From Farm to Fortune, or, Only a Farmer's Daughter — page 35: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

32 MY properly introduced to you and yourfamily. The manly way for him to act would be to call on your father and explain who he is, ete. Then let your father decide whether the acquaintance shall be continued. No doubt the young man can find some one who knows him who is also known to your father either by reputation or personally, and who would serve as a proper person to make the nec- essary introduction. You cannot be too careful to preserve the niceties of etiquette in matters of this nature. Carelessness at the seashore should not be allowed to lead to license in the city. ‘‘After spending the summer at the seashore I have returned to the city with my hands and face as brown as an Indian’s, and allthe girls make. fun of me. What can I do to remove the tan? ‘¢DoROTHY.”? Don’t let the girls’ chatter disturb you a bit, Dorothy. The healthy brown that comes from exposure to God’s pure airand sunshine is by no means unbecoming. You could not have any better evidence of perfect health and good cireu- lation. Never mind about the girls—the men wil] esteem your ruddy skin much more than they will that of your sallow or pale-faced acquajnt- ances. There is nothing you can do that will re- move the tan without injuring your complexion. All bleaches are injurious to the skin and should be avoided. Nature will remove the tan in her own good time, butif you want to hasten the process a little you might use a lemon cut in half. Rub this into the skin and the mild acid will help to whiten it. We would advise you to let the brown alone, however, for there is noth- ing that adds more to a young girl’s beauty. “Will you kindly do me the favor to decide a question for me? Iam sixteen, and I have two admirers. One is rich and the other is poor, and as I think exactly the same of each, I cannot make up my mind which to marry. ADEL2#.”’ To tell you the truth, Adele, your letter is a “startler!’? Apparently such a thing as Jove has not entered your mind, and yet you calmly in- sinuate that you would accept either one of these young men as your husband. We sincerely trust that you will ‘look before you leap.”’ if you marry a man whom you do not love you will lead a miserable existence. Wait until you can honestly say that you love the man of your choice. You are too young to marry, anyway, so you can well afford to wait for him. The ques- tion of money need not weigh heavily in the balance. Be sure that your lover is able to sup- port you, for that is absolutely necessary to the success of any marriage. 3 We would advise you to devote your time to study for two years at least, as itis very apparent that your nature has not yet been refined by affection QUEEN. ‘‘T hope you will not think me a silly girl for asking the following question, but I have heard so much of the blissful happiness of loving that I would like to know how I am to tell when I am really in love. I have met several young men who made me blissfully happy with their atten- tions, but I could not see any difference in m own feelings. Can it be possible that I really and truly love them all, or is it that I have never truly loved? Please answer this question. ‘““EVELYN.”? We are very much amused at this ingenuous letter. You are honest, to say the least, and hon- esty is one of the greatest of virtues. We do not really believe that you have ever been in love, and the word ‘‘blissful’ insyour case means sim- ply a wrong use of the adjective. When you real- ly and truly ‘‘fall in love’? you will recognize the . difference, yet we do not blame you for coming to us in your perplexities. “Will you kindly give me your opinion and ad vice in the following matter: The gentleman that lam engaged to has given me a diamond ring, and as ] am a poor girl, working in a store, my parents say that I should not wear it to busi- ness. My fiance is also a poor clerk, but he saved enough from his earnings to purchase the ring, and he says if I do not wear it, it will hurt his feelings. How can I settle such a perplexing matter? Lucy B. A.”? Your perplexity is very natural under the cir- cumstances, but we are inclined to think that you have a right to wear your sweetheart’s ring, although we regret that he should have bought so conspicuous a trinket. Consistency in dress is always desirable, and we presume the rest of your costume hardly warrants wearing diamonds. You had better urge your parents to look at it— differently. No doubt they will ‘try to overcome their natural repugnance if asked to do so—or, perhaps, your lover will be willing to exchange the ring for one more in keeping with your mod- est position. “T have only been married two years, but for the last six months I have been desperately un- happy. My husband took to riding a bicyclea few months ago, and now he spends all his leisure time off on his wheel. The only time I see him at home is when he is either cleaning or repairing the miserable machine. I have a sweet little baby to take care of, and I can’t find any oppor-— tunity to ride a wheel myself. I don’t want to in- terfere with his pleasure, but. 1 would like to re- ceive more of his attention. Won’t you advise me how to accomplish this? Kirtirm V. V;” Bicycling is a pastime for which there seems to be acraze at present, and the best of men are yielding to the infatuation of the wheel. You certainly are to be pitied for the loss of your husband’s society, but we can only advise you to bear with him patiently and try to show him ex- actly how you feel on the subject. Above all, do not scold or threaten to “smash his old wheel,” as it will have a tendency to make him ‘scorch’? away from you forever. Gomilchboo <S) ,