Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-05-01
PoR1IEREs AND POPPING.
CurtaInOd Doorway - Obstacles In the
Way OF MAtrimony.


Way Of Matrimony.
A few evenings ago, observes Buff
falo Courier writer, said to my friend
Dareal: Joseph, why haven't you mar
ried2" The question seemed abrupt, I
admit, but the moment was most pro-
pitious. AS we sat in the contest corner
Of the club room testing a new and
recompenslng brand Of cigars we talked
awhile at random, and finally we, too,
drifted to the subject of marriage in
Buffalo. We spoke of the apparent re-
luctance Of certain young men to do any
thing but dawd1e about the objects Of
their alteration, and when Joseph said:
"Do not blame them, perhaps it is not
their fault" put to him the startling
question: Joseph, why don't you
marry?" Joseph took several long pulls
at his cigar before replying, but finally
said, his eyes fixed on the ascending
smoke: eff you wish to know what has
kept me from matrimony will tell you.
It is the portiere." 1 stared.
Joseph went on: Gin other words, it is
because parlors have no doors-because
our modern houses are one vast whis-
pering gallery in which the slightest
sound is heard from one end to another.
1t is years since I have felt sure that
was absolutely alone with a giri-an en-
vironment necessary for sentimental
demonstrations. But to particularize.
1t is not long since ] became unusually
interested in a young woman of my 40
quaintance. Perhaps I was in love with
her. If not, know that might have
become 80. I paid her rather marked
attention for nearly year, but in my
numerous visits to her house there was
never an opportunity for any thing but
the most formal conversation. Usually
her father sat in the library across the
hall in full hearing-if not in view-of
US. No chance to shut door. At the
parlor door-portieres; at the library
door-portieres; at the dining-room
door-portieres; and never an OPP
portunity for that sepse Of private tete-
a-tete which gives man inspiration for
sentimental deeds.
"Now it is my idea that the &. time
when mutual love is first acknowledged
should be supreme moment in life
one to be made the most of, and not to
be thrown away by any such insensate
proceeding as proposal by letter, or
even to be risked at unpropitious sea-
sons, when interruption is probable or
possible. Therefore, did not tell my
love with papa reading his paper in the
adjoining room, or with the servant
fumbling in the sideboard in the dining
room, with only a thickness of curtain
between her and Us. did not toll my
love while all the doors were wide open
and the sisters were active in the upper
halls, and l could hear the brother in
his room overhead dressing to go out.
No, waited for some moment Of assured
privacy. 1t never came" .....-,,-
There was long silence. "Well2" I
said, at last. ''That is all. Last sum-
mer the young woman in question made
a visit to a provincial town where she
could shut the parlor door. While there
she became engaged and was married
last autumn" .... 49,. 80. .,. ....,...
"And that Is courtship as she is con-
Quoted in Buffalo," I sighed. "That is
the state OF things In nine houses out Of
ten where pay social visits" said Joseph
Dareal. And as recalled the homes Of
our wedable but unwedded maids l con-
cluded that Joseph was not wrong, and
what Is most needed by our young men
Is not courage but "a chance"