Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-02-19
THE Old Folks
4 Matrimonial Exchange.
foriginal.1

An elderly lady with pair Of short
gray curls on each temple stepped into
the private Office of PhiIander Shanks,
merchant. Mr.. Shanks rose, bowed,
pointed to seat and asked her what
he could do for her
II have come to see you, Mr.. Shanks
on very peculiar mission. ! have
plan which | must preface by bit of
explanation -
The lady paused and looked as If she
WAS limiting for some place to begin.
then went on:
There are two parts to life for those
who live to be our age. The first
half is entirely unlike the second. In
youth we know nothing of the lOnell-
ness OF old age. Many a man and
woman up to forty is absorbed in that
which has nothing to do with provid-
Ing companionship for old age. Then
perhaps suddenly a realization comes
to us Of the fact that we need the
home We remember the lost oppor-
tunlties of youth to form a connection
which would have resulted In sons and
daughters growing up about us and
Madam" interrupted Mr.. Shanks,
"you are describing me. have built
up a fortune. but have neglected to
build up a home. | have reached the
time when would gladly give the
fortune for the home. What Is there
for me when leave this office? \
miserable existence till the next morn
ing. when resume my duties. | dine.
alone, spend lonely evening at my
club. and when | go to my desolate
apartment"
"And l." Interrupted the LADY,
live III room by myself. | manage to
get along during the day, since | am
interested IN several charitable assocl-
atoms president Of one and secretary
Of another-but when evening comes
how can go out alone and where can
| goY'
Does your plan aim to relieve such
conditions, madam
1T does. You have made 1t very
easy for me to propose It, | knew you
were bachelor and past-well, past
fifty"
"Flfty-fve, madam"
Therefore | knew you would sympa-
| thize with me. propose to establish
an exchange for those elderly people
who would like to marry, but have no
one to marry. True. the major part OF
| the deficiency we can never make up
the children Dear little things, how
would love to have them always about
te, with their funny ways, their
And grown. madam. l would give
W check for million for a son to
~ cceed me in this business"
And If had had children when l
VA from twenty to thirty l should
/ ow be petting my grandchildren.
| love them best from eighteen months
to four years, from the time they are
learning to walk and to talk till they
begin to crave playmates."
"And think what fine thing it is to
watch them while they are being edu-
Gated - the boys growing strong and
manly. the girls good and beautiful"
"But we are wasting time without
coming to the point. | will enter my
name as the first woman charter mem
her Of the exchange. would like you
to enter yours as the first man mem
bGr"
GLADLY, madam" regretfully. 1--WE
cannot. as you say, surround ourselves
| with families. We are too old. But we
may make homes for each other. No
| man can make a home without a wO.
man.
You Will need some funds, madam
first for stationery for your notices and
Invitations, then to secure place for
meeting. | trust you will permit me
to furnish little fund for starter"
lie took check book from a drawer
what name. MADAME
'Splnner n. A. Spinney."
"What Il coincidence remarked Mr.
Shanks. pnusir. In his work laying
down his pen and looking ut the Edy
/