St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-12-02
A MODEL PAIR.
A Loving Couple in ST. Paul Who
Correct Ones Cynicism.

A Loving Couple in ST. Paul Who
Correct Ones Cynieism.
Written for the Globe
Let me tell the "WomaD's Kingdom"
how two friends of mine have found
and made the marriage question a sue
cess. I knew them before marriage,
and have known them for fifteen years
since. so can safely say the expert
ment with them has stood the test of
time. No wild stress of passion brought
them to the altar. They never pro-
fessed that either of them would die or
be unhappy for life if they did not
marry the other. Yet they loved each
other truly, quietly; love based on the
good qualities which each perceived in
the other. Prior to marriage no definite
engagement OF promise was given OF
exacted. The man said, II love you
better, more unselfishly, than any
woman l have ever met. - l
think l love you sufficiently
that it will be pleasure to make what
ever sacrifice of personal wishes may
be called upon to yield in matrimony,
If you feel the same way, at some future
time hope you will become my wife.
Still | wish no promise, and will give
know any other man with whom you
think you could live more happily, |
charge you as a sacred duty to both and
all to tell me of it and go your way
even if on the road to the church to
marry me-"
This perfect freedom seemed to &C.
ment the affection between them, and
the "other man" did not appear. On
the eve of the marriage l reminded my
young friend of their poverty and of
her poor health. II have thought it all
over" he replied; IL know Mary's
health is delicate. but she will do the
best she can, and with good care and
outdoor exercise | trust her health will
improve. Then | am well and strong,
and that implies the right to the heavier
burdens"
.'She knows nothing Of housekeep-
and not her fault" he said. ''She has
a good disposition. is willing and anx-
ious to learn anything that will benefit
us. and | trust her." With this capital
they married. No rhapsodles, no pro-
testations, no promises beyond which
the law required. After marriage the
change he insisted upon was regular
habits of life, the best hygenic arrange
ments they could afford and, abOlutely,
the daily walk for the fragile slip of a
girl. "Only till you begin to be tired"
he insisted; ''then go to your room and
sleep as long as you like" Many bur-
dens fell upon the young couple that
others should have borne, but the
young mans theory worked we'll. His
strong hand was laid on the weak
places, and his quiet strength carried
the heavier burdens with seeming ease.
~ G..l 1inf
gave the wife strength, and In the
home she seemed to grow and
bloom with "a loneliness of
life and disposition unknown to most
women. With the passing years, the
deep mental affection seemed to in
crease, and the feeling of perfect trust
to grow deeper and stronger. There
was no ''head of the family" each had
perfect freedom to do as he pleased
without fear of harsh criticism or
severe reproof. With added strength
the wife gladly assumed more of the
burdens OF the household, and the only
rivalry between them was to see how
much they could help each other.
When children came the father insisted
upon strict compliance with every re-
quest made by the gentle mother, while
Snc ana uuo TWO StuIuy UOyS Hiduo III
daily study to do all in their power to
tighten the burdens incident to all
household life-a light load when
love divides it, but grievouS burden
when borne by one and discharged as
a duty.
us marriage failure?" In nine
cases out of ten, yes. Not only to the
immediate contracting parties, but to
those so unfortunate to be born of an
unloving union. Can it be made sue
cess? Yes. But conditions are at
tached. Children must be taught that
selfishnesS defeats itself, that he who
gives is not only more blessed, but
actually receives more in return. He
who throws his whole soul into good
cause must succeed. Marry and then
prove by acts that you are willing to
make any reasonable sacrifice for the
others comfort. not only willing but
glad to do so. If father, teach your
children to love and comfort mother
before every human being; ii a mother,
instruct your little ones by precept and
example that their father is worthy of
all honor and respect. In this way
marriage can be made success, home
the sweetest spot on earth, and children
grow up noble man and womanhood.
The extended agitation of the question
proves that modern marriage is fall
ure. to an extent at least My young
/ friends to whom referred smiled when
, the question was propOunded to them.
1t had never entered their minds to
even discuss or question its success.
Follow their example, forget self and