The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-06-08
WHY rs A
Letters From 500 of Them Contain
Hints Of the Answer.

Hints Of the Answer.
A woman's magazine recently sent
out a 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
mar. of your social standing before
entering p o 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 s~elf-denial of wife
hood and home making?"
About half the young men ques-
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 s2439.40. A ia
vorite figure is $500, but the sl5,-
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
luxuries out Of the question for the
young husband to provide, 1877; those
who think such comforts and luxuries
are not greater than the young hus-
band can provide, if they SO desire,
ten.
Here are some of the letters which
we're received by Good Housekeeping,
the magazine which sent out the let
tiers:
1.-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
live. I certainly should not attempt
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 a better living if you
are a 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"
"Id want to be sure Of $40 a week
to marry" says a 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 a year is the least de.
gree of poverty a man should ask a
girl to share with him."
Health, courage and $780," says
a Massachusetts, youth.
GAS I look at it you need, If you're
living in New York City proper, an
income Of at least 500 a week tc
marry on. I 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 a
week. But I don't know G girl in
New York-a girl really worth while
that I'd ask to share that with me-"
This is a New York opinion.
A composite opinion from five bach.
elors keeping house by themselves in
Kansas City, Mo-: ga couple must
have $4,000 a year in the Middle West
(more in the East"
81 do not think the question OF
s~elf-denial has ever been practiced, II
considered, by the young ladies of my
set," writes a city man.
On the other side is a Chicago
young man who says tersely: Yes,
it's a question of common sense n
most of them have it."
s'They can make excellent fudge,
but I would not like to try their bis
cults" writes a man from Washing
ton. "They play the piano well, but
1 doubt if they could buy a steak.
Some of them manage two or three
admirers excellently, but one servant
would be too much for them to han
die"
Spokane, Wash, speaks thus: Few
have any domestic ability and fewer
know how to economic. Otherwise
they are very estimable young wo-
men,"