The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-09
The Old Folks
= Matrimonial Exchange.
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An elderly lady with pair Of short
gray curls on each temple stepped into
the private Office OF Philander Shanks,
merchant. Mr.. Shanks rose, bowed,
pointed to a seat and asked her what
he could do for her.
Il have come to see you, Mr.. Shanks,
ON very peculiar mission. have a
plan which must preface by bit Of
explanation"
The lady paused and looked as II she
was hunting 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 loneli.
ness OF old age. Many 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-
tunities of youth to form connection
which would have resulted in sons and
daughters growing up about us and
Madam" interrupted MIR. Shanks.
~you are describing me. have built
up a fortune, but have neglected to
build up a home. l have reached the
time when l would gladly give the
fortune for the home. What Is there
for me when leave this office? A
miserable existence till the next morn
ing. when resume my duties. dine.
alone, spend lonely evening at my
club, and when ! so to my desolate
apartments
.And l." interrupted the LADY,
live In a room by myself. manage to
ret along during the day, since ! am
interested In several charitable assocl-
atoms president Of one and secretary
or another-but when evening comes
how can 90 out alone and where can
goY'
Does your plan aim to relieve such
conditions. madamT'
TT does. You have made 1t very
easy for me to propose 1t. ] knew you
were q bachelor and past-well, past
Afty."
~Fifty-five, madam"
Therefore knew you would sympa-
thize with me. l 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
me with their funny ways, their
..And grown, madam. | would give
my check for million for son to
succeed me In this business"
"And IL / had had children when l
was from twenty to thirty l should
now be petting my grandchildren. |
love them best from eighteen months
10 four years, from the time they are
learning to walk and to talk till they
begin to crave playmates."
AAnd think what fine thing 1t 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
ber of the exchange. | would like you
to enter yours as the first man MEM
Der"
'4Gladly, 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 home without 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" "
He took check book from a drawer.
%What name, madam"
-Spinney-D. A. Spinney."
What a coincidencem remarked Mr.
gbanks nausino in his work laying