The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-15
A "BUNNY"-"BABY" LESSON.


will, when separated, continue to communi-
cate that thought to each other in all its
myriad forms. Rules constructed for politi-
clans cannot be made to fit lovers, and while
the latter may be conscious of the perils in
volved in letter writing, they will persist in
| penning assurances of eternal devotion to the
beloved object. Indeed, the man in that
state of mind when the inditing of an epistle
known as a love-letter is possible is not in a
condition to properly consider consequences
1t is too much to say that he is not response
BILE for his words and acts, for juries and courts
have decided differently; but he is certainly
not in that calm attitude of self poise which
becomes one who would avoid troublesome
entangements. Nevertheless the frequent
occurrence of breach of promise suits with
their attendant horrors, among which may be
included damages, must have and have had an
effect upon the most ardent lovers Not
sufficient caution is produced by contempla-
ton of these cases to bring about cessation
of amorous correspondence, but merely enough
to create desire for some safe means Of COM
munication. This feeling evidently influenced
Mr.. Arbuckle and led to that crude effort at
Disgusting his sentiments and thoughts under
initials from all but the one to whom the let
ters were addressed and whom love should
make the interpreter. The swiftness with
which the public translated those chs"
and ks" and ok M as" shows
that language universal than
Volapuk can ever become cannot be concealed
from the profane eye under so transparent
veil. A more elaborate cipher is needed but
the trouble with the cipher system is that, in
order to insure privacy, each couple must
devise one of its own, else plain English-if
emotional utterances can be called plain-nav
as well be used. The various improved modes
of conveying intelligence to persons at dis
lance have been in turn seized by fond lovers
as devices for their benefit, and have as often
proved unsatisfactory. The telegraph, for
instance, promised well, but was soon rejected
save in cases of great emergency. Love that
is love scars and expands, and cannot we'll be
condensed into a ten twenty word limit;
besides, what lover can express himself freely
before the cold, commercial eye of Mr.. Jay |
Gould's clerk while he reckons up the cost? |
The telephone has been equally disappointing. |
Instead of being safe conduct for tender con- |
fdences, there is always the Central" as a |
possible auditor and the eyerpresent danger
that crossed wires may convey the language of
endearment into strange and vulgar ears. An
untried invention is the new photograph, but
it has already been mentioned as desirable
instrument for lovers use. While it has some
advantages a moments thought will convince
anyone that objections to it will greatly out
weigh even those involved in letter writing
The phonograpb, as described by those familiar
with it, is a machine which records on a
wax sheet all language addressed to it and
afterwards repeats the same precisely as it
spoken. The qualification and enjoyment
of one who receives one of these sheets and
on attaching it to machine listens, not
only to imprisoned sentiments, but to the
very voice and infections in which they were
originally uttered, must be immeasurably
greater than the joy which accompanies the
ended here the problem of safety would be
solved, but, unfortunately, that wax sheet is
not talked out with one turn of the
crank, but is capable of many repeti-
tons. Naturally, it is not more likely to
be destroyed than the fatal and tell-tale letter,
and is quite as likely to turn up in court, and
with even more disastrous results The effect
upon a sensitive and sympathetic Jury of a
tender missive read by soft-voiced lawyer
has often been demonstrated; but as against
the phonograph with its repetition of the ex-
act tones and cadences of the lover himself,
no defense would be possible. There is al I
ways possibility of showing that written
words may have been misrepresented-every
nan and woman of experience knows that
erms of endearment may by mere change ,
If infection be made to seem like opprobrious
'pithets, vice versa-but no mistake can be
made when turn of the phonograph crank ,
'rings to the ear the very infections
# the voice which uttered them The lam t
,uage of love may be of doubtful meaning
when reduced to writing, but there can be no :
discount on actual vocal cooings. If, in addi- +
ion to this, a camera is attached to the ma v
hlne, as some genius has proposed, and in
tantaneous photographs of the speaker taken, I
he consequences to defendant would be- 8
imply ruinous No argument or testimony
ould affect the echoes of his soft pleadings ?
yhen accompanied by representations of the :
estate smile which decorated his counte- o
ance while engaged in sweet monographs &
onverse. Obviously, the phonograph is not
le instrument for lovers, and great wealth IT
nd fame is awaiting the inventor of a breach o
'-promise-proof means of communion. c,
" b