From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 32: what you’re looking at

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NOTE.—This department will be made a special feature of this publication. _| whose remarkable ability to answer all questions, no matter how delicate the import, will be much appreciated, we feel sure, by all our readers, who need not hesitate to write her on any subject. heart and never refuse her assistance or sympathy. a Nein =. — It will be conducted by Miss Shirley, Miss Shirley will have their interests at The following letters are a few which we have received from time to time, addressed to the editors of our different publications, the answers to which will be found interesting. *““My poor mother died in an insane asylum when I was only a baby. Do you think there is any danger of my ever becoming insane and would it be wicked for me to marry? ‘‘RLoisE T. C.” You are a very sensible and conscientious girl Yes, it would be very wicked for you to marry. Do not even dream of perpetuating such a fearful curse! The person who, knowing that he or she inherits a blood taint of any kind, commits a fearful sin when they marry and propagate-the species. It is your cross to bear. See that you bear it nobly. “So many young girls have had the benefit of your advice that I feel confident that you will not be unwilling to helpa married woman. When I married my husband five years ago I thought he was all that was manly and adorable, and I have tried to be a good wife. Little by little he has seemed to grow away from me, and his business and his men friends monopolize almost all his time. About six months ago I met a man of my own age, and since then I have corresponded with him. My husband is much older than myself, and I have found pleasure and solace in the letters of my new-found friend who seems to care for me deeply. Am I doing wrong to allow myself to en- joy his acquaintance?”’ It is evident that you have not been able to justify yourself in regard to this new friend. You do not say that your husband has used you harshly, and his business matters which you com- _ plain monopolize so much of his time are, we : ; ' a presume, really directed towards your comfort and protection. Itis his business that provides you with your home and your home comforts. If it takes too much of his time to do this, why tell him so. Tell him that you are willing to do with _ less if you can have moreof him. Let him realize that his society is more valued by you than pretty dresses or a handsome house. Many men in their devotion to their wives and from their desire to surround them with every possible comfort wear themselves out with the effort and defeat their Ownaims. If your husband is of this type he de- _ Serves the very last atom of your devotion, and ae ws rs ° -* rt ‘ 7 STREET & SMITH. a thought of any one else is more than sinful, for it is unfair. Asto your acquaintance with the other man, there is this to be said: When you are morally bound to another it is neither honorable nor just to encourage him to take an interestin you. You will probably do him grievous wrong, even if you do not do wrong to your husband orto yourself, which willbe hard to avoid. Try to regain your husband’s interest at once, and decide resolutely to have none but passing acquaintances. Break off your correspondence at once, telling your friend why you do soin a frank, womanly man- ner, and you may depend upon it that if heisa man of worth that he will respect you ten thou- sand times more for your action. Let us,hear from you again. . “T don’t know of any one to turn to in my trouble but you, dear Miss Shirley, and I’m sure you will not refuse me. Both my parents died when I was a child, andfor ten years Ehave lived in this little town with my grandparents. I am nearly eighteen years old, andam beginning to enjoy men’s society, which my grandparents can’t seem to understand. They make life miserable for me with their reproofs whenever I go out with any of my men friends, and I am tempted to cut loose from it all. There is one of my friends who wants me to marry him and goaway. I don’t really love him at all, but he swears he loves me, and I certainly respect him very much. Do you think I could be happy with him and make him a good wife?”’ You poor little child, not to have had the ben- efit of a mother’s advice and fostering care! There are many like you who have married for the sake of a home and have found that home— oh, so unhappy after the novelty and glamor of the change had worn off. Grace Shirley’s advice is not to marry for any reason but one—and that is love. A marriage based on any other reason must in time prove unsatisfactory. Respect must go with love, of course, but respect alone*is not sufficient to keep two people together “until death.”’ CONNIE LOO (Cc cs) CO)