The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-11-07
A Graduating Essay that Won d
Husband.

Among the graduates of the High
School at Biddefurd, Me in 1878, was a
young lady of nineteen, who read an
essay ON "After Graduation, What?" in
which she gave utterance to the following
commendable sentiment:
The "lords of creation" have been COM
pared tn sturdy oaks, and we the vines that
cling to and Irvine around them; but this
metaphor, if ever pertinent, to use a slang
phrase, has long since "played out" We
have all heard of the $4,000 oakless vines
in Massachusetts, to say nothing Of the
uncounted thousands in Maine, and there
are too many oaks that can scarcely sup
port themselves, to say nothing of their
supporting anything else. l
much prefer a life of activity and honest
exertion, and | believe that the world
owes me living if | can earn it, and |
expect it on no other condition.
This essay was published entire in the
local papers of the town, and attracted
considerable attention, the extract we
have given above being copied into many
Of the leading journals of the larger
cities. One of these papers fell into the
hands of gentleman who was returning
L
town, Ia this State, and he was so struck
with the sentiment avowed that he cut
out the extract and placed it in his peck
etbook. He was then married man.
In 1876, his wife having died, he inclosed
the slip to friend in Biddeford, asking
him if it was written, as had been assert
ed, by girl graduate Of the High School
there and, if so, if the lady was married
or single, etc. In due time he received
an answer giving him the lady's name,
the fact that she was still heart whole
and fancy free, and other particulars re-
lating to her family that were of most
agreeable character. The Youngstown
man at once opened correspondence
with the lady, which, as it progressed
drew them nearer and nearer in spirit
until at last an engagement of marriage
was entered into between them. This
fact was also published in the papers, and
not long since the New York Tribune
spoke of the matter as follows:
A graduating essay may be made as
useful as Il matrimonial advertisement, if
country editor will only be good enough
to publish it. a young lady in Bidde-
ford, Me-, wrote beautiful one last sum-
mer; took great pains in copying it, 50
as to give every "g" and every "y' long
loop; linked the pages with delicate blue
ribbon, and then read it with such alarm
ing grace that an editor published it in
his paper In this remarkable essay the
young authorcss declared that she fully
intended to earn her own living without
aid from anv man. Now, it happened
L., -, n,,r
the paper, read the essay, and honored
the girl for giving uttcrance to this senti-
ment; and correspondence ensued,
which gradually led up to wedding.
As is usual i'll speaking OF Western
men, the Tribune fell into an error about
the gentleman's home, but otherwise the
article was all an fat. 1t remains, how
ever, for US to tell the story correctly
About two weeks ago the Youngstown
gentleman packed his carpetsack full of
new clothes, kissed his three little chill
dren adieu, shook hands with his friends,
and took the train for the East, arriving
in due time at the hrmc of his literary
inamorata. He was warmly welcomed
by the hospitable Yankees, and after a
few days he was instrumental in having
his intended father and mother-in-law
send us the following invitation:
Mr.. and Mrs. John W. Eden request
your presence at the marriage of their
daughter, Eldena, to Andrew }. Packard,
Wednesday morning, February %, 1878,
at 10 o'clock, at the residence of her
grandfather, the Hon. John Milliken,
Buxton, Saco, Me.
Mr.. Packard is native of Warren, O.,
but he has lived for years in Youngstown,
where he is prominently engaged in the
iron business. He is one of the best
Democrats ON the Western Reserve, and
for years has been member of the Dem
ocratic State Central Committee.
In view of Miss Elden's success, we
should not be surprised if the iavorite
themes for graduating essays at Nassar
aud other female colleges henceforth will
be "The Washtub rs "a Iygiepic Aid
"Thc -Esthetcs of Cooking" Ten Dol
lars a Week Enough (and to Spare for
Two" Lets Give Him Taffy Till He's
Caught" etc.-CncinnaH Enquirer