CHAPTER II
TO AND FROM PARENTS, GUARDIANS, FRIENDS, ETC., IN REFERENCE TO MARRIAGE MATTERS
=204. Asking a Father for His Daughter's Hand.=
N----, February 19, 19--.
Edward T. Jones, Esq. DEAR SIR:--
I wish to write to you upon a matter in which the happiness of my life is concerned. I have long admired your second daughter, Miss Helen Jones, and trust I am not mistaken in thinking that she is not indifferent to me; indeed, I am confident that, with your permission to do so, I could succeed in winning her affections; but I hesitate to say a word to her on this subject until assured of your sanction to address her. I have even delayed asking for your consent to be accepted as a suitor for your daughter's hand, fearing that you might consider my prospects hardly justify me in taking such a step; but I can wait no longer to declare my sentiments, and to learn what chance there may be for me.
My salary and income together do not amount to more than $1,800 a year, but with what you may be inclined to give your daughter, should her marriage meet with your approval, I have no doubt that with prudence and economy I might be able to make a comfortable home for her.
Hoping you will give this letter your favorable consideration,
Believe me Respectfully yours, HENRY LLOYD.
=205. Answer to the Above (Favorable).=
N----, February 21, 19--.
My Dear Mr. Lloyd:--
I must say that I do not altogether approve of early marriages, or think it right that a young man should rely upon other than his own resources when he contemplates maintaining a wife. However, as my daughter's happiness is my first consideration, and as I find on questioning her that she is evidently attached to you, I shall not oppose your engagement, and will do what I can to enable you to marry; but, in justice to my other children, cannot promise to do much, and $1500 a year is the utmost allowance I can make her. Shall further expect you both to wait at least six months, which at your time of life ought to be and indeed is no hardship; anyway, this is the decision I have arrived at after mature deliberation.
I remain, Yours respectfully, EDWARD T. JONES.
=206. Answer to No. 204 (Unfavorable).=
N----, February 20, 19--.
Henry Lloyd, Esq. DEAR SIR:--
The only part of your letter which afforded me any satisfaction is that wherein you say you have not spoken to my daughter regarding your hopes. I may as well inform you that I am not prepared to make her any allowance on her marriage. What she will receive from me at my death is a question for my future consideration. I do not intend her to marry a man who cannot support her without coming to her father for help, and you will distinctly understand that I beg to decline your proposal for her hand.
Yours obediently, EDWARD T. JONES.
=207. Another Request to a Father for His Daughter's Hand.=
R----, May 24, 19--.
Arthur Brown, Esq. DEAR SIR:--
My frequent calls at your hospitable home during the last three months have doubtless prepared you, to some extent at least, for the request I am about to make. It was my good fortune to meet your daughter Ada, last Christmas eve, at the house of a mutual friend. Since that time, many opportunities of renewing an acquaintance so pleasantly begun have presented themselves, of which I have been delighted to avail myself.
The result of these happy interviews is that admiration and esteem have ripened into love, and I now ask your kind consent to be a suitor for your daughter's hand. I have not taken this step without some reasonable ground for hoping that such a suit would at least be seriously entertained. But I have been trained to regard the rights of parents with such respect, that it would add largely to my delight in this important step of life if I might count on your hearty consent. You have known my family for years, and on that ground, am proud to feel assured that there will be no difficulty whatever. My business position and prospects are such as to assure all the joys and comforts of a happy home, should your daughter do me the honor to share my lot. This matter I should be glad to explain more in detail if you so desire, and to submit a complete statement of my net assets and future resources.
With sincere thanks to Mrs. Brown and yourself, and to all the members of your household, for the many kindnesses received,
I am, dear sir, Yours very respectfully, ALFRED D. JONES.
=208. Answer to the Above.=
R----, May 27, 19--.
