Connecticut western news., 1912-04-04
THOSE MARRIAGEABLES.
List of Canaan EIigibIes Printed In
 Leap Year, 1880,

| Tn US issue or March A, 1000, thirty two years ago-eight Leap Years back The News printed list of the "ehgible bachelors and widowers of Canaan" with something of their characteristics and qualifications, in response to a request from correspondent writing over the nom de plume, "Evangeline." This cor respondent, whose letter had appeared in the previous issue, wrote, among other pointed things;
 "We are practically obliged, by the rules of etiquette, to occupy a rear pew in all social movements, while the entire management is ostensibly placed in our own hands. We are to sit still, fold our hands, and speak when we're spoken to, come when we're called If Chawles sees fit to call on us we must be at home and fixed up,' no matter if pressing household duties demand attention, nor if we have to forego the anticipated pleasure of call on a neighbor. If he sees fit on Sunday night to stay until I2, we must sit up and be bright and enter 1 taining, even if we can scarcely keep our eyes open, while he gives us taffy' and talks big, occasionally putting in a good word for himself, pointing, as a proof of his devotion, to his willingness to keep such late hours for us! All this we are willing to submit to. Chawles is nice, and we rather enjoy his company; but then, Chawles doesn't know every thing, nor is it designed that he should. Neither, perhaps, is it his fault that he entertains the idea that our mission is | simply to please the 'sterner sex'-to> an | ticipate their whims and wishes and that we are unreasonable and ungrateful to expect reciprocal treatment other than they, in their provident wisdom, see fit to bestow. That isthe idea against which we contend. We claim to have some rights which even Chawles is bound to respect. We claim the privilege of tell ing Chawles that we are indisposed and cannot receive company this evening" We claim the right to ask Chawles to take us out riding or to walk, or to the ball. We claim the right to ask Chawles to marry us. We claim the right to place our thumb to our nose with pro- priety, and defy the conventional Mrs. Grundy and her horde of toadies *~ There are plenty of marriageable men and women in our town, as well as in others, living from day to day out of their sphere-like one kid glove, useless without its proper mate. A little investi- gation will reveal to them their destiny. Reckless indifference defers the search and so they drift along. Nowthe part of the programme assigned to you, MT. Editor, in this grand reform, Is to show up these faltering ones to the gaze of one another. Give the names and descrip- ton of the gentlemen of our town, that the virtue of the Leap Year prerogative may be tested, and we bespeak such a matrim onial harvest as has never been surpassed; for the American woman in earnest, and with purpose in view, will muster up courage to approach the pop ping point, while the gent is figuring on the chances of refusal"
 Deferring to the above appeal, The News Society editor of that generation proceeded to compile a directory of Who's Who in Canaan Bachelordom, and printed the list, as requested, with such biographical data as seemed appro- priate. A review of the names that made up that list, is of no little interest at this time, after lapse of B years, as showing the inroads which death and matrimony have made in the ranks of the society gentry of that day. It is re lated by some of the surviving "oldest in- habitants" that the responsible editor ! ,trsowly escaped annihilation after the list was printed, and there is said to be faint, vague, lingering impression in the halls of his own memory that it was only by combination of saving graces includ- ing diplomacy, expert lodging, interces- sion of friends and promises of future good behavior, that he escaped the fruits of his offending, in the form of one law suit, three horsewhippings, one tar-and- feather treatment with ride on a rail, ! J ings.
 The list of eligibles, as printed, includ- ed: Milton Roraback, now deceased, married Mrs. Julia Capron; Lorenzo Lawrence, deceased; Silas Knickerbock- CT, deceased; George s. Fuller, married Miss Hattie Allyn, of Chapinville, who died some years ago; Dr. J. D. Clemans, deceased, who married Miss Frances Fuller; Fred Gillette, married Miss Min nie Deming; Ed. J. Prescott, deceased, married Miss Genevieve Clark; Clarence Humphrey, married Miss Munson, of New Haven; Fred Lawrence, married ; "Billy" Humphrey, who died unmarried ; G. B. Gardner, married Miss Jennie Me
 Intyre, and now a grandpa, living in Coxsackie, N. Y; Frank A. Peet, de-
 IL