The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1942-04-03
(Rell syndicate-WNU service.l
By KATHLEEN NORRIS

"
"AN any marriage turn
out happily when the
~ bride is only 49," a
Texas mother writes me, land
when the husband, only a year
older, has never done a days
work in his life, but has to de-
pend upon his father for sup
port?
''This is the case with my only
and adored child, Lolita" the
letter goes on, land it is break
ing my heart. For weeks I have
been unable to sleep for, more
than an hour or two at a time,
lying awake practically all
night-worrying, worrying, wor-
rying. Lolita is nadly in love.
Leonard is as crazy as she is,
and their plans for the future
have about as much practical
sense as if they were babies of
3 and 4!
''Leonard's father sends him SIS a
month, and says he win continue to
do 50 until the boy graduates, fund
having been left for this purpose by
his grandfather. But that fund is ex-
hausted except for something only
a little over thousand, now, and
when that is gone, what?
'sLolita vents me to give them q
three.roem housekeeping apartment
in my house as my contribution. ]
usually get $25 q month for it. And
she feels that If we run out Of food
we can always run in and have din
ner with Mother
Mother in Despair.
"This is so far from being my
idea Of right and happy marriage
for her that I am in despair. ] am
a practical woman with a houseful
of boarders: I have supported my
daughter since my husband died,
but somehow don't seem to get on
top of this particular worry.
"Knowing Lolita, ] know that she
viii throw herself into this new situ-
alton as IL it were q game she was
playing. For awhile everything will
be fun and novelty, and then like a
child she will want to throw it all
aside. Our religion does not permit
second marriages; when her fancy
turns to someone else she will have
to sacrifice either her faith or her
happiness, and it seems to me some
times as If could not bear to watch
this process Of suffering and dis
illusionment going on.
'.Do you not think that the ages Of
IS and 20 are far too young for q
woman and man to enter into the
sacredness Of marriage? Do you be-
lieve, as I do, that there should be
laws forbidding marriage until both
persons are-say Is years Of age?
Finally, do you know Of any argu-
ment or warning that will save this
girl Of mine from taking q step that
may cost her years Of bitterness?
''She win be 10 in April. She and
Len tell me pleasantly, but firmly,
that they viii be married that day,
with my permission and blessing II
possible, but married anyway, with
or without it."
No Age Il Safe.
This distracted mother chooses for
her pseudonym "Thirty-nine." So
she was not much older than Lolita
when she herself was married. Lo-
lita evidently Is Ike her mother.
If q girl has been petted and
spoiled, INDUCED in everything,
brought up in ignorance Of the SIM
plest rules Of cooking, housekeeping.
budgeting; II she Is accustomed to
having her own way in everything,
being praised and fattered; and Il,
consequently, she Is impractical. ex'
| travagant, idle. selfish, then she
won't make ! good wife at 10. OF
"A, or 50.
But II, ON the other hand, she is .
considerate, self-effacing, affection
ate,s practical, shome-loving and
baby-loying soul, and really loves