The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-03
SPRiNGTIME AND MATRIMONf.
Bnecessful I~ndianapolitans Who Have Mar
ried-The Silent Few Who Have Not.

It's about time to announce for the informa-
ton of the thoughtless public that, although a
little late, the gentle Annie season is here.
There are some sentimental souls who have
doubtless observed this and have given 1t some
thought. The editorial waste basket . and the
society column of the newspaper give conclusive
proof that it has been vigorously considered in
the old way, sentimentally and practically, with
n combilation of both, and that while the "gen-
fae Annie poetaster's divine ~affiatus is waiting
is sweetness into the paper-mills, where at
least something can be made of it, the gentle
Annie swain is proceeding in a common course
which leads on to results of a perpetual char
xc4er.
The season is, therefore, an occasion for re-
Ascaicn and speculation on the ever-popular
q~uostion of m~atrimony. There is a tradition,
- may be mentioned in this connection, that the
ws<d popular" had it's origin, somewhat re-
rnukely, in conjunction with the term matri-
sEnony, which. in primitive days. was called ito
pap the question" There may be some learned
pkaologists who will not believe this to DE the
etymology of popular, but they are confronted
VIII the undeniable argument that there is
nOkhing to which the true definition of the word
f1pSDularp more fttingly applies than the old
RnA ever-new custom known as popping the
question" and the writer is assured that all
wong ladies loyal to the cause will sustain the
tnaition. There are some young men who
nsssr pop the question: because their mathe-
RaHical calculations indicate a preponderance of
unnaswerable arguments against the scheme.
Thsir calculations are all wrong, if there is any
a A-L TA.,-~n1 @~,&H 1nnh-
srs researches has produced.
The prominent and successful men in Indian
HpaRs, to the average number of more than 80
Per cent, married early in life. Thomas A..
Headricks married when he was twenty-slx
years old, and it is believed to have come about
as GEAR making him Vice -president as any other
omB thing that ever happened to him. Ex-Sen-
mtng Mcdonald was first married when he was
twenty-five years ole. Ex-Governor Porter was
tHsnty.three years old when he was first mar
Tia5L Senator Harrison was Just out of college
am only twenty. Governor Gray was quite
yong. With but one or two exceptions none OF
atsEse gentlemen were in better condition fnan-
ciazy than the average young man generally is
at she time of life at which they mar
risA Most of the wealthiest business
mra who have accumulated fortunes by their
own industry married when they were young,
ana poor. w. c. DePauw and William III. En-
giisn, believed to be the richest men in Indiana,
O~AA NNllJ III lALG Nhh b1C
wexith afterwards. V. Il. Malott, the banker
ant capitalist. who has worked up from a clerk
ship, married when he was twenty-four. AL
ths1gh the preponderance of the evidence goes
toIhow that the young man who marries has
m advantage, there is no reason for those un-
f0rsnnate beings who are doomed to go through
fbs world in a state of single cussedness to
wholly despair. There are some illustrious ex-
aIxples Of the possibility of living to a mellow
old age, with some degree Of satisfaction, with
ous knowing anything about conpubial joys and
vezations. The venerable Simon Yandes
ana ex-Mayor John Caven, who happen to
liya in the same building, have had no
experience in the world of matrimony. Mr..
lAades preferred the society of his books and
8z Caven entered upon a career of bachelor
he'd simply rs an experiment. Mr.. w. p. Gal
aEp, the banker, is n bachelor as n result of
persistent obstinacy. He has been tempted, but
wish the heroic fidelity of q man who dies for a
pr0eiple; he has made himself a martyr to cell
barry. James III. Rice, the Auditor of State, is a
bsshelor because he forgot to marry when he
WIS young and now he's too old.
Dr Waterman could never get a wife
bssause he had an ideal. Judge Norton
is sfraid to marry. because he has seen so much
of divorce proceedings that he regards it as the
inevitable result Of matrimony. Romeo John
sos has always intended to marry, but it's all
owing to circumstances over which he has no
c0ntrol. George Porter thinks that celibacy is
tbs only safe system. 1t is quite clear, however,
thA& those gentlemen are in the wrong, although
fAgy will probably never find it ont. ever if
spring should come three times a year.