The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-07-04
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A few evenings ago, Observes Buf-
falo Courier writer. said to my fricnd
Dareal:' Joseph. why haven't you mar
ficdf" Thc question seemed abrupt, I
admit, but tho moment was most pro-
pitious. As VIC sat in tho cozicst corner
Of the club room testing q now and
rccompensing brand Of cigars we talked
awhile at random, and finally wo, too,
driftcd to the subject Of marriage in
Buffalo. We spoke of the apparent re-
luctancc of certain young mon to do any
thing but dawdle about the objects Of
their alteration, and when Joseph said:
"Do not blame them, perhaps 1t is not
their fault put to him the startling
question: Joseph. why d.a't you
marry:" Joseph took several long pulls
at his cigar before replying, but finally
said, his eyes fixed on tho ascending
smoke: "If you wish to know what has
kept mo from ,natrimony will tell you.
1t is the porticrc." stared.
Joseph went on: ''In other words, It is
because parlors have no doors-bccausc
our modern houses arc ono vast whis-
pcring gallery in which tho slightest
sound is heard from, ono cnd to another.
II is years since have sclt surc that l
was absolutely alone with q gir.-sa en-
vironmcnt necessary for sentimental
demonstrations. but to particularizc.
IL is not long since became unusually
interested in y young woman Of my ac-
quaintance. Perhaps was in lovo with
her. II not, know that might have
become so. paid her rather marked
attention for nearly year, hut in my
numerous visits to her house there was
never an opportunity for any thing but
tho most formal conversation. Usually
her father sat in tho library across the
hall in full hcaring--if not in view-of
us. NO chance 10 shut q door. At tho
parlor dcor-portiercs: at tho library
door-rorticres; ut the dining-roon,
loor-rortiercs; and never an op-
portunity for that sense Of private tote.
a-tctc which gives . man inspiration for
sentimental deeds.
"Sow it is my idea that the timo
when mutual love ia first acknowledged
should bc a supreme moment in life
one t, lM made the most Of, and not to
be thrown away by any such inscnsatc
preceding as a proposal by letter, or
even to be rislicd at unpropitious sea
sons, when interruption is; probable or
possible. Therefore. did not tell my
love wit, papa rcadins his paper in the
adjoining room, or with the servant
fumbling in tho sideboard in tho dining.
room, with only thickness of curtain
between her and us. did not tell my
love while all the doors were wide open
and tho sisters were active in tho upper
halls. and could hear tho brother in
his room overhead dressing to go out.
No, waited for some moment Of assured
privacy. Itncvcr ca,nc.'
There was y long silence. "Well?"
said, at last. That ~ all. Last sum
NOR the young woman i'll question made
visit tO q provincial town whcrc She
could shut the parlor door. While there
she l'ccanc engaged and was married
last autumn
"And that is courtship as she is con
dnctc,l in l'ntfal"." sighed. THAT is
the state ot things in nine houses out oi
ten whore pay social visits, said Joseph
Darcal. And aa recalled tho homes oi
our wcdahla hut unwc,llcd maids con.
clmled that .loscpl, was not wrong, and
what is most needed by our young men
il not courage but 81 chance"