“I have a very serious question to ask you, dear Miss Shirley, it is this: Can a girl love two men and love them both sincerely? I have never heard of any one doing it, but I confess that this is exactly my predicament. I love two young men and could be happy with either of them. Do you think it better not to marry either, or would it be safe for me to marry the first one that asks me? I feel sure that they will both propose before long.
“Nina B.”
Your question does not impress us as being very serious. If you are so general in your affection you might toss up a cent to see which you should marry. Apparently you are easily pleased in the matter of a husband. For the sake of the young men, however, we trust you will not marry either one. If they are honest young men they each deserve a good wife, one who will love them and them alone, with true, loyal affection.
“The girls in the school that I attend all enjoy athletics, and we recently organized a football team. We wear a suit with trousers like the boys wear for the game with a short skirt over them that reaches almost to our knees. No one found any fault with our fun until this week when several of the more strait-laced people in the town complained to some of our parents that they thought it was immodest for us to go through the streets to the grounds where we play wearing our costume. Won’t you let me know what you think about it?
“Etta W.”
Dr. Mary Walker has worn trousers for years, and she is a very estimable woman, still we have never heard of her playing football. It does not seem to us to be objectionable at all, for trousers and short skirts are certainly very convenient and healthful. You did not say how old the girls in your school are, but if they are over sixteen we would certainly advise them to give up football. There are many other games just as healthful, and far more graceful. I hope you girls have not been trying to kick the knobs off of the gate posts as you went to and from your play. Girls who imitate boys are sometimes given to these pranks, and in that event we do not blame the natives for complaining.
“This seems almost a foolish subject for me to write to you about, Miss Shirley, but I hope you will find time to answer me. The young man whom I am engaged to simply hates pet animals. Now, I have a pet cat that I raised from a wee little kitten, and I love her and all animals dearly. Frank is always teasing her and grumbling if I pet her. I have been wondering if a man with this disposition would make a good husband. It seems absurd sometimes even to me to think it would make any difference in our married life, but I have thought about this one trait of his so much that I want to hear what your opinion is.