, 1880-02-08
OLD MEN, AND MARRIAGE.

/ 1uEle See1nS 10 De an un10unQed pre1udlc
In the community against old men, whic
manifestsit itself most violently when old me-
manifest disposition to marry. They ar
Immediately assailed upon all sides with th
cheerful declaration that there Is no fool lik
an old fool. It is unanimously assumed, first
that he has no right to marry; second, tha
he has no need Of marriage; third, that Il,
should turn his entire attention to the affair
OF the other world instead Of the MARTA
state; fourth, that it Is sufficient evidence TO,
application for writ de lu1tatico 37lq1tt
Tc1edo; fifth, that he is the victim Of infatua
ton; sixth, that the cunning fowler has caught
him in her snares with the Intention of de-
monetizing his children; and thus we might
60 OH numerically to the end Of the catalos.
The lady who has the courage to unite her
self to senlllty runs similar gauntlet. Some
Of her friends are reminded Of May and De-
cember. Some think she is bold, hortid
thing. Others, for the life of them, can't
comprehend what she sees In that dreadful
old granny. Her next-door nefghbor won
ders If she will enjoy herself tucking him
up nights and mixing his cruel, while the
children Of the happy old gentleman hate
ingenious in discovering methods Of annoy
ance
The marriage of Charles O'Conor, the en-
1nent lawyer, and Mrs. Hicks, the eminent
ensnarer Of old gentlemen, is case In point.
Rumor and gossip have been busy with them
ever since it was announced, and all sorts of
theories have been propounded to account
for what is called an il-assorted alliance.
And why ilEassorted Alr. O'Conor is uni
vesa1ly conceded to stand very near II not
at The head Of the American Bar. That is
proos of hts mental ability. He has recently
gone through an illness that would have
killed any ordinary man, and defed the
doctors and Death, even when the former had
handed him over to the latter. That is proof
the old gentleman has good constitution
and splendid physical power. He has re-
Gently put upon record the belief that the
Democratic party is past any hope Of re-
turning common sense. That is proof of his
good Judgment and close observation. He is
very wealthy: That is proof he knows how
to take care Of his money. He has married
very smart and very handsome woman.
That isproof Of his good taste. He knew
Mrs. hicks past LIE, for her record has been
very generously bruited abroad In the news !
papers. That is proof he has mot been en- |
trapped Why should he not marry her?
And why, on the other hand, should not !
Mrs. Hfcks marry Mr.. O'Conor? She ia mt
entering upon new and untried course q, |
lie, to be doomed to unhappiness and dis
appointment. Though still in her prime.
md not out Of her fortles, she has had seni1e
experience. Her first husband was an old
nan, and there Is nothing to show that he was
lot happy old man, or that she was not A
lappy young woman. Her second husband
lr: Lord was an old man, and, not
outstanding the calummy that was
eaped~ upon her head, and the ah.
urd stories that were circulated. there
; nothing to show that the late nrr
ord was not happy man during tbs brjef
lme he had the pleasure to sojourn with her
that she did not manage his affairs v;th
Eli and judgment. And, now that she has
'arried third old man, who even nov ia
orth regiment of average young man
ave We not the right to assume that tha.,
III be as happy as any two young peon1a {
no commence Life as gossa1ner and rafn~
'Wa without any OF that know1eden nac- :