The Osceola times., 1888-08-25
MATCHMAKING.
The Mischief Sometimes Done by
Professionals.
A Mission No Sensible Person Voluntarily
Indcrtakes-An American Mothers
Clever scheme "A Fathers
"BucLwheat Straw
Principle"

Some people have positive mania
for matchmaking. Whether from
want of better employment, or because
they believe. like Mrs. Jellyby, that
they have great and glorious mission,
they are never happier than when
scheeming and contriving to dispose
matrimonially OF one or other OF their
young acquaintance. They regard all
their unmarried friends, especially
their unmarried lady friends, with an
eye Of compassionate solicitude; and
their ingenuity is continually on the
rack TO discover what they can do for
this, that, or the other, in the way of
providing him or her with partner for
life Like most other busy-bodies,
these missionary match-makers, Us we
might call them, do world of mis-
chief. They meddle, and plot, and
manage where they have no right
whatever to interfere, and are seldom
deferred by a sense of responsibility
which attaches to any one influencing
and encouraging young people in such
serious matter. On the contrary they
think nothing of ignoring, and even at
tempting to override, the opinion Of
parents and others upon whom the
Direct responsibility ought to devolve.
Match-makers of this description are
usually less concerned about the future
OF their young friends than about the
diversion and excitement oi certain
sort which they themselves derive from
me part they play in experimenting
ana promoting the negotiations, and the
subsequent Importance they will beable
!" assume as the persons who have
oeen mainly instrumental in bringing
about the match. So long as they are
enabled to play out their favorite game,
'ney bestow but little thought upon the
possible consequences. If the match
prove to be an unfortunate one, they
eAh'oh remarkable facility in dis
calmlng all responsibility. They re-
vail The many words OF counsel and OF
caution they had given; and to hear
them speak, one would suppose that
they had done every thing in their
power to dissuade the young people
IRON marrying, instead of having done
al 'hey could to encourage them. If,
however, the marriage is a happy one,
uiey are seldom slow TO claim full
snare Of credit for the part they have
p"yed' and find constant opportunities
!" remind the young couple and their
friends how much all this present
iehcl'y is due TO their foresight and
sagacity.
NO sensible person does voluntarily
snuertake the Office OF matchmaker.
mothers with a numerous following of
uaughters have the Office thrust upon
'nein 10 certain extent whether they
wa OF not; but theirs is very differ
.u' case from that Of the person who
~ScS 10 matchmaking as sort Of
e''eatlon or pastime, or, still worse,
aS a mission. 1t may be said that
| "N'tN Nittu Dt llutn DtlloE
Employed and would really be doing
.Lore Tor the best interests of their
e"ls' II they devoted the same amount
y, ~ ''lhe TO their education and instruc-
tlon In household duties as they spend
- uottlng them out for the inspec-
D" ahd admiration of possible sons-in-
T Inc rebuke, wherever merited-
~ no doubt is in some instances is
To,'eeuy a. Iust. But when a mother has
~ ny ner duty otherwise, a reasonable
on ',unl oil managing and manpuvring
w;,a or part to provide her daughters
Sh~ W. husbands, is perfectly justifiable.
wiz may feel tolerably certain that,
sor, w. VI VI without her cognizance, some
ss.,.., o matchmaking, or, at all events,
IN, 'n is sure to occur; and that be-
W 1t is undoubtedly better that