The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-06-02
FINANCING THEIR
 BETROTHAL

God keep you safe, my little love,
 All through the night;
 Rest close in His encircIing arms,
 Until the light.
 My heart is with you as I knee1 to
 pray,
 Good night! God keep you in His care
 alway.'
 The reason why a good many men are backward about proposing is, if they are fortunate enough to be ac- cepted from that moment their f1nan- cial worries begin. This does not dis concert the rich lover in the least. He regards it as one of the issues of bus mess. He has no lack of means, and can be lavish when he sets his heart upon gifts or any requirements of financing.
 But for the poor young man who has only love in his heart to offer, the dear one he would make his wife, be- trotha1 means a great deal for him to ponder seriously over. First and fore most, the problem of the engagement ring which he must purchase causes him many sleepless hour. Even the poorest girl naturally longs for dia- mond, which she can proudly look upon as hers in all her after years. Come what may, it would be the most sacred link of her welded life, she fond1y concludes. The lovers talk over the possibility of getting the golden circlet for her finger, and the question of what the stone in it shall be makes their hearts beat quicker. Her eyes brighten as they light on his downcast, thoughtful face.
 She who is to be nearest and dearest to him in their walk through life ought to have her wish gratified at this all-important time, he believes. But, as for the means, he is far and away from having the required sum It is hard enough to Lalf promise that he would see about it before long, but when he finds out what the cost really means of a pretty, not large white stone diamond, nothing that he could offer her less than $1OO, his courage sinks to the lowest ebb. His pocket book says no.
 There is only one way he resolves to possess for her the diamond engage ment ring and that is to manfully add number of more working hours throughout their waiting year and save up, by every self-denial possible the sum. It would never do to tell her [ of the sacrifice to be made, he well knew. She would in all probability pOut over his many evening absences; his inability to escort her to some amusement, or to her girl friends homes. But, after undergoing all of these displeasures he would be nearing the goal of his ambition and few would
 
 Not until the betrothal ring, in it's tiny satin box, was handed her, and the glad cry of "Oh, how lovely, dear esti'' fell from her lips did he find. time to breathe out how happy it made him to present the emblem to her. His worries do not end with the paying for the ring-he must take her hither and thither, buy hoops and tops and mar bles for her little brother to get into that youngsters good graces, a set of religious books for the prospective | mamrna-in-1aw, meerschaurn pipe and so forth for father. From the time it is announced that he is to marry into the family, her uncles, cousins and old beaux appear to expect that he should load them down with presents-tflaf they may put in a good word for him | No wonder some engagements are stretched out for five years or more The prospective bridegroom who ean- not hold a tight string on his purse is unable to save enough to wed in- There's often a sensible reason when men take time to woo, refraining from proposing until he has accumu1a ted sufficient means to stem the betrothaI | period,