Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1904-03-09

VHlfff@ The theory is that married
N $ ;s !; ;: ;:::: 49,; Y: $:::s; $$:;::!:
IL its own selfish interest It feels that married
clerk can't live on as little as thousand dollars
year. Perhaps it fears that its married clerks
making only that amount might try TO get more IN
queer ways-hence the order lOrbidding the clerks
to marry on pain Of dismissal.
It would be very nice thing II this Chicago bank,
or some other bank, should say;
GA married man cannot live decently on less than
O., 200 year. It would be an outrage on morality
and the welfare Of the country to compel lot ol
clerks to remain unmarried. We forbid any OF our
clerks 10 marry on less than 81, 200 year-there'
fore We shall pay every clerk Of marrisgabe age
ct least 81, 200 year."
But as these days are not the days Of millennium
exactly we can hardly look for any such announce
ment as that.
Let US drop the bank, with its sOrdid assumption
that man is not apt to be honest on small income
What are the real facts in regard to married hap
piness and money!
Is it true that young couple cannot be happily
married on 81, 900 year, or even good deal less'
We deny the statement, and what is more impor'
tant, millions Of happily married people through
ont this country deny it, Not onehali the husbands
Of the United States have 81, 900 year Are al
these men and their wives unhappyi Are the mil
lions Of average American homes miserable for lack
Of large incOmef
What about the divorces, in which the sad stories
Of disagreement, misery and unfaithtulness are re
hearsed dailyi Are the divorced couples usually
husbands and wives possessed OF very small lncomes'
What do men and women, seek in marriagei Il
it money, the opportunity to figure socially, th'
chance for extravagant hvingi
Do men about 20 get married think longingly o
butlers iOOtmen, automobiles, Wallets and large banl
aCCountsi
Does the average American girl who intends t
T..N
expensive dresses, diamonds and other extraV
aganCesi
No. The young American man or woman, for
tunately for this country, s great exception II in
terested in the material side OF married life.
The Young man about to be married consider
the girl who has accepted him as the most impor
tant most desirable thing In the world-iar abOV'
money or comfort.
And the young woman who has agreed to NARY
8 young man is nOtoriousy Indifferent aa to Wha
be has, but most Iedicuously and blissiully prOu'
Of what she thinks he is.
II men and women can retain these feeling
throughout their married life, marriage means tru
happiness for them, whether the food clothes an'
rent cost 81, 900 or half that sum.
And no amount OF money can make up for th
lack Of affection and mutual esteem. Nothing II
the wOrld-money least Of all-can restore tina
happiness upon which, fortunately, great mOiOrit
Of marriages are based.
There Is no meaner doctrine that can be preached
than the doctrine Of this Chicago bank.
Prosperity and wealth are good in their way
wisely used
But marriage should not wait for them. Tn
young men and the young women should marry 3
poor Is they choose and then start up the hill TO
eether It is not the bank account that make
married life happy. The young couple find thei
real happiness in planning with each other, work
ing for each other, working for each other talkin
and arranging and saving together.
A mans affection for his wife, intensified an
made nObler by the love Of children, gives him th
greatest incentive 10 real work.
Many man has climbed the hill Of success Wit
two OF three babies to carry, who would not eve
have made start without the incentive that th
wife and the children supplied.
This newspaper advises young people to MARI
frst and let the income come later If 1t will. Trn
happiness will come anyhow il the marriage is
wise One-the kind Of happiness that cannot b
bought.
Pick out your future husbands with care, youn
women: think Of their moral characters, Of thei
personal habits Think especially about their II
fenigance-ior you don't want to be the mothers {
stupid children.
But don't bother about the young mans pocket
hook. You win find more genuine happiness
helping him to fll il than you could ind IN helpin
5 richer man to empty it.
-a
Though not so very aged (he is only 77). Edwar
Atkinson. the noted anti-impeFaist, antlexpansios