Telegram-herald., 1890-04-04
PORTlERES AND POPPING.
Curtained Door-Ways as Obstacles In the
Way OF Matrlmony.

A few evenings ago, observes a Buff
falo Courier writer, said to my friend
Dareal: Joseph, why haven't you mar
ried?" The question seemed abrupt. /
admit but the moment was most pro-
pitious. AS we sat in the coziest 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 dawdle 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: "If you wish to know what has
kept me from matrimony will tell you.
1t is the portiere." 1 stared.
Joseph went on: "In other words. II Is
because parlors have no doors-because
our modern houses arc one vast whis-
pering gallery in which the slightest
sound is heard from one end 10 another.
1t Is years since have felt sure that I
was absolutely alone with giri-an en-
vironment necessary for sentimental
demonstrations. But to particularize.
1t is not long since became unusually
interested in young woman of my ac-
quaintance. Perhaps l was in love with
her. If not, know that | might have
become so. l 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 diDing-room
door-portieres; and never an op-
portunity for that sense Of private tete-
a-tete which gives man inspiration for
sentimental deeds.
Now it is my idea that tho timo
when mutual love is first acknowledged
should be a supreme moment in life
one to be made the most OF, and not TO
be thrown away by any such insensate
proceeding as a proposal by letter. or
even TO be risked at uupropitious sea-
sons, when interruption is probable or
possible. Therefore, did not tell my
love with papa reading bis paper in tho
adjoining room, or with the servant
fumhling Ia the sideboard In the dining
room, with only thickness Of curtain
between her and rs. did not tell my
love while all the doors were wide open
and the sisters we're active IL the upper
halls, and I could hear the brother Ia
bis room overhead dressing 70 20 out
No. waited for some moment Of assured
privacy. Itnever came"
There was long silence "Weilp-
said, at last. That Is all Last sum
rner the yo1ng woman in question made
visit % 8 provincial town where she
could shut the parlo- door. While there
she became engaged and vas married
last sgtumn.~
And that - courtship as she e con
oucted IA Buffalo, 7 sighed. That il
The state % things IL nine houses oat =
Ten where pay social visits. said Joseph
DsreaL And IS I recalled the homes II
our wedable bEt unwodded maids con
ol15o5 that Joseph vas not vronv. ard
what is most needed bv our young roea
ts rot courage but "a chance