IS MARRIAGE A LOTTERY?
"I AM afraid to marry," said a young lady, half jesting and half in earnest, replying to something a friend had said.
"Why so, Ella?" asked one of the company, who had thus far chosen rather to listen than join in the conversation of half a dozen gay young girls. She was a quiet, matronly-looking individual, some few years past the prime of life.
"For fear of being unhappy, Mrs. Harding," replied the first speaker.
"What an idea!" exclaimed a gay damsel, laughing aloud at the singular fear expressed by Ella. "For my part, I never expect to be happy until I am married."
"If marriage should make you any happier than you are now, Caroline, the result will be very fortunate. Your case will form an exception to the rule."
"Oh, no, Ella, don't say that," spoke up the one who had replied to her first remark. "Happiness is the rule, and unhappiness the exception."
"Then it happens strangely enough," returned Ella, smiling, "that we are more familiar with the exceptions than the rule."
"No, my dear, that cannot for a moment be admitted. Far more of happiness than misery results from marriage."