The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-12-25
HAPPY MARRIAGES.
None Are Entirely Free From Occasional
Small Disagrcements.


Small Disagrcements.
An old couple in New Jersey a week
or more ago celebrated the sixty
eighth anniversary Of their wedding.
The newspaper reports closed with tile
statement: "They have never had a
quarrel" Frequently, indeed, almost
invariably, couples on the occasion OF
their silver or golden wedding. declare
that they never had a quarrel; that
the serenity of their companionshlp
never has been interrupted by harsh
words or the most trivial pickering.
Never give any credit to such state
ments. The person who makes them
nav really believe them at the time,
and warmth and kindness of wine and
inflammation intensified by the occasion
corrupt the memory of aged couples
and move them to loast of their good
fortune. No one should criticise this
failing, which is harmless and even
beautiful, but which. nevertheless, is
treason of the cold truths. Tie old
man sits at the head of the table with
Lis old wife at his side. Both have
Eaen toasted and it is necessary to re-
ply. He rises and says: I'VE have
lived together for half a century and
have never Quarreled," and the good
wife. in her black gown and her best
laces. beams On her children, her
grandchildren and assembled friends,
and confirms the falsehocd with nod.
Frequently, too, younger couples cir
culate the same fiction about them
selves. In company they are very de-
voted to each other. She continually
gives him playful fillips on the cheek,
and dearest" is the coolest name by
which he addresses her. From their
own stories it appears that their mar
ricd life has been uninterrupted beatl
tude. They bask in each others
glarces, and are exalted, transfgured
by love.
Other young couples. who are very
fond OF each other and who get on
very we'll together, though not without
little Quarrels, may be inclined to have
the blues when they behold how eX-
tremely peaceably the first young cou-
pie dwell together. Perhaps a young
wife will accuse herself of being too
Quick of temper and too sharp OF
tongue. Perhaps 10th will think that
their marriage has not been as sue
cessful as it might have been. Then
they may put their arms about each
other, deplore past quarrels and past
hardships, renew their vows Of love-
and resolve to make the future atone
for what cannot be undone.
Such self-criminations will do no
harm. Such renewals of the vows of
affection will make q day or 4 week
more pleasant. perhaps, than it would
have been. 1t is we'll for husband and
wife now and then to beg pardon OF
each other. But no young couple
should believe that, because they fall
cut once in a while. exchange sharp
words, lose their tempers and spoil q
dinner by quarreling. their marriage
is a failure; failure, at least. by COM
parison. Nothing could he more IN.
true or more unjust to themselves.
All married couples have had their
little chickering's, and when any couple
say they have lived together fifty
years. or even ten years, without a
quarrel, they are either the one eX'
captional couple out of one thousand,
or they say what is Eot true. True,
the husband may never have at
tempted to stab his wife, nor the wife
plotted to poison her husband, but be
sure they have more than once scolded
each other. taunted each other, been
angry at each other. and, in short
quarreled outright with each other
They have Eeen reconciled, of course;
their life together has been harmoni-
Gus, except for occasional discords;
they really love each other; but, be-
lieve this, they have had their quar-
rels.-Sar Francisco Bulletin.