The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-12-19
Cou-..A,p .. i, should d.


Choosing wife is no such q pulling eniR>
ma as it used to be, before lights of modern
science shone across the nineteenth century
of ours. If you marry an angel and discover
altervard that she is something very far re.
moved from the supernatural, you have only
yourself to thank for il. You may Have read
the dormant existence of those very repellant
tr ITS Of character which broke upon you
like thunderbots, in confirmation of the
pretty head, the shape Of the polished FORE
head, the curve of the stately neck. You
may have seen the fash of temper in her
eyes, the acerbity of her close lips, the iron
will of the square chm. Nature inscribed
her character plainly enough IN the face and
brain, and if you take not the trouble to read
the sign and tokens, why. you have only to
make the best Of the bargain.
Nor do we believe in long courtships. ia
cob must have been most remarkable indi-
vldual not to have got heartily tired of Miss
Rachel long before those fourteen years or
deal had TRANSFERRED and we have no proofs
that Rachel was not waning into confirmed
old maid while Jacob was earning her.
Don't wait to make your fortune, young Low.
eri If you are not rich enough in money,
yon have stores of strength and youth, and
warm fresh love; and with these gone you
would be poor indeed, though you reveled in
the wealth of William B. Aston. A man
never talt in love but once. He has his FAM
cies, hkings, friendships, based on genuine
esteem, but the celestial flame comes only
once in a lifetime. Therefore, il you love .
woman and she is worthy Of your affection,
marry. her, and trust to God and your own
strong arm to bring the world to recognize
the wisdom of your choice.
As for all the current nonsense about Sc
lecting wife, our shrewd opinion is that it
is only nonsense. Fancy u young gentleman
pryng into his inamoratas house before
breakfast to ascertain whether or not her col.
lar is pinned correctly or her hair brushed
geometricaly straight. Picture him de-
scending upon all sorts of certain and uncer-
tain hours to find out whether she had made
bread or played the piano, and If there is any
dust on her centre table. If he has not
judgment enough to make his selection with>
out any such extrsneous aids, we opine that
his intellect can scarcely be CT the very high.
est order.
Yet there are some keen disappointment
in this business OF matrimonial choice. A
man who marries pretty girl under 4 sort of
transitory enchantment, is very apt when the
honey moon is over, to discover that she is
only mortal after all, and considers himself
rather in the light of wronged individual.
The pretty girl, too, begins to see that her
lover is neither more or less than . man; it
is possible that she has her moments of grave
reflection on the subject Thus it requires .
considerable amount of philosophy to survive
the first mont of matrlmony without what
are called " loyers quarrels.' Yet there is
love. enough and broad enough and deep
enough 10 bear up all Imperfections and
Shortcomings on Its restless current. Now
ard then We cha ce on marriage based on
Just sWcn love thus, enion whose links
brighten ms the years go on. and are cement
ed more strongly IN the world "where there
is neither marriage nor giving in marriage.
While there are summer and winter, seed
time and harvest, there will be perpetual
repetition o, the sweet old story of love and
eourtshIp. Il is rs Il should be. Let there
be uo ia>e modesty. no misplaced hesitation
nn ihf .lhl~es sEoG meant his children to
he hapn5 n the sprlng time OF their hives !;
shalt We hihe away the good gifts Of love
and appreciation which He has givenus