The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-04-14
MATRIMONIAL BROKERAGE.

New York Herald have observed adver.
tisemehts under the head of "MatrimoDi.
al, in which persons of both sexes an
nouce themselves as candidates, aud in
vite correspondence with this view. II
we believe these announcemen ents, the ad-
vertisers, almost without exception. are
patterns of virtue, honor and intelligence,
generally, too, of refinement, wealth and
high social position.
1t is not very long since an advertise
ment Informed the public that young
lady of good education AID accomplished d
manners, being convinced that the form
alities of society are mostly absurd and
restrictive of free individual development,
would like to correspond with man Of
independence and sense, with view to
matrimony. She was twenty years Of
age, moved in respectable society, and
believed she could make good man hap
Py. Any such person was invited to ad-
dress Betty Ballou, at the Union Square
Post Office.
A young man answered this advertise
ment under the signature Julius B. De-
foe, as follows:
"MIss BETTY BALLoU | have read
your advertisement in this mornings Her
aid, and have not the slightest hesitation
in saying that | am man of sense. That
| am man of independence would clear
ly appear to you if We should ever be
married, for ! would not promise to pay
any more attention to wife than choose;
and if l wanted to 60 to the theatre OF
opera with anybody else, as l probably
should, l should do it in spite of her. In
short, she could do as she pleased, if she
chose to. and if she didn't Id make her,
and I should do as pleased whether she
was willing or not. If that is rot inde
pendent enough for you, | beg you not to
answer this letter.
"That l am sensible, clearly appears
from my mode of life. In the first place
| have spacious apartments with pri-
vate family in Fifth Avenue, and man
age my affairs in Wall street-with about
four hours labor per dieE-in such m an
ner that | have as uuch money as want
to spend OF give away, 60 where | have a
mind to, smoke in the parior when at
homo, and get drunk as often as | am
disposed.
"If this suits you, write and address me
at the Broadway Post Office. If it don t,
do what you like.
II will say, however. that [ should be
happy to see you, and think you will not
find NE a savage. If you are disposed
to crafty me, state when and where We
can have an interview.
Yours, respectfully,
julius B. DEFoE."
Three days after depositing the above
letter in the Union Square Post Office,
Mr.. Defoe called at the Broadway Office,
and found reply awaiting bin. 1t was
written in neat plain hand, and the pur'
port of it was, that Miss Betty was curl
Gus to see him, but was conscious of the
improperly of inviting stranger to call
upon her. II, however, he would be at
Taylor's Saloon at two o'clock on a GER
tain day, he would meet her there. "Go
as far as you caD," said the letter, ION
the left hand side, take newspaper in
your hand and read, SO may know you.
When | enter l will recognize you with a
nod; then, please, come and sit by me. t"
A few minutes before the appointed
time, Mr.. Defoe, having provided himself
with newspaper, went to the place de-
signated, took a seat as requested, and
commenced reading. He soon observed
young man enter, walk near him, and
look annoyed at bis presence. Finally,
however. the stranger sat down immedi-
ately in front of him, and with many looks
expressive Of "what business have you
here" also took out paper and COM
menced reading.
"UnfortuDate," thought Mr.. Defoe.-
"If this fellow keeps on reading, she may
mistake him for myself. However, when
she sees be does not recognize her, she
will try me-"
While these thoughts were passing
through his mind, au elderly gentleman
with very red nose, also came~up and
politely requested Mr.. Defoe to 20 for
ward and give him the seat be occupied
81 would not ask it, sir" be added, "had
| not particular reasons. which | need
not explain for SO doing"
"And t. rejoined Defoe, "would not
deny SO reasonable request had | not
particular reasons, which need not ex-
plain. for doing So"
Nothing remarkable" soliloquiscd
Defoe, ain three men reading papers al
the same time in row; yet under circum.
stauces, it is singular coincidence. p
And this suggestion derived additional
eight from the fact that few other per.
sons in the saloon were at that time read
ing.
Bot Mr.. Defoe's astonisbment was con.
siderably increased when third, fourth
a tiftb, sixth, aud finally seventh, en-
tered, aud in his turn seemed anxious
to get rear seat, but failing in this, took
the last one unoccupied, each at the same
time com mencipg Immediately to read.
Mr.. Defoe thought there was something
strange in this, sDd as mystery always
pleased him. could not suppress q smile