Woman 65 Years Wedded Frowns on Short Skirts

From the Brooklyn Standard Union, July 29, 1929 (via www.bklyn-genealogy-info.com):

On the eve of the sixty-fifth anniversary of her marriage, Mrs. Isaac FRANKLIN, of 792 East Twenty-first street, to-day is of the belief that “the quality of contentment is the one most essential to a happy marriage”.

“Most girls expect too much”, Mrs. FRANKLIN said. “Seeing a new hat on the street is no reason for going out and buying one when you can’t afford it. The essential things is to make the best of what you have and be content until you are in a position to get better.”

Living in New York and vicinity for practically the latter half of the last century, both Mr. and Mrs. FRANKLIN have seen many changes, the introduction of gas, and then electris lighting seeming to figure prominently in their minds.

Questioned as to this modern age, Mrs. FRANKLIN expressed both approval and disapproval. She doesn’t approve smoking, drinking and short skirts for girls. But she thinks everyone is much better off nowadays than they used to be. She likes street cars and automobiles and says she would go for a ride in an airplan if an opportunity presented itself.

Mr. FRANKLIN is eighty-nine. He arrived in this country from Germany when eleven and remembers New York when there was little development north of Forty-second street. His wife, who is a year younger, arrived also from Germany, a few years later. Mr. FRANKLIN enlisted in the Fifty-fifth Regimnet for the Civil War, but after a few weeks in camp at Castle Garden was mustered out, as he was not tall enough for service. They were married in 1864. One of the bridesmaids at their wedding is still living.

Mr. FRANKLIN was apprenticed to various trades and finally became a glazier. His first vote was cast for the Democratic party, but later he decided to become a supporter of the Republicans. He believes in prohibition, he says, but thinks it should be fixed somehow so that the workingman could get a glass of good beer and no “two per cent imitations.”

Both Mr. and Mrs. FRANKLIN are in excellent health and receive many visitors. Mr. FRANKLIN takes a delight in playing bridge and pinochie. Mrs. FRANKLIN sews, knits and crochets without the aid of glasses. A week or two ago they attended a wedding and Mr. FRANKLIN took part in several dances.

What poor Mrs. Franklin would think if she saw what passes for short skirts today!

(And she crochets without glasses? I can't even do that!)