New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-25
LETTERS OF AN OLD MAID.
XvIL-ro A MARRIED WOMAN.

XVn-TO A MARRIED WOMAN
Dear Edith; a few days ago I wrote 10 my old
friend Vernon protest against the tyranny Of
things stopping short within the limits of a letter
OF the old three volume novel I will now turn
the current Of my whimsical thoughts upon you,
and treat you to q weird lament on the tyranny
Of clothes. I know your weakness for pretty
clothes. you will least realize the terrible
hold they have upon Us. though you may not shrink
l do from the strenUosities Of shopping I'll
conAde 10 you the three conditions which make
shopping-to me-a thing TO be classed with night
mares, quarrels and visits TO the dentist. In the
first place. there's poverty Some wouldn't call It
poverty, others would; il depends on the point Of
view. When I go shopping. my point Of view is
such that ! ready 10 call IL restitution As a
friend Of mine. who has TO wrestIe with the same
condition often. says: "Oh. that gown wasn't my
choice. 1t Hobsons'! I have to take Hobson
along whenever buy anything But the differ
ence between that other impecuniOus person and
myself is that she knows how to get along w3&
"Hobson"; in other words. she has the talent 81
choice within her limitations She knows what skes
she finds it l don't If had plenty Of money I
wouldn't choose anything, l would make
else choose il for Some with definite tastes
persons choice with abiect humftv FoTp vii vii
confess it you, because you know il Already
an. in al minor matters that involve no moral
issue, addicted with the curse Of Reuben l
undecided to the point Of madness. Offer me a
choice between two things equally desirable and
stand wabbling between them ali winter. I should
One Of the most provoking conditions in this
world is the fact that there are many things
AoTaists Will tel you that that is SO, but
decided persons will always manage TO see an ad-
vantage in course another but things always
seem 10 be too evenly balanced. and throw into
he stood a sOsil on On one 5s 52ot Just.
And on when foot he felt the wust
he couldn't q told ye uutherl
That's me. exactly c"That's T. wouldn't express
II al a1Ll When was young girl and wanted
tween Paradise lost ana WordsworIh's .'f5xcur-
sion" before 1 could settle 10 either.
The consequence is that when L shop invariably
blush al over with credits in red INK and
know that the heads Of departments dread the sight
OF me And after have exchanged thing for
Ut is mine inhrmity'; you cant be too thank
And that leads NE directly to difficult condition
number three, indicated by me at the beginning Of
ts & 4a a Il S6v es ans Se o 2
fesston. am not Whole hearted in my lofLness
The woman who can be happy though shabby-nay
ness sake-is nobler being than I am. I envy
] cannot attain unto II. The consequence is that
! pursue diagonal course l carry my indifference
certain point and then weakly capitulate TO the
torn pieces between the two and / fire.
quently long for the moral equipment that would
enable 10 fall back upon the outward equip
ment OF Salvation Army officer or a sister OF
destiny to my wearied soul; but there again the
flesh would revolt ] never could bear to be
comfortable; and 70 wear wOoIlen things in sum
zner or l&nguish under Veil q poke bonnet
would ruin my disposition ! suppose ! must go
wearing conventional clothes and agoniZing over
the problem Of getting things that becoming
durable and inexpensive, all the time
Only the woman VINO has Wrestled with that prob
lem knows what IL means. As for the woman OF
extensive income, who has only TO consider ner
tastes. II she makes the choice a burden, she Is
either totally vain or hopeessly fussy, and have
no sympathy for her. One OF the chief joys or
wealth should be In the freedom II gives from
sordfd entanglemeEts- Yet have known wealthy
people who made the same remark about poverty
] am reading Aaeteriincks Wisdom and Des-
tiny" Yet I find il difficult 70 apply its principles
wander how Maeterlincks sage felt when he had
enough presentsble enough and good enough 10
isst ave wears. and yet not expensive enough TO
divt,,rb MS financial equilibrium. Il would tax all
Sts nhilosophy However / not pobng fun at
.stI,s saee''-heaven forbidi ] love his philosophy
s15 iIsf now / am using IL as anudote 70 the
beTrihie decentralization % recent shopping tours
Va, NAV look for me he wonderfully improved
tbsrehvt though II is not inconcelVabe that you
lii iooL In vain For Just as become morally
braoaS I shall again find the very foundations OF
~ being Iooeened by another hideous round OF
ssroDTiDg and changiugi For Christmas IS ~ hahG
snS n Is idle 10 sing May nothing you disnsy
r,itb 4he spectre OF she holiday bargain counter
,ist1v ~ before my shrinking soul can pursue
tbe subject further; IL becomes too pAlnI1l WISH
- r1of fov but Spartan endurance ana shaA
ever De- s'e" - PRISCILLA