My Dear Mr. Jones:--
Your letter has not greatly surprised me. With the spirit of it I am much pleased. Such an important step in life as you contemplate should always be taken thoughtfully, and the hearty consent of the interested families is, in my judgment, greatly to be desired. So far as my daughter Ada is concerned, my one great desire for her is that her life may be as peaceful and happy in the future as it has been in the past. You have my consent to woo, and if wooing you should win, you will win a treasure. I pray God will guide all for the best.
Yours very truly, ARTHUR BROWN.
=209. Asking a Father for His Approval of the Writer's Engagement with His Daughter.=
C----, June 3, 19--.
Henry Longstreet, Esq. DEAR SIR:--
I have been fortunate enough to gain your daughter's affections, and, having spoken to her on the subject of my hopes yesterday, I hasten to ask for your consent to our engagement, trusting earnestly that you will not withhold it. My constant endeavor will be to make her happy, and to prove myself worthy of her choice. Before saying a word to her, I talked the matter over with my father, and he has promised to do all he can to further my wishes, and says he will allow me $1,000 a year from October next, in addition to the salary I now receive, and which amounts to $3,000. Your daughter fully understands my position, and is quite willing to accept the home I can offer her, subject to your approval.
Believe me, Respectfully yours, EDWARD KEANE.
=210. Answer to the Above (Favorable).=
E----, June 5, 19--.
My Dear Mr. Keane:--
If I feel absolutely certain that my daughter's happiness is concerned in obtaining my consent to her engagement with you, I will offer no opposition to it, and shall be glad to receive you at our house as her accepted lover. I sincerely believe that you will, as you say, make her a good husband. Will endeavor to see your father in a day or two, and explain to him what I can afford to do for my daughter.
Faithfully yours, HENRY LONGSTREET.
=211. Answer to No. 209 (Unfavorable).=
E----, June 5, 19--.
Edmund Keane, Esq. DEAR SIR:--
It is my firm opinion that you have been premature in speaking to my daughter as you have done, without previously learning my wishes on the subject. I am very much displeased with her for giving you any encouragement, as she fully understood that it would be contrary to my views were she to do so; however, it obliges me to tell you distinctly that I decline to give my consent to any engagement between you, and am not likely to alter this determination.
Yours obediently, HENRY LONGSTREET.
=212. From a Gentleman, asking for His Father's Approval to His Recent Engagement.=
L----, August 10, 19--.
My Dear Father:--
I am not sure that you will be fully pleased with the contents of this letter. I write to ask your consent to my marriage with Miss Ethel Blake. I anticipate all your objections, but hope your affection for me will induce you to waive them, and that my dear mother will use all her influence with you in my behalf. Need not tell you how good and amiable and charming Miss Blake is; you have seen enough of her in social circles, in C----, to appreciate her many lovable qualities. She will make the best of wives, and your and my dear mother's consent is all I want to complete my happiness.
Believe me, my dear father, Your affectionate son, LEWIS.
=213. Answer to the Above.=
My Dear Lewis:--
B----, August 4, 19--.
In answer to your rather startling communication, must state at once that it is quite out of the question that I should countenance your engagement with Miss Ethel Blake. Have no doubt that she is all you say, and what I have seen of her is quite in her favor, but you must be reminded that you are not in a position to maintain a wife; you have your own way to make in the world, and have no right to suppose that I can allow you sufficient income to marry upon. I should be unjust to your brothers and sisters were I to decide otherwise; and I beg you to understand that you have nothing to expect from me if you persist in your imprudence, which can only be regarded as a boyish infatuation. Your mother sends her love, and says she is sure you will not be so rash and foolish as to act contrary to my wishes.
Believe me, my dear boy, Your true friend and affectionate FATHER.
=214. From a Young Lady to Her Guardian, asking for His Approval of Her Recent Engagement.=
C----, January 17, 19--.
