San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1878-10-19
Proposals Of Marriage.

It does not require a formal asking OF
the momentous question to constitute
an offer of marriage. Probably the ma
jority of SWANS do not say in so many
words, evil you be my wifeP" The
sweet pact between the lovers is often
made more in the language of the eyes
and of the actions than in that of artic.
sulate speech. ~ 81. =, ,'',.,..,. ,........ o.
The moment is fitting, the surround
ings are suspicious, and the hearts Of
the pair beat in unison as their chances
meet, when all at once they stand re-
vealed to one another as lover and be-
loved. They have no need to ask ques-
tions at that time of supreme elevation,
for they know all they wish to know
without. such inquiries, and spoken
words or words which had. been pre-
meditated, would seem out of time,
harsh, coarse, grating, and utterly in
adequate to express the delicious tumult
Of their souls, The man may have
spent days and nights beforehand in
constructing and polishing up hand
some declaration, yet when the hour
comes it strikes him unexpectedly, and
he either stammers, out words which
would be unintelligible to any other
nearer than his fair companion, or he
only looks what he has 70 say, and gets
his answer in an averted and blushing
face, tinid glance, or soft pressure
Of the hand. After it is all done he cares
not a whit about the ways through
which the happy end was reached; he
has won,, and that is enough. .,a.iy,
Is s0f course there is such a. thing AS o
formal proposal of marriage, and there
are men who make it with all the de-
liberation they would use if they We're
transacting any other important piece
of business. But such men, though they
be very estimable individuals, and de-
serve the best of wives to be had, do not
make the sort of lovers which most wo-
men prefer. A little. precipitation, even
degree of audacity, and manifest de-
termination to succeed by mere force of
will, are usually more apt to conquer
than studied argument. 1t can not be
denied, however, that cool head is Of
ten times a great help TO II lover at the
moment of offering HIMSELF but he
must take care not to exhibit his self
poise too conspicuously, and must APP
proach the great subject with a manner
of humility, rather than that of q man
who is merely concluding bargain he
can easily make or which has been
openly offered him.
But,-.howeyer people may become
engaged, they are pretty slre after the
troth has been plighted to get frequent
assurances from one another of indy
ing devotion, and SO to have no doubt
left in their minds abou: the fact. The
engagement ring, too, settles that BUSH
ness finally, and both the pair should
be ready TO let the betroihal be al once
made known to all who have a right to
hear of it. 1t is better for them both
that they should so act, for secret en-
gagements are usually silly or danger
Gus; and it is a very grave matter for q
man to ask q woman 10 be his wife, not
a thing for any one 10 do for mere pas
time, without thought of the
consequences. Moreover, the proper
thing Tor an honorable lover who is fair
. " treated by the girls family, is 10 ask
the old gentleman's permission to be
received as his future son-in-law, and
then to make himself generally ayreea-
bic in the household. Ii isa great mis-
take to ignore the rights and feelings Of