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ingle
Ben Lyon Is All for His Mother and All Against Marriage, Companionate or Conventional
By Madge Dressen
Evans
YOU may say "Yes, it's beautiful. It's touching. But what has it to do with Ben Lyon on the moot subject of Companionate Marriage?"
It has a great deal to do with it. "As a twig is bent, so is the tree inclined" means, translated, as a young man is reared so, in later life, will he think and act.
Ben Lyon, need I say, after quoting his mother's poem, was reared in an atmosphere of home and family love. He is the baby of the family. Before his birth, knowing that he would be her last child, his mother prayed to God daily for a son. For a son who would be distinguished and world-famous. A son to whom she could point with shining pride. She loved the stage and had once dreamed of such a career for herself. In those days "nice girls" didn't go on the stage. She had to abandon her own dreams. She dreamed them again for her baby.
And the dream came true.
When her baby was born, his mother watched over each developing thought. She entered into all his little-boy and young-manhood plans, enthusiasms and despairs. She guided and counseled, and when the stage did actually make its early and predestined appeal, it was his mother who read his lines over with him well into the midnight-oily hours. It was his mother who coached him and planned bits of business and imbued him with the loving confidence that has made
him today the headliner he is.
This happy home life has had its lasting effect on Ben Lyon. His mother and father were
>■■>*-'
Across the page is Ben Lyon's mother ; and next to this is how, according to her poem, he seems to her. Close to the poem is Ben in his bearded days
ALWAYS BABY MINE
My baby now is six feet tall, But he's my baby after all. He cuddles me upon his knee nd whispers words of love to me.
Oh, I'm as happy as can be,
Baby Mine.
CHORUS . . . Each week I'd bring him a new toy. And watch him clap his hands for joy. Now he brings me flowers and pearls, Just the same as other girls. Oh, I'm as happy as can be, Baby Mine.
CHORUS . . . He has grown strong, but as for me, As years go on, more helpless be. He helps me walk, at home and out, Instead of carting him about. A man full grown, to man's estate, But always, Baby Mine.
CHORUS Baby Mine, Baby Mine, You're my baby always, Baby Mine. I'm as happy as can be, Proud that God gave you to me You'll always be my baby, Baby Mine.
(By Aileen Lyon, Ben's Mother)
Mother and Dad. His sisters were dear to him. His home was a sanctuary where stained things did not enter. Why should they enter now?
Ben's Wild Oats
Den has sowed wild oats. What young man has not? The oatless fields usually belong to the hypocrites. Ben is not a hypocrite. He has looked on mud as well as stars and doesn't hesitate to say so if the occasion calls for plain dealing.
But deep in his heart is the little boy who lived at home with his happily married mother and father, his sisters, his own room, his friends, his studies. The sound family life that keeps a man steady even while he plays with new ideas and various hearts and hopes.
This background is the reason
for Ben's not believing in Judge
Lindsey's Companionate Marriage.
Marriage, for Ben, is marriage — or
(Continued on page 95)
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