The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-06
ADVICE
ON SOCIAL
CUSTOMS
EARLY ENGAGEMENTS

TROM the countless letters that are
sent TO me inquiring about en-
gagements. have felt IL my duty
TO talk seriously with my readers
about this very important incident IN
Woman's life
I wish to emphasize the fact that this
step Is one OF the most vital that a
woman can take. 1t is a parting OF the
ways. It marks the opening Of new
vista OF action and thought.
Now, since this is the point where a
greater and wider life may be awaiting
you, or where the possibilities for in
dividual growth may be dwarfed or
killed. does it not appeal to you that
ones ideals should be fairly well formed
and mature before any decision be
made?
A MISTAKEN IDEA OF LOVE
DO you see that mann" a sensible
woman once said TO me, when dissi-
pated wreck Of one passed US on the
street Il almost elOped with him. I
thought that 1 loved him when 1 was
I6." II is unnecessary to add that the
love and that she was disillusioned. This
merely proves to US that people and
things which satisfy US at l6 are insult
fcient at .. No two beings develop
exactly alike. One person acquires evil
habits, another grows better. The age
that in its ideals is not mature is just a
suggestion Of what the individual may
be ten years later.
Unfortunately, a young girl OF I6 or
is does not see this index OF a mans
character Her romantic notions about
love and marriage are all very satisfy
Ing, but they will not feed and clothe
her nor supply the demands of her life
when she will have outgrown them.
remember. with despairing horror.
two young and irresponsible persons
who were married amid the accIamations
Of friends and relatives! He was scarce
ly able to decide for himself or to pro-
vide for the contingencies which fall to
every ones lot She had no thought be-
yond the triumphant flash Of a ring on
her left hand and the dragging about
of her gorgeous train. Oh. yesS they
were very happy for about four months.
There were lacking a mature equipoise
and judgment which are absolutely nee
essary for happy marriage, and the dis
agreements became more frequent and
more heated as the days rolled on. One
day the young boy of a husband left
and was never seen again. The wife re-
turned to her parents. a broken-spirited
young woman. Never will she be the
happy, innocent young girl again. Her
attitude toward life is embittered beyond
any change Her life has been ruined.
1t is just a case which is repeated over
and over in every ones knowledge.
Old MAIDS ARE NOT sCoRNEp
There is sometimes a different reason
from the girlish. mistaken idea OF love:
Il is the fact that 10 many OF our young
women the idea Of being "an old maid
Is repugnant. Let me say that Il is far
better to be single with the power to
choose your life partner in the years
that are marked by a true self-knowl-
edge than &c make a mistake when
young and 10 repent at your bitter
leisure.
Nowadays the modern young woman
Is not quite 50 dependent upon the sup
port Of her father as her grandmother
Was. Ana in THIS age Inc tile OF Did
maid is not stunned by the sensible
young woman. We are living in an age
when every one of US demands as her
Enallen6ble right free and ever
broadening Ete, a joyful liberty of
thought and ideals and sane pursuit OF
happiness.
The wife Of today must be more than
? pretty, laughing girl. She must go 10
her husband with sound intelligence.
sensible Ideals and 3 mature ability 10
cope with the many trying require
ments Of married life These are rare
~ found in the H-year-old girl. Please.
for the sake OF every one, heed the
warning. Insist upon a few years IN
which to prepare for your new life. and
TO prove to yourself that you still are
Of the same opinion about your future
'Nsband