“Since then I have corresponded with him and have met him in the city a number of times, and had luncheon with him. Now he wants me to go to the theatre with him some evening and spend the night at his boarding-place. “I have met his landlady and she is simply lovely and I know she will see that I come to no harm. But would I be doing wrong to accept the invitation? “Some of my girl friends say that I could not do worse, and some of them say that it is no worse to spend the night in the city than to spend the entire day—as I have done, several times. “Won’t you please advise me, as I am only nineteen years old and realize that I can’t judge for myself. “Isabel F. A.” We cannot quite understand your letter, Isabel. In all our experience we have never heard of anything so extraordinary! If the young man you speak of was living at home with his mother and sisters, and it was their invitation we could find no fault with your staying under the same roof with your friend, but the idea of your staying at his boarding-house is beyond the bounds of respectability, and in spite of her smiles, no one would think worse of you than his landlady. The manner in which you met this young man is thoroughly unconventional. Be careful that your acquaintance with him does not terminate disastrously. You speak very truly when you say you “cannot judge for yourself,” but at nineteen years of age you should show more wisdom and discretion. We are inclined to be suspicious of this young man’s motives; but a girl who allows herself to be “picked up” at a continuous performance, as the saying is, can hardly expect to be treated any differently. You had better discontinue this acquaintance if you do not wish trouble. “Do you object to advising a young man, Miss Shirley? I am nineteen years old and am engaged to be married. The girl I love is very large and stout, she weighs nearly 200. I weigh only 138, and that is what is the matter. Don’t you think I would be foolish to marry such a big girl, even if I do love her? What in the world would I do if she should grow any bigger? I’d look foolish and feel foolish every time I went out with her. Of course, I want to do what is right. I know she’d never get another fellow because of her size. Do you think I ought to marry her and be a martyr? “James L.” No, James, we do not advise you to play the “martyr,” but it is not altogether because of your sweetheart’s size, but because we are confident that you do not love her. Why, James, if you really loved her, you would be delighted to think there was so much of her! We are sorry for the girl, but we do not agree with you that she will never have another lover. We feel sure that some noble, honest fellow will fall in love with her some day and be more than glad to marry her in spite of her superfluous adipose tissue. We fancy your soul is about as small as your body. At any rate, you are sadly lacking in moral courage.