Evening journal., 1911-03-24
Gifts In Courtship
Days and Delayed
Wedding Bells

VERY often the girl herself n TO
blame for the postponement OF
marriage. although she never thinks Of
It in that way. Just consider. Here is
girl who delights ia little trips on
summer days. who enjoys an evening
at the play or in the concert hall. She
is devoted to small presents. but on
her birthday and about Christmas time
she expects to get something out Of
the ordinary. Flowers are a Joy 70 her,
cab rides a pleasure. street car rides
horror, and so forth.
Now, that girl, let us say, Is engaged
She is looking forward to marriage
nay. more. she is eagerly waiting on
that day when the services Of clergy
man win be required.
What about the young man? Well.
he, too. is eager for matrimony but he
is perhaps sensible fellow and does
not think II would be right to marry
without a respectable nest egg. Where
is that nest egg TO come from II the
girl uses up every penny Of tho hard
cash that might be laid by against the
coming Of a marriage day7
In short. every expensive present a
girl receives from her lover. every
costly trip he takes her on, every pic
mic party attended. every seat occu-
pied at a theater, means the further
postponement Of marriage Why won't
girls think7 Can man save money and
spend Il at the Same timer Surely one
cannot cat ones cake and have it-im-
possihlel
Does girl really love tho man whom
she allows TO lavish gifts on her OF
has she but consented TO become en-
gagged for the things she would re-
ceive7
The fact is that a sensible girl should
see to Il that her lover does not squan-
der money on her. During the court
Ing period il is the girls duty 10 make
p man save. No. no; she must not tell
him 10 save. but she can by self denial
make him do so.
II is very nice. no doubt. 70 go on
trips and 10 have pretty presents
Hhowered on one. but II they delay
marriage isn't Il rather absurd?
The truth may he told-young men
detest having TO give girls gifts Real
ly they don't want to do anything OF
the kind They feel compelled 70 do H.
but they kick--they do th,. Most
manly fellows want TO lay money aside
20 that they may the sooner be able e
lead the maids they love O the altar.
Now. the argument may be advanc.
ed. why don't young men just tell giriI
frankly that they would rather no
spend money on them2 All very well
but young fellows have the idea tina
girls look on the man who does no
give presents az a stingy cresture, and
believe me. no man wants a girl 4
think Of him as stingy. The bulk o
men would rather have marriage post
poned indefinitely than have that sor
Of idea get into a girls head,
There is this too--the giving o.
presents and 50 forth. has nothir q
do with love. Because a man showers
things on a girl IL In no way indicate,
that he ardently loves her. The rea
fact Is that the poorer the present The
deeper the affection. as a rule. Like
this the man who gives q handsome
present wants something in return foi
it-perhaps rore kisses-but he who
gives a small gift looks for no reward
He gives II as a present without am
thought In his mind Of a return
n man is not encouraged 10 saw
money during the counting season.
he has been allowed 10 be lavish as
lover. he win also he lavish az hus
hand. but with this difference n
VIII then only he lavish toward him
self