age are bachelors and maids
generally called "old?'' This denende
very much upon themselves A woman is
no older than she looks and a man no
older than he feels. The fact is DeonIe
bring upon themselves the appelIation of
odd bachelor" and .:old maid Az a
rule 1t is not given to any one who re-
tains a well-regulated mind a d:a,osition
to enjoy simple pleasures, sympathy with
the sufferings of others, and fortitude to
support his or her own pains A bachelor
who becomes small in his aims and DUR
suits. who is self absorbed If not selfish
who behaves in an unseemly way who ia
easily provoked. who rejoiceth i'm iniouitv
such as he is considered miserable
"Old" bachelor.
So too the term ''old' maid is given
soon and frequently to the harsh-voiced.
abrupt hammered. unmarried woman. who
initiates man In dress, and tone and hear
ing, who interferes with relations. and
sets them quarreling, whose rudeness and
selnshness make everyone uncomfortable
at the hotel or boarding house where she.
her cat. dog and canary live.
very different is the old maid who may
be described as a success=and there are
such. She may not have an absorbing
mission, but she puts everyone into good
humor. and is always desired She is
not soured by celibacy but can think of
ana plan for the happiness of others.
She Is gentle. ready, helpful, and firm
Wltnal, In sickness or any other emer.
gency. Her eyes ARE homes of silent
prayer, and she is truly religious. but
she does not talk much about religion
An English tourist In Donegal asked a
woman who had begged from him on the
road. II she were a,widow. "Troth 1 am,
your honor, and the worst kind of wild.
der-an old maid, way the reply. This
suggests the enquiry whether 1t is bet
ter to have lost thenjoys and sorrows OF
married life or never to have had them
at all. In one respect, certainly, widows
are better off than Ola 4naids. With pro
verbal facility thehforaner can marry If
they like, the reason probably being that
they have formed the habit of trying to