The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-16
AN OLD-FASHIONED COURTSHIP

AN OLD-FASHIONED COURTSHIP
In the days Of David's and Martha AIMS
courtship chaperones had not come into
use: or at least they had not yet been in
troduced as far west as Indiana. The
g-randmothers who talk of those good old
times say that these moral mentors were
not then needed: that girls did not asso-
ciate with young men whom they could
not trust in those days. They say. too,
that as a consequence young folks got
pretty well acquainted before marriage,
and that divorces were the exception rather
than the rule. Grandmother are always
saying such things. They are so old-fash-
toned!
David and Martha Ann were faithful
lovers for many years. and years were un-
commonly long in those times. 1t seems
that love at first sight was not then in
vogue; neither were -nursery-grown roses.
David had made a path through mud and
dust and snow across fields between Martha
AIMS home and his own for a twelve
month before even she suspected that he
intended counting her. Throughout the
first summer he was content to sit on the
fence of evenings and whittle and talk to
"a : tAt W llO NCotAACA SICN "
cool for this he joined the family circle
about the wide hearth and conversed BASH
fully and gravely with her father and
mother. while Martha Ann sat very quiet
ly in her corner. spinning or sewing. As
spring approached. however. David began
to cast occasional dumb, furtive glances
in the girls direction, and finally TO adj
dress commonplace remarks TO her now
and then. III WAS a serious mat
ter. was courtship in those days,
and one not to be entered upon
lightly. Nit until the next fall did David
and Martha Ann become actual, bona
fide lovers. But the following winter the
spare room was opened and aired, and the
courtship was definitely ~inaugurated. Then
the two were permitted TO spend the even
ings in each others exclusive society un-
disturbed. And so was spent the mex
winter and the next and the next. 1t
seems tedious now in the mere telling,
but il was never tiresome to them. In
truth, there is a great deal of satisfaction
in a courtship when personally conducted.
and David and Martha Ann enjoyed theirs
to the utmost.
They passed safely through the acute,
feverish stage of wildness and delirium on
into the chronic, lasting state of sweet,
wistful dreams. of true, unselfish devotion.
Hour after hour they talked and planned.
erecting many a coy little cottage-like
aircastle for their happy future. Then
sometimes they would sit together in sa-
cred silence while a long December twi-
light deepened into darkness. At such
times Martha AIMS mother was apt TO
appear at the proper time with lighted cam
die in hand; but she was always sleepy and
preoccupied and never seemed to observe
them closely. If David coughed and
changed his position somewhat precipitate-
~ she was wont to ask some general ques-
ton about his fathers stock. or the crops,
or his mothers chickens. Martha AIMS
mother had passed through an old-fash-
toned courtship herself.
At different times the lovers discussed
their suitability for each other from every
standpoint. Each learned the others
traits and tastes thoroughly to the mi
nutest detail.
You see when We marry it's for life"
said Martha Ann. after she had drawn
David out as to how he best liked pan
cakes fried. and it's better to under
stand one another beforehand"
Do not sneer. 1 pray you, at her solicit
tude concerning so small a matter. for of
such is the kingdom of domestic bliss.
Society made few demands upon these
rural lovers. Balls and operas were un-
heard of and only occasionally did they
attend neighborhood parties. However.
every Sunday evening they were won't 20
occupy a pew at meeting side by side,
just back of Martha AIMS parents.
In going TO and from these gatherings
they, walked or rode on horseback: and
u-ho@ . --ooltb of vapffrnap+ 49, fo,,,l L..
those long moonlit journeys through the
lonely woods, Martha Ann possessed just
enough feminine fear TO cause her to cling
closely to David's arm and shudder when
the owls hooted: and David had enough
of that masculine sense of the protector TO
nave defed untold legions of lurking owls
at such times.
What a wonderful parallel to the jour-
ney of life was their progress through the
forest. They thought of ii often; how
the way before them seemed always a maze
of dark shadows, of doubts and unknown
dangers: yet how they were continually
coming upon unexpected open spaces where
the moonlight shone bright upon the fallen
leaves and illumined their faces with the
gentle radiance of steadfast hope and cour-
age. And the pathway always led them
safely home at last. They wondered if it
would be so in life, and they believed it
wOuld-they were sure IL would. And the
lingering good-byes they said at the old
picket gate-what a world OF sweet sadness
entered into them, They were only tempo
rary adieus. to be forgot and renewed
within a day; Yet. In each one. the lovers
tasted a faint but bitter tincture of that
last farewell which must be said some
dark night at the parting of life's paths.
David never went home without some such
solemn meditation. and life and love took
on deep. mysterious meanings as he
walke across the meadow under the in
finite canopy of stars. A lover ought to
be alone with his thoughts a great deal.
for love feeds largely upon in~trospection
and reflection.
In the due course OF time David anc
Martha Ann We're solemnly welded. III
their case there was little need OF self
adjusting after the honeymoon, for the ad-
justment TO each other had been in prog
Z Tess for years. And theSs>NAs no rude