The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-28
WoOING AND CoURTING.

The distinction between wooing and
counting Is very old-so old that It f. al
most fo:sotten. In the old days. II would
seem. judging from the romances and
plays. courtship was a gentle process be-
ginning with the woolng which gave no
exclusive privileges. but was a gradually
unfolding probation. II was followed by
the declaration. and the period OF counting
prior TO the happy day when the banns
were published. and all the world
was invited TO speak OF any
known Just cause or impeachment
why the young couple should not
lie married or forever after hold tts
peace The notice being given and the op-
portunlty afforded, wise custom made
It Imperative that when the marriage had
once taken places the past should De sealed.
The wooing does not belong TO this age.
1t is too gentle and slow. Young couples
meet by chance, become recognized lovers,
other friendships are discouraged. and the
marriage follows a. a matter OF course.
Thts plan has the advantage Of celerity.
but it Il noteworthy tha. with the pass
come a common feature of life
There was something very delightful In
those old-fsshioHed notions Of proprbety.
TIE wooing wss period OF youth in
which the bloom Of Innocence and coyness
was preserved from the rough touch o,
familiarity. while IRE tender joys Of hope
ard doubt encouragement and discourage
ment. alteTnatsd in blssful succession. No
youth da-syi spproaCh too b-.sgueiy or
confidently; no girl threw herself -zshly
Into he arms OF The first 10 come with the
tempting words OF love The tiria hints
Of aAcratlcn. TIE respectful offer az
flower. the pslpitarng qualification Of a
hand pressure. tie tenderness Of stoian
gisnCes. the Innocent th-1u OF a stolen
meeting, ard :ae highly rTixed privilege
% a dance. became the SWEET passing
lights ard shadows % yoat1 which seem
81 longer. more precious. and gave greater
promise. Now the swift. confident court
sasp ard he hAssy marriage have GLITTER
A'sd IRE snnnie<, Gays of early life. and
elotted og: a SWe et experience which Gel
uever he enjoyed after the tad hss bias
soze4 :ntO the H1atarsd flower.
You;a. nowadays. is xltogethsr TOO short.
Manhood and wonAnhood come before tia
exp-rac.oG q the teens. and girls and BOYS.
long before The legal ags Of Independence.
have oeco-2s h.ass. eoarsely familiar with
ere ultimate re.&tis1 Of The sexes. ana sc-
eas'crae3 - TAX Gnhlashingly AID Joking
.y e ere nost delicate emotions. In .h.
pastoral periods sentiment vas = atv-irc:
sage ST. loveEaooA Il preceaed passion "a
tas ury. Lmii. t!atea petals come before
ire @eess-. Fc-s--rle-oe2ying Haunting and
elshiy-cclaret rose. u was as the Eephvr
70 tbe tempest. Ire srst faint +inge Of dawn
to ere gsory CT The naon3sy sun. r brought
rs charming s.1sh 20 IRE cheeks OF IN
conscious .rnc7eacs. and sof1erea TIE
roaeh boy ieto IRE tasstul Aut respectf,,l
lover IL was 3 paase which Rad 10 mana
fcr ccyncss scarcely hrea5he.1 rs existence.
y vas s mai3-n se-rst. rst % bs Wits
rerea bsj treasured MIR 70 .houee-
~ nce1 e. shane L ~as ths uztosa secr~.
@ the sg@Easaesse mother. rszsin4s,sn,
ree@csioa q her eva swse< F.rlhsoa.
Bat ths 1ays q wooiax are gore. Ms,inr
IS = sscial accident Badly undertake.,
Tle'le3 wl.hout coneeA1uent- cou-+shs7 =
business q Ase. n wAseh there Is 10