et every young man
beware and keep his body clean and pure. His future happiness largely
depends upon his chastity while a single man.

* * * * *

{140}

Old Maids.

[Illustration: "WE SHALL NEVER MARRY."]

1. MODERN ORIGIN.--The prejudice which certainly still exists in the
average mind against unmarried women must be of comparatively modern
origin. From the earliest ages, in ancient Greece, and Rome particularly,
the highest {141} honors were paid them. They were the ministers of the old
religions, and regarded with superstitious awe.

2. MATRIMONY.--Since the reformation, especially during the last century,
and in our own land, matrimony has been so much esteemed, notably by women,
that it has come to be regarded as in some sort discreditable for them to
remain single. Old maids are mentioned on every hand with mingled pity and
disdain, arising no doubt from the belief, conscious or unconscious, that
they would not be what they are if they could help it. Few persons have a
good word for them as a class. We are constantly hearing of lovely maidens,
charming wives, buxom widows, but almost never of attractive old maids.

3. DISCARDING PREJUDICE.--The real old maid is like any other woman. She
has faults necessarily, though not those commonly conceived of. She is
often plump, pretty, amiable, interesting, intellectual, cultured,
warm-hearted, benevolent, and has ardent friends of both sexes. These
constantly wonder why she has not married, for they feel that she must have
had many opportunities. Some of them may know why; she may have made them
her confidantes. She usually has a sentimental, romantic, frequently a sad
and pathetic past, of which she does not speak unless in the sacredness of
intimacy.

4. NOT QUARRELSOME.--She is not dissatisfied, querulous nor envious. On the
contrary, she is, for the most part, singularly content, patient and
serene,--more so than many wives who have household duties and domestic
cares to tire and trouble them.

5. REMAIN SINGLE FROM NECESSITY.--It is a stupid, as well as a heinous
mistake, that women who remain single do so from necessity. Almost any
woman can get a husband if she is so minded, as daily observation attests.
When we see the multitudes of wives who have no visible signs of
matrimonial recommendation, why should we think that old maids have been
totally neglected? We may meet those who do not look inviting. But we meet
any num