The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1910-05-13

Letters From 500 of Them Contain
Hints of the Answer.

Womans magazine recently sent
out list of questions to about 500
bachelors in various parts of the coun-
try. These questions dealt with the
question of matrimony.
The first one was: What yearly in
come do you regard as necessary to a
man of your social standing before
entering upon married life?'
The second was: Are the young
women Of your set rightly brought up
and trained, do you think, for the re-
sponsibilities and self-denial of wife
hood and home making?"
About half the young men aues-
toned express the belief that the girls
are not adequately trained for the du-
ties and responsibilities of wifehood.
A stable minority, between fifty and
sixty, pronounce the training satisfac-
tory
In regard to income the estimates
received vary from $500 a year in a
Connecticut village to $4,000 a year
in Chicago. The average among the
500 men figures out S2439.4O. A IA
vorite figure is $500, but the $15,-
600 mark and several estimates of
$4,000 bring the level up.
Those who think it essential that
newly married couples should have
the comforts and Injuries of the pa
rental home are forty in number:
those who think this unessential, 116.
Those who believe such comforts and
Irv nf hn e.
young husband to provide, 1877; those
who think such comforts and Injuries
are not greater than the young hus-
band can provide, if they so desire,
ten.
Here are some of the letters which
were received by Good Housekeeping,
the magazine which sent out the let
tiers:
Two people can certainly live in
the Middle West on $500, but it will
take every cent of that amount to
live as an educated man wants to
marriage on any less, and I'd almost
be frightened to try it on that sum-"
This from Omaha, Neb.
A man from Texas says: You
couldn't want better living if you
are home man and live a moderate
life than you, could have in Texas on
$500 a year. That sum would not
only allow you to live we'll and have
plenty of recreation, but would en-
able you to entertain your friends and
relatives occasionally"
"I'd want to be sure of $40 week
to marry" says Chicago bachelor.
"a man can't ask the girl he cares for
to make too many sacrifices"
One who describes himself as "a
bachelor of arts says: Eighteen
hundred dollars year is the least de-
gree of poverty man should ask a
girl to share with him."
Health. courage and $780," say.
Massachusetts youth.
las look at it you need, if you're
living in New York City proper, an
income of at least S100 a week TO
marry on. l wouldn't try it on any
less for my part If you haven't got
that, wait That's what I'm doing. ]
can make out now by myself on $50
week. But l don't know a girl in
New York-a girl really worth while
that I'd ask TO share that with me-"
This is New York opinion.
a composite opinion from five bach.
elors keeping house by themselves in
Kansas City. Mo: "a couple must
have $500 year in the Middle West
(more in the East).''
II do not think the question Of
self-denial has ever been practiced, If
considered. by the young ladies OF my
set writes a city man.
On the other side is a Chicago
Young man who says terseiy: Yes,
It's a question Of common sense and
most OF them have it,
They can make excellent fudge,
but l would rot like TO try their bis
cults" writes a man from Washing
ton. They play the piano well, but
doubt If they could buy q steak.
Some of them manage TWO OF three
admirers excellently. but one servant
would be too much fo- them 70 han
die
Spokane. Wash. speaks thus: Few
have any domestic ability and fewer
know how 10 economic. Otherwise
they are very estinable young wo-
men"