Dear Mr. Andrews:--
Since you called last, I have received a proposal of marriage from Mr. Phillip Thompson, with whom you are slightly acquainted. He is very much attached to me, and I have a great esteem and regard for him; so much so, that I have told him I would endeavor to obtain your consent to our engagement, and I trust you will see no reason for withholding it. Mr. Thompson says he would be very pleased to explain his position and prospects fully to you if you allow him the opportunity, and he hopes that you will find both satisfactory. I thoroughly understand the importance of the step I wish to take, but as my future happiness is so deeply concerned in this matter, my earnest wish is that you will return a favorable answer.
With all kind regards, believe me,
Dear Mr. Andrews, Very sincerely yours, GERTRUDE MAYWOOD.
=215. Answer to the Above.=
S----, January 10, 19--.
My Dear Miss Maywood:--
I am going to disappoint you greatly by stating that Mr. Phillip Thompson would not be a desirable husband for you. Am sorry that you should have allowed matters to go as far as they have, as I understand from your letter that you almost accepted him. However, I have your interest too much at heart to give my consent to a marriage which would not ultimately be for your happiness, and you are possessed of too much good sense to act contrary to my opinion. In my responsible position as your guardian, I must advise you to the best of my judgment in what affects your welfare; and, disagreeable as it is to me to oppose your wishes, I feel it my duty to give you my firm opinion on this serious subject.
If you desire it, I will myself communicate with Mr. Thompson.
Believe me, as ever, dear Miss Maywood, Your sincere friend and guardian, ALFRED B. ANDREWS.
=216. From a Father to a Gentleman who has paid Marked Attentions to His Daughter Requesting to Know His Intentions.=
G----, April 17, 19--.
DEAR SIR:--
I consider it my duty to ask you frankly what are your intentions towards my daughter. Your manner toward her has evidently awakened a deep interest in her affectionate heart. She has been too well brought up to think of bestowing her love where it was not properly and fully appreciated and returned, and I cannot allow her happiness to be trifled with; therefore hope that you will see the propriety of at once putting an end to a position embarrassing to her as it is painful to me.
Awaiting your answer, believe me, Yours very truly, ADOLPHUS REDDING.
=217. Answer to the Above.=
G----, April 19, 19--.
DEAR SIR:--
I was greatly surprised at the receipt of your letter, and can only hope you are mistaken in supposing your daughter to be interested in me. I flatter myself that she regards me as a friend, and as such have a sincere admiration and esteem for her; but it is my duty to say that I entertain no feeling of love towards her, and that I have only paid her such attentions as are due from a gentleman to a lady in whose society he is frequently thrown. Under these circumstances, I conclude you would wish me to discontinue my visits at your house and I shall do so with much regret. With the kindest remembrance of the hospitality I have there received and with compliments to Mrs. Redding,
Believe me, Very truly yours, ALFRED S. BAKER.
=218. From a Father to a Gentleman, forbidding Him to Pay any further Attentions to His Daughter.=
C----, January 10, 19--.
DEAR SIR:--
Permit me to say that your attentions to my daughter have become so marked of late, that I wish them discontinued. I do not approve of you as a suitor for her hand, simply on the ground of your pecuniary position; and consider that you have not been acting fairly in endeavoring to gain her affections, not being in a position to make a comfortable home for her. I have my daughter's promise that she will neither write to you nor see you without my consent. Relying upon your honor to respect my wishes, and not to attempt any further communication with her.
I remain, Yours truly, THOMAS D. CURRAN.
=219. Answer to the Above.=
C----, January 11, 19--.
DEAR SIR:--
I felt much pained surprise when reading your letter, just delivered, as from the encouragement I have received to visit at your house and from the manner in which I have been allowed to devote myself to your daughter in public, at balls and parties and in society generally, I was under the impression that Mrs. Curran and yourself tacitly approved of my attentions to her.
It would have been kinder had you thought proper to signify your disapproval six months ago, as my conduct must have been as patent to you as to every one else. However, as your daughter acquiesces in your views, I have nothing more to add beyond this, that I will respect your wishes, and beg to remain,
Yours faithfully, ARTHUR HATFIELD.
