Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-28
Sunday Morning Talk.
After the HONEYMOON.

Was it coincidence Or a bit Of in
tended irony that the June number of
popular magazine should contain two
stories revealing the seamy side Of mar
ried life? OF all months in the year,
June. the bridal month, would seem to
be the time when the hosts Of happy
brides and adoring bridegrooms should
be speeded on their way with stories
and poems that picture the felicity Of
welded life. And yet there is this re-
deeming feature, that both these tales
issue as they. ought to-
One begins with the separation Of a
husband and wife whose little boy d.
videt his time between them. 1t gives
an idea of the troubles of the so-called
society people, among whom, despite
means to crafty almost every desire,
arrangements SO often arise. However.
in this case, the gem Of a boy, beau
tiful six-year-older. who does not under
stand why his papa and mamma live
apart, proves the means Of reuniting
them, and the story ends with a scene
that must satisfy even the most ardent
reader.
The other story moves in the realm
not Of brownstone fronts and high-step-
ping bays. but in that Of the stockyards
and dreary tenements. The hero, a
father of more children than he can
support, runs away from home only TO
feel the computations of conscience, and
to return a penitent man eager for the
drudgery still awaiting him.. He puts
his arm around his Irish wife, as they
sit in the doorway Of their little home,
close to the pig sites, and he says: DO
you remember our weddin' night In
Wicklow, when we walked home from
the church fourteen miles that afternoon,
and sat on the steps Of our little cabin
and watched the stars come out? We're
older, and haven't the siren th-and all
the mouths to feed! But I've more
strenth in my soul now. Kitty, and
wouldn't give. tonight for that night
Kitty. No. this is bether."
There is a fine moral for all June
brides and bridegrooms in stories IKE
these. They make it clear that the
business Of living together as man and
wife, year after year, when Things go
right and when things go wrong, Is es-
sentially a disciplinary business, and
that the inevitable trials which arise,
the Observation-Disclosures and the heart.
burnings, are all capable Of being turned
TOW ard the deepening of affection rather
requisite is that both partners to the
union shall understand at the outset
that the real test of married life comes
not in the. honeymoon, not when the
procession of congratulants is filing up
with blessings on their tongues not when
things are smooth and easy and raptur-
Gus, but when both in brownstohe man.
sions and in the tenements there is the
clash Of opinions, the difference of tastes,
the contrary desires-then and then only
love has its full testing. Then 1t will be
seen whether the thought of either con-
corning marriage was generous and I'M
selfish enough to cover such times of
stress and strain.
Who are the happiest married people?
Not those who have never disagreed in
opinion If one is only the echo Of the
other that means q Subordination and
not real union. The happiest marriages
ensue when two strong natures, with
out either requiring the sacrifice of the
others individuality. join their fortunes
and their hearts in the expectation that
there will be mutual forbearance, trust
and burden bearing. Great Is the happi-
ness of the golden days. when love Is
young and ardent and demonstrative.
Greater still the happiness of tested
affection that holds and deepens in the
midst Of what Lowell calls the every
dayness OF this working world when the
strain Of real life makes severe drains
on the reserves Of patience and tender
ness.
1t is a long Journey. dear young lovers,
on which you have entered. 1t may lead
you sometimes through dark valleys and
up rocky heights. But wherever 1t leads.
you can make 1t way to peace and
blessedness. And as you drive proudly
away let's send alter you. instead of an
old shoe or handful of rice. this splen-
did thought from the recently issued BIZ
ography or Ahce freeman falmer,
former president of Wellesley College.
Writing to a girl friend on the eve of her
wedding. she said: keep happy and grow
wise in keeping another happy. Be I'M
selfish. dear. sympathy is the great want
of the human heart, mans heart as we'll
as woman's. You must teach him how
to sympathize With you in the broad
sense. and let you sympathize with him
in little as we'll as in great things. Then
you will feel always that you are bound
up together and that everything you each
do is full of the other. That, I think,
must be being married. and that, you
know, isn't the work of an hour or
year. Then. no matter what comes, you
can never really be separated"
THE PARSON.