South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-06

Sometimes" remarked the bache-
] Tor. apropos of nothing at all. Il
| think we aren't half. appreciated.
The widow followed his gaze 10
the far corner Of the restaurant,
where a pretty young thing in pink
| tulle and a well set-up young man
sat gazing absorbedly into each
others eyes.
"We?' Who" she inquired po-
litely.
we bachelors. Now there" and
he indicated the girl in pink, is
an instance of base ingratitude! 1
educated that grill"
"You-what?" The widow laid
down her salad-fork in frank as
| constituent
Taught her all the new dance
steps," explained the bachelor hasti-
ly, land how 10 order a luncheon,
and to play golf, and what colors
10 wear, and how 10 use her eyes.
and-ah all the really useful &C
complishments. She was as verdant
and uninteresting as that salad you
are eating-and now look at her
Vamping a perfectly innocent youth
with ten thousand a year,"
do you mean 10 say that you
actually instructed her"
"Oh. no indeedi" broke In the
bachelor. 'T fattered her-put in a
word here and there, you know, at
the psychological moment. Walked
her up to her own charms and posi-
bilities. Every girl has to be court
ed at least once before she becomes
interesting. 1t brings her out, and
gives her eclat. Ii is a real charity
but they never see it that way.
somehow" And the bachelor sigh
ed.
Il see" The widows voice was as
smooth and chilly and sweet as a
lemon ice. But IL isn't a charity
it's your duty. what else is a bache-
lor for?"
What would the world do with
out us?" reiOined the bachelor, with
rash complacency. Now you-for
instance"
"Oh, 1 always got along some
how, before 1 met you, Mr.. Weather
by the widow murmured sweetly.
We'll. you might" conceded the
bachelor, but who would fiatter
the married women, and flirt with
the debutantes? A bachelors whole
life Is one long sweet sacrifice, In the
education OF other mems wives"
Perhaps" suggested the widow.
their own husbands might flatter
! the married women, and"
They might" admitted the bach
elor, but they don't! / know. by the
way in which mild compliment al
ways goes to a married woman's
head and makes her positively dizzy.
A woman can't expect a man to pay
her bills and pay her little compu-
ments and graceful attentions too
to hook her gowns up the back, and
then joyfully and CALAMITY get down
on his knees 10 tie her shoe laces-
to wait for her. and then TO wait on
her. IL isn't human nature Bachelors
are a necessity. tell you-and a
luxury. They are the shock alb
sorbers on life; the trimmings on the
dull edge OF society; the hors
d'oeuvres of the lovefeast-"
THE potted palm on LIES piazza!"
broke in the widow laughing mock
ingly. They nre nice TO fill In with"
she acknowledged. "at house-parties
and heterogeneous dinners. And
when they get old and faded and
passe-"
What"
They are convenient 20 have
about as dancing partners for the
wall-flowers, and ushers at we'd
dings, and witnesses in divorces, and
godfathers at christenings-"
And godsends at summer-resorts."
put In the bachelor. with a grin. I'll
tell you. being a bachelor is a highly
specialized vocation. II absorbs all a
mans time and energy"
What! Just the simple act OF re-
naming single?" The widow looked
incredulous.
That alone" returned the bache-
Tor with dignity, lis a life-work. re-
curing art, courage. talent and skill
If one Is n sincere bachelor. A
bachelor in the truest, highest sense
is not merely a man who hasn't
married-yet; he is a man who can
marry. at any moment. but-but-"
But WON'T" snapped the widow
But knows better" corrected the
bachelor. "A man who can afford 70
marry-but prefers 70 keep a motor