=220. From the Father of a Young Lady to the Father of a Young Gentleman, disapproving of the latter's Attentions to Writer's Daughter.=
P----, June 14, 19--.
DEAR SIR:--
I am sorry to have to write to you on a somewhat delicate subject; the fact is, your son has been paying my daughter Alice considerably more attention than I think desirable, and a word from you would no doubt put a stop to the matter. He has been on such a friendly footing with my family that I did not apprehend that anything like a serious attachment was likely to spring up between your son and either of my daughters; however, from what I gather, such is the case.
I am sure you will agree with me that a marriage between my daughter Alice and your boy would be most imprudent, if not altogether impossible. I take for granted that he cannot look to you for an allowance upon which to support a wife, while I am certainly not in a position to do anything for my daughter; under these circumstances, perhaps the best thing would be for the young people to discontinue meeting for the present.
Were your son of age, I should take a different course with him; as it is, I leave it to you to bring him to reason; should he be so foolish as to persist, I shall make it a point that my daughter understands that she is not to encourage him in his attentions. Counting upon your kind and wise consideration of the matter,
I remain, Yours faithfully, WALTER HUBBARD.
=221. From a Mother Announcing her Daughter's Engagement.=
T----, May 22, 19--.
My Dear Mrs. Winslow:--
I feel certain you will be pleased to hear that darling Mary is engaged to be married to Mr. Sanford; he is the son of a very old friend of ours, and everything we could wish as a son-in-law. It is delightful to see how happy the young people are in each other's society; he is as devoted to her as she is fond of him. Had it not been so, in spite of our liking the young man so much, I doubt if we should have given our consent, as at present his prospects are not very good, and they will have to wait till next year before thinking of being married: thus you see it is not yet a matter for congratulations, but I did not wish you to hear the news from any one but me.
Believe me, dear Mrs. Winslow, with kind regards from my husband and myself,
Very sincerely yours, HARRIET SANDERSON.
=222. Answer to the Above.=
B----, June 1, 19--.
My Dear Mrs. Sanderson:--
We are all delighted to hear of your daughter's engagement and sincerely wish her every happiness; please tell her so with my love. It must be a great source of pleasure to you to know that she is going to make so satisfactory a marriage, one of which you and her father so highly approve. I shall hope to become acquainted with your future son-in-law at an early opportunity, and you must tell me when the wedding is to take place, as should I not be in town at that time, I might yet embody my good wishes in the form of a suitable souvenir.
With kind remembrances to all,
Sincerely yours, MARGARET DEAN WINSLOW.
=223. From a Young Lady to a Girl Friend, Announcing Her Engagement.=
T----, May 22, 19--.
My Dearest Girl:--
I know you'll be delighted to hear the good news I have to tell you about myself: I am engaged to be married to Mr. Edward Lloyd, whom I mentioned so often lately in my letters to you. I was not very much surprised at his proposing, as I fancied he liked me, from his constant attentions. You can imagine how happy I am; he is everything one would wish one's lover to be. I am sure you will think he is handsome. I do, of course, and every one says he is very clever. He is five years older than I am, which mamma thinks is an advantage. I hope you will be one of my bridesmaids, dear Madge; we are to be married very soon. He has taken a nice house, and you must be one of our first visitors. Papa and mamma are delighted at my prospects, and think Edward will make me the best of husbands.
With warmest love, believe me,
Your ever affectionate, FANNY SANDERSON.
=224. From a Young Lady, Congratulating a Girl Friend on Her Engagement.=
H----, June 3, 19--.
My Dear Fanny:--
How pleased I was to hear of your engagement. I want to be among the first to offer you the warmest congratulations. Do tell me a good deal more about your fiancé, and whether it is to be a long engagement. I need not ask if you are very happy, as I am sure you would not have accepted any one to whom you were not sincerely attached. You will doubtless have to answer a great many letters from friends and relatives, all desirous of wishing you joy, but still I hope you will find time to write me a few lines soon.
