The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-11

The matchmaker rushes in where
angels fear to tread. And yet she
is no fool. And her lot Is not an easy
one. She is suspected by the world
wise,, tolerated by the young and un-
initiated, and frequently ashamed of
herself. Still she exists and continues
to make matches.
In one of the Gypsy Brenton books,
dear to the childish heart of quar-
ter-century agone, the small boy says
that God made matches, but that "He
used the burning birthstone from the
bad place to put on the tips" Later
well-known author makes her hero
Inc remark: Matches may be made
in heaven, but they sometimes serve to
light the fires of-well-the other
place, very effectually." The fact that
the two characters mentioned referred
to different kinds of matches does not
alter the truth that may be drawn
from both remarks. This truth is ap-
plcable to the match with which we
have to do more than to the innocent
little wood and birthstone article Of
commerce..
It is not difficult to understand why
the devoted mother attempts to have
a hand In the settling OF her
daughters marriage. She takes it for
women do-and no woman knows true
happiness until she is beloved and
loving wife and joyful mother. Is 1t
strange, then, that the elderly woman
in whose power the happiness or I'M
happiness Of her child cannot always
darling tod establish her in life as
she thinks will be most conducive to
her future welfare? To this end she
wants her girl to marry gentleman,
and--here is the rock upon which
many mother and child split-a man
hi
family in comfort. The child, sur
rounded from birth by every luxury,
has read of the love that can smile at
poverty, and Of "all for love and the
world we'll lost" and SCOTS at the
mothers desires and fears. She will
marry for love and for love only.
Love must be the keynote Of a
happy marriage, but the keynote
alone does not make grand, sweet
song"
This is not pessinism; it Is truth.
The mother knows it is truth, and
frowns upon penniless Johns suit,
knowing that if he is accepted the
pretty girlish hands must wash dishes,
perhaps make fires. At BEST there
must be the turning and twisting of
ways and means, the counting of every
scent car fare, the making over of
last years dresses, the lying awake
far into the night wondering how the
Forthcoming bills of doctor and nurse
are to be paid. All, let her who
knows nothing of it all forbear to
smile when one says that such expert
ences are perilously near to tragedy!
HE jests at scars who never felt
wound!'
We may, therefore, pardon the
mother who tries to make a good
match for her child. If she some
times sets aside the child's wishes,
incites her to a cold, practical con-
sideration of marriage that is to- be
= deplored, we must remember that her
over-aeal is due to a great love, and
condone the error for the motive that
actuates it.
We cannot say as much Of the mar
ried woman who sees a possible en-
gagement and marriage in every
couple that she, or chance, has thrown
together. One is almost tempted to
wonder if there is matchmaking
microbe that attacks such matrons
At all events, many Of them seem
unable to resist the temptation OF
feverish desire to marry off all their
friends. Upon their shoulders great
responsibility rests when their efforts
are crowned with success.
Since, as has been said above, the
PERFECTION of bliss is to be found in
happy union, the converse is also
true. No greater misery is known
than that brought about by an I'M
happy marriage. To be tied for life
(unless one rushes with an eagerness
worthy Of better cause into the di-
vorce cour) to an uncongenial mate
to live under the same roof, to cal
at; the same table, to share the same
income, to consider the tastes anC
distastes, to receive the reproaches, tc
obey the behest of such an one, to
humor his or her whims-is fore.