The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-23
, NInY mud December.

This has happened 50 often that
we should not say that it was "Cnce"
upon time, II It were not that this partl-
cnlar case did only happen once. The old
man married the young woman but once;
and he wonld not have done this second
time. even II he had million Opportuni-
ties. He was fond, and she was fair. His
was high official position, and hers was an
humble station In the social scale. But she
was comely, bright. virtuous, and we'll
hammered. These are rare traits to offset
the education, fame, and official honor which
the old man brought into the partnership.
That she had not demeaned herself by
working for her living all sensible people
truly said. And he showed good Judgment
in wedding the woman OF bis choice, with.
out reference to the difference In their social |
status. He had brushed aside the flimsy |
barriers which a false condition OF society |
would bsve placed between them. Theirs |
was not exactly woOing OF the King and
Cophetua, for we have neither Kings nor
Copbeluas in this happy land. But it was,
as everybody said, a happy union OF two
loving hearts, albeit one was fresh with
lies Young spring and the other was
closing under the chilly influences OF the
autumn OF the year. Nevertheless it was
a nretty sight, and women looked on
with tender and fearful interest as
the aged bridegroom vowed TO love
and cherish, while she, blushing celestial
rosy red, vowed TO love, honor, and obey.
Many a bigh-bred damsel who looked yainly
from her easement for him who came not
enyjed the modest maiden who gave her
hand TO the great mau, and thus took the
right TO call him by one OF the dearest
names on earth. There was gush OF sentl'
ment when the happy, happy pair drove
away in their coach-and-four; and society,
for days thereafter, was aeitated with DIS
cussions OF the delightful affair. II was 90
romantic, so out OF the common course
Of things, and so altogether very nice.
Winged thoughts pursued them on their
wedding Journey, and many feminine
imagination pictured them in their bower
of welded blss-in q first-class hotel she
sU clipgIng tenderness and reverent afec-
tion. and he all chiyalric devotion. Other
old men looked on coyetously, and said,
under their breath, "Lucky dog"; and
many maid left like an ungafhered rose,
wrung her hands, and, with Desdemona,
wished that Heaven had made her such a
man. SO all went merry as a marriage bell,
for only marriage bells are merry.
In time, when people had wellnigh for
ootten This wonderful social event, there
came forth dark rumors Of disagreement
and ianylipg IN the home of May and De-
lcember. He loved the domestic fireside, as
old men do. He dozed over his newspaper,
or slumbered noisily with bis bandkelc CHIEF
over his head, while she fretted and pouted,
unadmired and neglected. Would she go
out into the bright sunshine and open the
metals OF her sweet young life In the sun
rovsp He would rather stay indoors and
| -hnnK>
and political correspondence. Then he
crew Jealous, for he rightly thought that @
youno woman, though a wife, might readily
he attracted by young mans wins0me
face. when the old mans face was often
cIouded. 1t was not in human nature FOL
bright and charming young woman to ex
, tinoIiisb her light and sit down in the twl
, Ii0hf of the aged. So they quarrelled-
, Violently. eyen-aud some gossips went sc
FAR as TO saw that he lost his temper ant
ninched her black and blue. For the honol
nf the much.abused male sex, let us be
lieye that this part OF the story Is no
s true. But they did actually sepa
e rate. After months Of unbappines
and pickering she fulfilled that awin
= threat of many another married woman
, and went home 10 her mother. Ihen th'
possios wagged their heads, and SAID, :"
told YOU so.o She said that she had borne
his harsbness, tyranny, and upreasonaD'
jealousy long enough. He said that sn'
S was giddy, frivolous thing, running alte
s wild Young blades, and no ht mate ior
a sober and dignified middle-aeed gentleman
p. Curieusly enough, none OF these renectioh
seem TO have dropped into the mlnds o
ei,ber before they were married. They bot
p had thought that they would be the first oil
} husband and young wife who should llv
e happily together. They had left nature Oh
If OF their calculations.
!, Tbis is an old story, as old as the time
solomon. Men have fooled themselves Il
this sad fashion ever since the world began
And the unsympatheiic part OF mankin
has ever remarked OF the deluded one, ="
serves him right" Somehow, most peopl
make no allowance for the delusions OF age
The old man who marries a young vii
honestly thinks that be Will be fond an
0 devoted husband, and that she VIII 0
a faithful wife. They both agree that tn
is possible OF them. And II she Is dsZzle
er by his high public and social position, Sd
- ,s doubly sure that her great reverence WI
hefbe guardian OF their coniugal love. III
!h even great men may he mean. Acertain hig
and mighty American senator, now D. NOR
was wont TO show wriDkled front VINE
r his young vile wore PINK Iiuoops III ~
hair. or called him by his Christian nam
So when May shiyered in the. arms OF u
cember, and be pinched her las they do So
black and blue, the riches and honor wm'
he had brought into her life were gon
What Is 1t TO the lair young wife fbat n
husband Is famous or bonOred by the wor
II he "nags" her at home, keeps her III
10 the leg Of bis library table, ana Q
he casionally lays his hand IN yioien
upon herr She might have known p'
ter. He might have known better. foui
he though she was when she married him.
on must have heard it said that there
no fool like an old fool. And ne ougnt
have had sense enough to know that M
rs yerging on tbreescore years and Ten Is
fitting mate for young girl. we Dc
oi much nowadays Of that incompatlDiiity
ms taste and temper which riyes the Maria
- bond. But there Is no incompatipiil
"s like that which nature has placed
' ltwixt youth and age. the mtu
: man. far this side OF senility, inwai
. IL frets to see his son, lnst Dndd'
Z into manhood, thirsty for the plcasul
g which be finds In gay society. He signs
a. think that his golden haired boy has gio'
,oi away from bis side, and does not nnd
'' highest happiness by bis fathers knee.
,.ov even regard with pang OF Jealousy