With kindest love,
Yours most affectionately, MADGE RICHARDSON.
=225. From a Gentleman Announcing His Engagement.=
Canadian Club,
T----, May 22, 19--.
My Dear Fawcett:--
I wonder if you will be surprised to hear that I am going to be married, and that I shall want your services on the occasion as best man, but I will give you due notice when the day is fixed. In the meantime, you may, if you please, congratulate me, as I consider myself to be a very lucky fellow. She is one of the nicest girls in the world--Fanny Sanderson. Didn't you meet her at the last Country Club golf tournament? I get on very well with her people, and my future father-in-law is inclined to be very liberal about money matters. So, you see, it's an all-around delightful affair.
Yours ever, EDWARD LLOYD.
=226. To a Young Lady, from the Mother of Her Fiancé.=
N----, December 20, 19--.
My Dear Marion:--
My son Phillip has suggested that I write you a few lines, and, although we had not the pleasure of meeting each other, yet from all he says I feel sure that he has chosen wisely. He has always been the best of sons to me--so affectionate, tender-hearted, and considerate; and you will understand something of the pride I feel in him, and how dearly I love him, and how anxious I am that the one who is to be his wife should value him at his true worth. It would be a great pleasure to me if your parents would allow you to pay me a little visit, as I much wish to make the acquaintance of my future daughter-in-law.
My son has shown me your photograph, so I have some idea as to what you look like. He tells me how charming you are, and that he is certain I shall not be disappointed when we meet. Dear Marion, my boy's happiness is in your keeping, and I trust and pray you may be to him all his fond mother could wish.
With kind love, I remain,
Your affectionate SUSAN DEERING.
=227. Answer to the Above.=
P----, December 22, 19--.
My Dear Mrs. Deering:--
It was most kind of you to write to me. I cannot help feeling a little shy in answering your letter, but trust we shall not long remain strangers to each other. Phillip has often talked of you, and is so anxious that we should meet; but I am sorry to say mamma cannot spare me just now, otherwise I should have been very pleased to have accepted your kind invitation. I quite appreciate all that you say in praise of your son, and think I love him almost as much as even a mother could wish, and indeed you may trust me to do all in my power to make him happy. Thanking you again for your kind letter, believe me,
Affectionately yours, MARION WHITE.
=228. From a Gentleman Congratulating a Friend on His Coming Marriage.=
M----, July 14, 19--.
My Dear Swift:--
I just received your kind invitation to attend your wedding on the 20th of August. I am greatly delighted, but not much surprised to receive this invitation. I have had my suspicions for some time that you were growing weary of a bachelor's lonely miserable life. One by one, you genial fellows are passing over to the realm of the married, and very soon I alone shall be left to tell the sad story.
Well, I congratulate you with all my heart. You have had a successful career; you have earned honor and competence in the battle of life, and now you have won the "dearest girl in the world." God bless you, old fellow, and make all your coming days bright and prosperous.
You may depend on my putting in an appearance on the 20th of August. If the train fails, or the tires of my "bike" give out, the walking will no doubt be good.
Ever, dear Swift, Yours truly, JAMES T. LORD.
=229. From a Fiancée Asking a Young Lady to be Her Bridesmaid.=
A----, June 10, 19--.
My Dear Miss Rice:--
My marriage with Mr. Langdon is to take place on the 15th of next month, and I write to say it would give me much pleasure if you would be one of my bridesmaids. I thought of having eight--my two sisters of course, Mr. Langdon's sister and a cousin of his, the two Misses Whetherby, yourself if you will consent, and Miss Mordaunt.
We have not yet decided about the dresses, but I will let you know what we settle upon as soon as I have your answer. We expect Miss Langdon here to-morrow to talk the matter over with us.
With love to yourself and kind regards to Mrs. Rice, believe me,
Very sincerely yours, SYLVIA MARSDEN.