The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-04
SOME GIIDED MIsALLIAycEs.
situation in "a Nu'.heII-"I'me-L'sh

situation in ~ Nufshell-"Li me~Light
and Low Music.
a dear old American lady who lived
the greater part of her life in Rome.
and used TO receive all that was worth
knowing in her spacious dra Ning-rO0ms
far up In tho dim Businesses If a Roman
palace, used 10 say that Is had only
known Of one really happy III rriage made
by an American girl ahrOll' In those
days being young ana innocent" we
considered that remark yer cynical and
in our hearts thought nothing could Dee
more romantic and charm lg than for "a
fair compatriOt TO assume ara historic
title and retire after her marriage 10 Der
husbands estates. 10 rule smilmgly over
him and devoted tenaitry very much
as 10 appears iu Tie last ACT OF a. comic
opera. when o. rOse-cO.0r.d light is burn
ing ana the orchrstl plays the last
brilliant chords of "a wedding march.
Then. also. there seemed 10 our perverted
sense. a sort of poetic justice about the
fact that money galed honestly hut
prosalcaliy. in groccrlo or gas. should 20
90 regild an ancient na-on. or prop up the
crumbling walls of me- robber strong
hold abroad. Alas many thoughtful
years and many cr.ol realities have
taught MS that our gracious hostess of
the seventies very nearly. was right.
and that marriage unDsr these conditions
.s apt TO be much more like the comic
opera after the curt in has been rung
down when the lights are out the ape
plauding public gon home and the
weary actors. slowly roueht back TO the
present and the positive. are wondering
how they are TO pay the rent or dodge
the warrant in ami sh around the cor
ncr.
These marriages cone about generally
from q want Of know edge of the world.
The father becomes rich. the family
travel abroad, some utual friend Coften
from purely interestel motves) produces
a sutton for the hand OF the girl in the
shape Of a prince with a title that
makes the whole sim q American family
CULVER with delight. After a few visits
the sutton declares , mself. the girl is
hattered the father Dses his head sees
visions Of his loved lighter hobnObbng
with royalty. and On .oXicating thought
snubbing the "swells az home who had
shown great reluctar 10 recognize him
and his family. 10 S. next to impossible
Tor him 10 got any -liablc information
about his future son. l-law IN a country
whore he has not lgic social relation.
belongs 20 no club, nd whose idiom is
sealed book 20 D. m. Every circum-
stance conspires 10 KEEP the flaws In the
article for sale in tie background and
put the sutton in an advantageous light.
After "a few weeks wrestling. pater-
famlias agrees to pat with a handsome
share Of his earning and a marriage il
arranged I'm the use where the girl
has retained some OF ler self-respect. the
sutton Is Obliged 10 come 10 this country
for the ceremony. a q that the contrast
may not be too str ling an establish
ment Is hastily gotten together with hired
liveries and new -bOu Int carriages The
sensational papers g. se II UP and pub
lish fake portraits n the bride and her
noble spouse. The sovereign OF the
erOOm's country ter hanted that some
more American mOner is 10 be imported
into his land sends ~ economical pres
ent and an autograph letter. The act
ends Lime-light am slow music. In a
few years rumors Of dissent and trouble
float vaguely back o. the girls family
And finally. either a lreat scandal occurs
and there Is one q -honored home the
more in the world. o. a wretched. heart
broken woman. thou lnds OF miles away
from the friends and relatives who might
be some comfort 10 her. makes up her
mind TO accept "any hing for the sake
OF her children. AMI tries % build up
again some sort OF 90 existence out OF
the remains Of her lost happiness. and
her father wakes mp from his dream 10
realize that his wea has only served
TO ruin what he love hest I'm the world.