The times., 1899-06-05
Weddings Aaoat.

The Lake Michigan steamboat compa-
nies have recently evolved 2 new idea, in
tended solely for the benefit of people
about to marry. 1t is to fit up bridal cham
bers and afford facilities for weddings on
board boats. In this way Lake Michigan
may become a sort of Gretna Green. if
the laws of the country do not interfere.
The scheme seems likely to be success,
especially since it is to receive its first
trial in the vicinity of Chicago. Every
one has heard of enterprising couples who
have been married on railway trains, but
the steamboat is new place for these
doings. Whether ii will prove a good one
or not remains to be seen.
There will probably be impecunious par
sons who will be glad TO secure situations
as travelling clergymen with the different
companies. and the stewardesses and bell
boys will receive many a tribute of graf
itude from couples in the first flush of
happiness. Some boats will doubtless be
in demand for strictly first-class wedding
festivities, and others will be patronized
by those who are unable to pay great
price for the pleasure of fashion. But in
all cases the marriage will be equally in
dissoluble.
One drawback to the plan, however,
should not be overlooked. What will hap
pen when rough weather occurs on the
lake, in the midst of a wedding journey?
This is a question which deserves careful,
not to say prayerful, consideration. Al
though Lake Michigan is not the Atlantic
Ocean. it can get up very pretty little
storm when in the mood for 1t. and fur
nish short, choppy waves warranted to be
quite as effective in certain directions as
those encountered by the biggest Allan
tic liner. Suppose that at the hour set
for the weddings, at least one Of each pair
of contracting parties is in the throes of
seasickness. What a comfortable time
the survivors will have.
1t may be argued that true affection
should find its sweetest joy in ministering
to the wants of an afflicted dear one. But
it is an unfortunate fact that in a case of
this kind the sufferer is quite likely TO
spurn all offers of help and prefer the
! paid-for ministrations of the stewardess
to the loving care of others. 1t has been
suggested, indeed, that the very worst
place for newly married couple to spend
the honeymoon is in Europe, this by rea-
son of the weeks voyage which precedes
all other experiences. 1t is positively
known that young brides. when accosted
with anxious and tender solicitude by hus-
| bands, have, under these circumstances,
been heard to reply, "Oh, go away, George;
1 wish l had never seen you. Why did
ever leave my mother?" And then the
husband goes and leans over the rail and
cigar.
1t is bad, both when the husband hap
pens to be an experienced sailor and wher
he is not. Every one knows that the
| worst torments of seasickness are caused
by the aggressive health of others; and
when woman sees the man who ha:
promised to love, cherish, and protect her
walking around in the full vigor of life
and strength, and eating three meals &
| day, while she herself is longing for death
it does not tend to strengthen the newly
made bond between them. But if tht
husband is as badly off as the wife, ther
there is not even the consolation OF i'm
agining that he might be of some use il
he only would, and the world becomes {
waste OF watery woe.
If the fashion OF bridal parties on LAX,
Michigan ever becomes really popular. i
will have to be because there is some new
way to prevent seasickness.