The San Francisco call., 1910-11-06

NUDDEN. secret or runaway mar
riages almost never result hap
~ PLY. How can they? The very
fact that the step Is taken in this man
ner shows the existence OF barrier-a
barrier placed for protection. not for
hurdle racing.
The recklessness that takes no ac-
count of defenses in so serious a mat
ter is not a very trustworthy attribute
upon which to found welded life 1t
speaks strongly of impulse unrestrained.
Of selfshness. Of shallow affection. OF
lack Of Judgment, OF disregard for con-
sequences.
The majority of such marriages IS
contracted before the parties to them
have attained the age Of 21, while still
children, infants. If you will, in the eyes
OF the law. and therefore incapable OF
transacting business involving a legal
signature. This precaution prevents
them from becoming victims to their
own immaturity and the unscrupuIous
Vaccinations Of others. If in CONNER
cial affairs. questions Of mere dollars
land cents. they are unified to decide
for themselves. how can it be expected.
now can they themselves expect, to ex-
hlbit discrimination in the commodity
OF human nature. with its changing. con-
hictins. deceptive characteristics?
There is no other such thorough
teacher as experience. Hence the man
who has had years of practical bust
ness life can give very excellent advice
to the boy starting in. Hence. likewise.
parents can speak with authority of the
things which concern married life in its
every phase.
NO other relation is entered into with
so little preparation. with so little
Weighing Of consequences. with so lit
Tie consideration of the parties thereto.
NO man would enter into business part
nership with another without knowl-
edge OF his personality. equipment. re-
sources. methods. A girl is. particular
before accepting a position to inquire
what will be expected of her, what
equivalent she will receive. what man
ner of man her prospective employer
Is And yet these are connections in
volying primarily a commercial interest,
affecting TO a degree certainly-but far
less deeply. lastingly, painfulIy-health.
comfort, happiness. Should the ar
rangement not prove agreeable or sue
cessful, it may be terminated at will
without embarrassment, impaired repu-
tation or membranes
The marriage bond Is of a very differ
ent nature. Every human interest Is
involved in its contamination, and that
at the closest range. 1t affects not only
the purse but the person in its most
intimate sense. 1t is concerned not only
with the present and the future. but
with the past as well.
The objections which parents urge
against this step are urged almost al
ways in the best interest OF their chill
dren. Every young man and woman
wants 10 be happy in MARRIAGE every
parent wants his children to be so. But
happiness is dependent upon many
things. and the same set of things does
not spell happiness for all persons.
Young people who have been INDUCED,
shielded. amply provided for. permitted
their own way, are likely. when the
wnim takes them to marry; to run
of defective training The runawavs.
though blameless, nevertheless must
suffer the consequences their act inn
poses ana they are always unpleasant.
The youngest daughter of a large
family waSs receiving the attentions OF
young man of whom her parents dis
approved He had had very little edu-
cation, was her inferior in birth and
breeding. but he was handsome. had
pleasing manners, was devoted FL
naAy, business calling him TO another
city, he persuaded the girl to elope.
her JOY was Of short duration He was
bully, with violent temper seldom
under control; he was abusive to the
point Of striking her. He offended her
Ir1ends and insulted her parents He
crank, and gambled. and quarreled with
his employers. After her baby was born
ne was especially ugly and brutal She
did all her own work in spite of ilI
health, economized and slaved. yet kept
her home and herself immaculate. She
was beautiful, wonderful manager a
splendid mother, a woman any man
should have been proud Of But he had
no respect, no consideration for women;
regarded them merely as a part of the
domestic machinery devised for the com
fort OF men. He lied to her continually.
was suspicious and cruel. Disillusion-
ment was soon complete. She endured
this life for three miserable years, then
she took her baby and went home She
would nave escaped much suffering had
she listened to her mother
another young girl went for a few
Gays to coast resort. There she met
man, resident OF her own city,