Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-05-19
LOVE AND COURTSHIP.
Musings of a Park Waterman on the
BackW ard season.

The cool weather has had a rather depressing
Influence upon the matrimonial market There
has been a delay In the adjustment OF the little
preliminary matters A few pleasant evenings ON
park bench would probably have been sufficient
10 settle the destinies OF a great many young
couples There Is something about park seat In
the soft balmy air Of an evening In spring that
arouSes the affections The awkward tongue OF a
young man flrst essaying the alphabet OF love be-
comes persuasive His voice seems like that OF an
ange, and his words are thought to be as sweet as
the honey dropping from a comb. AT least this IL
what, In substance. park Waterman told a STAR
man, and what PARK Waterman does not know
about love and cOurtship has yet been revealed
10 the knowledge OF mankind. He enjoys opportu-
mites for observation and study which afforded
IN no other walk Of life. During the day he mas
the nursery maids and their retlnue OF admirers
IN THE EVENING
the social world OF the city, In all its ramlncattons
and grades. pass before his eyes. He therefore
knows a thing or two about loves young dream.
lie sees the progress OF courtship through All its
varied phases. The lover, from the condition OF
Dnssfu ignorance. which Is the frst period 70 that
Of maudin sentiment and maddened jealousy he
accurately marks He can tell you why some
couples seek the seats secluded from the glarfng
gas lamp and the frequented walk, and why
others are Indifferent 70 all external surroundings
In fact, he can point you out certain couples who
have, In the course Of a few weeks OF park expe-
Renee, graduated from the dim light Of seclusion
into the glare OF publicity.
HE MOTIFS THE COURSE OF LOVE,
whether II has run smoothly or has been dashed
about amid the rocks and rapids OF despair and
neglect II be was only consulted he could enable
ministers 10 form very fair estimate OF the reye-
hue that was likely 10 come TO them In the early
months OF the fall lie could give points 10
anxious parents, and on sunday evenings he could
answer 10 the mental roll-call, which the pastor
OF congregation Is likely 70 make as his eye
slances IRON one vacant seat 10 another There
seems 10 De noquestion that park Waterman hA,
AT MS myers ends more information than his
mohlhly salary calls for. As the editor of A
society journal ne could MI his rivals with despatr
by the amount OF fresh and reliable news that
would NJ the columns Of his paper.
BACKWARD SEASON
The PARK Waterman, however, Is OF the oplnion
that the present season Is very backward The
cold weather OF the past week has made n imnos
sable ior the young people 10 use the benches
which kindly and psfernal Government has
placed In the parks for their benet He Is inclined
10 think that all courtship has come 10 an end
frozen up, 50 20 speak. He Is urn believer in ~
entanSling influences over the susceptible hearts
of youth In the sweet fresh air OF sprino fIiea
with the fragrance OF flowers and intoxicatino
with the glamour OF moonlight He has lost his
faith In the conventional paror and In the prosaic
gas light, and claims that the human heart spea =
falsely amid such surroundings In short the
park watchman has become a disciple of the doc
trtne OF the beautiful, and Is In imminent daprer
OF losing his place.