The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-17
WHY THEY ELOPE.

New York Evening Post.

New York Evening Post.
Few Observant persons can have failed to
note the unusual number of runaway mar
riages recently recorded. The significant.
feature of most of them has been that they
were not the result of parental disapproval,
but simply came about through the determ-
ination of prospective brides and grooms to
hurry matters, and avoid the feather and
hutter of the modern wedding. In each
case society puts in its formal protest, but
this seems to be getting more and more
perfunctOry. If the tendency continues
there seems to be some likelihood that it
Will develop into a social fad. Already it
mas gone SO 1ar that no irate parent con-
siders 1T necessary to hold out more than
three or four days at the most before be-
slowing the necessary bless you my chill
dren," and starting them off for a honey
moon on a yacht. To Jenkins, whether he
be or the press or of the public, all this is
merely of sensational interest. The philos-
opher, however, looks for the cause. This
is not a search TO De accomplished in a mo-
ment. Tendencies, ii must be borne in
mind, are rarely understood during the
transition period. Yet it is proper enough
to skirt around the circumference OF
things, gathering instances wherever possi-
bic, meantime lighting off hasty deductions
as one would fight off the plague.
The features of a modern wedding are
unlimited fuss over the bride, presents
Including eXasperating duplicates), TO be
grateful for and smile over, and try to say
something original about, h-andshaking.
long-drawn out and painful, a mass. a lam.
agonizinS music complaining through the
noise, emotion more or less genuine to
which response, expense, the dread Of
bitches, or the fearful realization of them.
hurry-and the longing TO be away. Such
IS a modern wedding. on the other hand.
are the romantic possibilities. y cab, driven
at double speed, the hOarse shout of the
driver, a sudden halt. a half fainting. but
wholly happy bride fairly carried to the
altar, the sweet dimneSS of an empty
church, the excitement, the uncertainty.
the tremulOus JOY of il all. OF course. it is
improper, but not very. of course, papas
and mammas are sure to be angry. but not
for long.
And besides there is the influence of the
prospective bridegroom. He knows what a
wedding is, for he has stood up with many
a victim. He knows that a bridegroom at
a wedding Is like a constitutional monarch
necessary as a hgurehead and an evidence
of good faith; useful as an ornament. per
haps. but with nothing much TO do and no.
body especially interested whether he does
IL or not Naturally his influence is grow
ing more and more 10 be on the side of an
excursion into the fields of romance. He
is at a moment in his career where he cares
nothing about material advantages. Later
on he may regret the disapproval Of papa.
which disappears as To the daughter. but
continues as TO the newly-acquired son. but
now IL is to him a speck of dust to be
Tipped from his coat sleeve. This is an in
fiuence which counts with the bride The
result? These are reflections. not conclu-
siOns. But IL is true that the modern we'd
ding might be simpliied.