Marion Marlowe's Christmas Eve, or, The Treachery of a Factory Inspector — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

one of the best hotels, where at least I have a comfortable home. I havea fair education and believe if I had a chance I could make my way in the world. Do you think I could improve my position by coming to the city of New York. Iam twenty years of age. I shall look anxiously for your advice in your magazine. yours truly, 3 | | MINEWAH G,”’ We are sorry, indeed, that you are forced to take so uncongenial a position, but, while you . gre doing your duty faithfully as a chambermaid, ean you not find some time to continue your edu- eation? You might take music lessons, for in- stance, if you have any talent that way, or spend your leistre hours learning shorthand or the typewriter. A bright girl has so many chances ~ that a dull girl has not, yet we do not advise you to come to this city, as it is already overcrowded with bright young women. We should think in the city of Pittsburg you might find something to do that would be more suitable to “your taste, but would not advise you to ‘let go of one rope ~ until you have hold of another.” % ——— “This is also a question of love, but not like those letters you have been receiving, for Iam too young to think of a lover yet. Iam thirteen years old and will graduate from public school next June. I hada girl friend. She has been my friend since I was six years old. Not long ago there was a quarrel between her father and - mother, and she went to San Francisco with her mother, Not long ago she came back to visit:her father and would not speak to me, and now she has gone away from me. What shall I do, Miss Shirley, for I loved her so well? ALICE.”’ Poor little Alice! We are very glad to hear from you and we sympathize deeply with your sorrow. But do not grieve, little one, over your friend’s coldness. She is only a child, and proba- bly not nearly so wise or so affectionate as your- self. Always think of her kindly.and some day, no doubt, she will be ashamed of her actions, and “be gladto have your love. Meanwhile, we are sure there are lots of other nice girls that you ean be’happy with, and we certainly advise you to cultivate their acquaintance. <> “Por the last three months I have been both- ered with a very perplexing question, and I feel _as though you, dear Miss Shirley, could help me. Last summer while visiting my sister, ] met a very handsome young man who paid me a great deal of attention. When I first came home [I _ received two letters a week. Now I receive one a month. I cannot give him up, for I love him dearly. He has quit keeping regular company, _ and my friends at his home say he talks of me - eonstantly. What shall I do, my dear friend? Has he gotten tired of me? He is a book-keeper P in a large establishment, yet he writes me that he has no work to do at night. Please advise me, _ and I will do exactly as you say. I go with papa in a trip through South America in three weeks, 80 will you please publish my answer before that ‘time, if possible, because Iam greatly troubled? . “JEAN,” We should judge from your letter that the _ young man was only trying to make up his mind, MY QUEEN. ~~. 31 and should advise you not to hurry him or worry him. Let him solve the mystery of love for him- self; then, if he comes to you with an avowal of affection, it will be all the sweeter because it has not been forced. We presume you are young enough to let the question of love rest for a time, and who knows but that you will see some one whom you love better before you are through with your travels? “T thought I would confide in you. I am six- teen years of age, and am supposed by my parents to be a very good, obedient girl, but there are five young men who like me very much, and I return their love. My mother does not dream of anything of that sort. Now, I like one young man the best, but he is peculiar, and we have never conversed much at all. Please advise me what to do to win his affection. | dele” Your letter is so shocking we hardly know how to answer it! You have five lovers now and are angling for another—and you are only six- teen years of age! We should very much like to have the name of your mother so that we could write hera letter and tell her what we think of mothers who do not watch their young daugh- ters. Do you realize, child, what the end will be? Don’t you know that you will be disgraced for life if you go on that way, deceiving your mother and injuring your own character? We wish it were possible to see and talk with you, as youare certainly standing in a most dangerous position, but, as we cannot do this, we implore you to drop the acquaintance of these young men at once and in future be a good girl—one whom every one will be proud of! | “Tam a young married man and I am so dis- gusted with life that I write to you to answer a question for me. Why should I or any man work all day to support a woman who is perfectly well able to work and, at least, help to support her- self? My wife has absoluely nothing to do but take care of the flat, tend to our one baby and eet three meals a day, while I have to work eight hours a day at a lathe, which is very hard work. My wife knows how todo dressmaking beauti- fully and could earn a great deal of money if she tried. Don’t you think that she ought to do it? “Sam 8.” Your letter proves you to be a very hard- hearted man and a thoroughly undeserving hus- band. It is a pity your wife ever married you if she was so capable of earning her own living, and we presume she has regretted her folly a thousand times over. How would you like to ex- change places with your wife fora month? How would you enjoy caring for the baby, cooking three meals day, sweeping, cleaning, washing dishes, mending, and above all, trying to make a pleasant home for such a cold-blooded husband? When your wife has fulfilled the duties of wife, mother, housekeeper, laundress and ‘general utility’? woman for you the least you could do would be to appreciate her. COMIC DOOKS.CO