The Clio messenger., 1915-12-10
GETTING A START
By
NATHANIEL C. FOWLER. Lr.
-;e
MARRIAGE.

Robert and william were chums.
They were junior statesmen. both had
made good" In a moderate way, and
both gave promise of ultimately be-
coming successful.
"Pve something to tell you," said
Robert one day, land it's in strict con-
fidence."
go ahead, Bob"
I'm thinking of getting married"
Thinking Of it, or have you de-
cidedf"
I'm pretty close to the finish. |
guess"
Have you asked the girl?"
mo, but I've about made UP my
mind to propose"
Think she'll say 'yes?" asked Will
liam with a smile.
Guess So"
You want my advice?"
That's it." replied Robert. "I'll tell
sou who she is.'
mot just yet, my boy. Let's discuss
It upon general principles first. and
specifically afterward. Are you sure
Jou love the grip"
do you think I'd propose to her II
/ wasn't sure?" exclaimed Robert.
mo. but you may think you're sure
without being So"
But how can be surer?"
my dear fellow" replied William
earnestly, marriage is the most sol
emn contract you or anybody else can
make. 1t requires more consideration
than any other action. You can lease
a house and sublet it If you want to,
and you can change your job IL you
don't like it, but you can't get rid of
wife so easily. 1t is lifelong prop
osition, or should be. You say you
love her. If you had selected an au-
tomobile, you could probably give a
dozen or more definite reasons why
you had made the choice. Can you
give me six real definite, solid reasons
why you have picked out this girl to be
your wife?"
Robert frowned.
Bob" resumed William, "lets get
down to brass tacks. I'm youl friend,
the best friend you have. Give me the
first reason why you want to marry
this girl"
Because I'm in love with her"
"All right. Give me one reason why
you are in love with her. In what par
ticular respect does she appeal to
your"
"She's pretty, she's sweet and dainty,
and, hang it, man, love her!"
"I'n admit she's pretty, but beauty
in itself doesn't remain net in the
matrimonial market, and sweetness is
relative. What have you talked about
principally since you metz"
Honestly, l don't remember, old
boy"
Bob, II you had many things in
common, wouldn't you remember
something you talked about? Do you
love her, or are you infatuated with
her? Love carries with 1t companion
ship and community of interest. a de.
sire to work together as well as to
play together. Has this young wom'
an shown any interest in your work
Would you be happy with her if you
were to see no one else for the next
40 years?"
We'll, honestly" replied Robert, 81
can't remember that she ever did show
any particular interest in my work
AS for being alone with her the rest
OF my life, shall not have to. have
other interests"
If this young woman is sufficiently
In love with you to marry you, she
ought to be at least somewhat inter
ested in the work which is to be a
means of livelihood for both of you
Nobody expects a man to see only his
wife, but II he does not feel that he
would be willing and ready to, and that
he could be happy with her alone. he
has no business to marry. Go home
Bob. Write out what you want your
wife to be, irrespective Of this particu.
lar woman. Then ask yourself with
out prejudice whether or not you have
any tangible evidence that she can
meet the requirements. II you don't
know why you want thing. whether
II is a motor car or girl, don't take
either. When in doubt. wait"