Middletown transcript., 1916-12-30
GETTING
START
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Nathaniel c. Fowler, Jr.
Copyright, 1915, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicatel
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.
"Tve something to tell you," said
Robert one day, "and it's in strict con.
f1dence"
go ahead, Bob"
"Tm thinking of getting married" !"
Thinking of it, or have you de-
cided?"
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 smile.
'Guess So"
'You want my advice?"
That's it," replied Robert. "I'll tell
you who she is.'
mot just yet, my boy. Let's discuss
it upon general principles first, and
specifically afterward. Are you sure
you love the girl?"
"Do you think I'd propose to her if
I wasn't sure?" exclaimed Robert.
"No, but you may think you're sure
without being so.''
"But how can l 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 if you
don't like it, but you can't get rid of
a 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, 'let's get
down to brass tacks. I'm your 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!"
''Ill 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, 1 don't remember. old
boy"
Bob, if 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 it companion
ship and community of interest, de-
sire to work together as we'll 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?"
''Well, honestly" replied Robert, "I
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, 1 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
means Of livelihood for both of you.
Nobody expects man to see only his
wife, but if he does not feel tEat 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. If you don't
know why you want a thing, whether
It is a motor car or a girl, don't take
either. When in doubt, wait"