Most of the young people in the early nineties got married--some married school sweethearts, some married sudden-like and some courted six or seven prospects before they made their choice.

I was in the later group as my married friends never seemed to like who I picked out. They always had charming, good looking and very sensible girls that they could guarantee to make my life happy and contented. A man hardly ever used advice, or his noodle, when it comes to picking out a wife and I don't think it would make any difference any way.

Most married women can't stand a happy bachelor, but the single ones seem to appreciate them. I knew some gals that preferred married men, but I always thought they were born with sympathetic souls.

I was best man about five times, so I was of some use at this period--but I had a hard time understanding why they married each other as they always seemed to be unworthy of each other.

I remember lot of brides: some with tears in their eyes, one who fainted at the alter. I had to go outside to get some water, but found the tin cup at the water faucet was chained, so I had to go back inside and take the dish with the ring in it off the alter, take it outside, wash it and refill it with water and take it back inside, but when I got to the bride she was all through fainting and had an angelic look on her face and seemed to be in another world. This marriage was a success with five girls and two boys. The groom was very happy until the girls and boys grew up and started to earn money and then they fired him out the front door. He is kind of a bachelor now, but too old to enjoy it.

Eventually I did get married, had a honeymoon, but still a little confused as the minister's wife played "The End of a Perfect Day" after the ceremony and I never could make up my mind whether she had a sense of humor or if she was taking a small dig at her husband.

I have no kick coming as I had about twenty years of happiness in my thirty years of marriage and I'll tell anybody that's a good record just like batting 375 in any man's league. We had lots of grief, sadness and lots of sickness, loads of good times and happiness. If I had it to do over again, I would marry the same lovable blonde that is if she would have me and that is one thing I will never find out.

I really think a man, or a girl, should look over a few of the opposite sex and try and make a good deal. The idea that marriages are arranged in heaven is a lot of hog-wash. All that can do is make you wish you had gone to some other match-maker or to a fortune teller.

It really is best to take your time as it won't spoil, pick your best bet and trust to luck like most people do, and you'll be surprised how often that pays off.

Marriage is a natural thing and everybody should try it, at least once, and then judge for yourself.