Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-11-01
A BLIND ORDER.

strange and fascinating world, in which
there we're pitfalls against which my bust
ness facts and figures were Of no avail
found that women differed very widely from
men. PERHAPS they were not more tricky
than men Of business; but their tricks were
less Transparent TO me. Indeed, many OF
them we're quite opaque | was often in the
dark as 10 the purpose Of certain ladies that
met; but, while mystifed and puzzled at
times, WIS also delighted. There was no
denying the charm Of woman's society.
felt that had wasted great many years
| do not Intend to conceal my object in
entering the society Of ladies-I wanted a
wife To DO frank, had vague idea OF the
kind wanted In business, when O man or
ders bill of goods without first inquiring
tho price and particulars, he gives what Is
called blind order. When Ipigeon holed
my papers and closed my Office desk with
bang. pocketed the key and sailed out to Sc
euro what felt / needed-a good wife-l
gave blind order In effect | did o most
unbnsiness-li like thing. blush now to think
Of IT.; but when a man pauses in his eager
race after dollars to cultivate matrinony he
is generally apt to give blind order. What
can be know OF tho ways Of womeni Abso-
lutely nothing He learns rapidly, 1T is true,
but it requires long experience TO meet them
on their own ground and beat them with
their own weapons.
| shall be pleased IL any profit or interest
attaches to the result Of my blind order, and
| wish to assure the reader that it was the
only one | ever gave.
Among the young ladies that met was
Miss Blanche Ridgeway. How shall de-
scribe heri Business nomenclature cannot
help me, and | abominate romantic word
pictures. Miss Blanche was a very sweet
girl When seated near her | was conscious
OF q feeling Of shall | call 1t pleasuref The
net total Of prosperous years business has
often caused me happiness, but my feeling In
the presence of Miss Blanche was not the
same Her voice was quite passable, and
when listening to her it seemed as il might
have some romance in me after all; and
when in church she turned her bright eyes
on me-
Fudgel Htldlesticksl |, plain man of
business, writing such gushi Pray overlook
tho boyish folly.
Miss Blanche had sister, Miss Mary, .
palmer girl, but sensible and business like.
Ny reason inclined me to Miss Mary; my
heart (which | regret to say had not hardened
with my head said, marry Mis- Blanche. !
faced the Stuation coollv / want "A wife,
said |, and here are two aides. One is y,
the other POSSIBLY 80; one is pretty aud is in-
clined to he lly ut times the other palmer,
but sensible aud womanly. Miss Blanche is
a sweet girl and she Is young There is no
denying that a young girl has fascination
that belongs to her years. | will ask Miss
Blanche
Ny resolution made, called on her.
II am here on important business, Hiss
Blanche" said |. when we were seated
Indeed she replied, her eyebrows arch
ing in surprise
Yes" | went on, II have thought the
matter over, Ny mind is made up. l have
a question to ask you"
What can it be, Mr. Quoterf'
"Will you marry mef"
1t was plain, business like question, call
ing for plain, business like answer put
it honestly and in good faith. To my amaze
mcnt. Miss Blanche almost tainted
what Is wrongt' cried
why, Nj Quoterp she replied, indefi-
nitely, turning red and pale by turns, and
looking positively pretty.
pray be caimer. Miss Blanche This is o
matter calling for GOODNESS and judgment"
But 1t was SO unexpected, Mr. Quoter
You startled me"
II regret it very much, Miss Blanche
What is your answcrf'
Il cannot answer now. Mr. Quoter.
never dreamed of such thing. I must talk
to mamma
Certainly. Miss Blanche, very proper
decision ! am sorry to have disturbed YOU"
and | rose to 60
"A moment. please, Mr. Quoter cannot
talk now 1t was so sudden. will speak to
mamma"
"When shall call. Miss Blanchef
III come to church next Sabbath morn
Ing. MI Quoter, Trinity. you know, the an-
swer will be- she paused in tho utmost
confusion, blushing quite charmingly.
And in case you do not come TO church,
Miss B!anchef
Then the answer will DO no." she an
swcred, very family, looking at a figure in
tie carpet.
An old idea, Hiss Blanche But how am
to knowf
"Why, surely you will be there she
did rot finish tho sentence. | really believe
size meant to call NE stupid She seemed to
be nettled.
Certainly" said 1; II had not thought of
going 10 church-that ia, had other ar
Judgements, but | Will break & prior engage
ment and be there l wish you good even
Inc, Miss Blanche"
In going out met Miss Mary in the hall
Sue shooE hands with mo cordially. A fine
girl, l said, mentally, as let her; Miss
Blanche has the advantage of her only in
re6der cheeks and brighter eyes.
The following Sabbath morning confess
l felt somewhat furried The night before
had not slept we'll Business troubles had
sometimes KEEP; mo awake, and the excite
Inent OF successful deals had ut times broken
III upon my rest; but this restlessueSs was not
from the same cause. A vague and rather
pleasant feeling IN the region OF the heart, a
strange e-pectancy. kept NE awake for
hours It took me longer than usual to sc.
ready for church The ct Of my Clothes did
not please I2e my necStie would rot remain
straight, and the polish or my shoes seemed
very dull At timex my heart gave a most
understandable jump. When AZ last found
myself ia che St.eet, il seemed as If a great
many people were looking a. me, and l began
to fear that there was something unusual in
my appearance. The sun WAS not warm, but
my cheeks burned | confess with shame
kDat my neart UuItpreu NDen reached the
church door.
enter thus infinitely into the details OF
my feelings and appearance because this
narrative Is in the nature Of confession. a
confession Of weakness. The reader may
urge that confessions are unbusiness like
retort by insisting that love making is IN
business like from beginning to end, and |
uefy him to show me anything that 10
more so
paused at the church door There wa,
nothing to prevent me from going in, but /
hesitated Something in me kept asking; Is
Miss Blanche theref My heart beat faster
than had ever known it to beat before, and
something rose IN my throat and half choked
ME.
As | started in, hesitating, undecided, !
met my business friend Sellers.
Gracious, Quoter, are you sickF' he asked
Never better"
You are Is pale as a sheet" said he.
went slowly up the aisle There was an
occupant in the Ridgeway pewl Ny heart
beat fast; Miss Branches answer was yesl
When l came opposite the pew looked at
the lady with the sweetest smile could call
up. To my inexpressible establishment |
found myself smiling at Miss Mary
Never had been so astonished or so dis
appointed Yet. perhaps, it was all chance.
The hour was early and the church almost
empty. A few persons occupied distant
pews As sat down by Miss Mary, feared