Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-12
A BLIND ORDER.

It was rather late in Life before was mar
ried Just how old gas leave the reader
twho is always taught to believe himself q
very shrewd and discerning person. to i'm
agine, and l have no doubt be viii have
solved the problem to his own sasiSfaction
before my story is half completed
I had been quite successful in business, and
was familiar with ths ways Of men; had
learned to match the tricks and evasions of
the business world with tricks and evasions
Of my own; but Of women I knew nothing,
never having had leisure TO cultivate their
society. use the word nothing in its literal
sense; knew absolutely nothing.
Ny entrance into society was something
after the manner of Stanley's journey across
the Dark Continent l began TO explore
strange and fascinating world, in which
there were pitfalls against which my bust
ness facts and figures We're 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 were quite Opaque. WAS often in the
dark as to the purpose Of certain ladies that
l met; but, while nystifed and puzzled at
tines was also delighted. There was no
denying the charm OF woman's society. l
felt that had wasted great many years.
l do not intend to conceal my object in
entering the society of ladies' wanted a
wife To be frank, had vague idea Of the
kind l wanted In business, when man or
ders bill of goods without first inquiring
the price and particulars, he gives what is
called blind order. When pigeon holed
my papers and closed my Office desk with a
bang, pocketed the key and sailed out to Sc
cure what l felt I needed-a good wife-1
gave blind order In effect l did a most
unbusiness-like thing. l blush now to think
Of it; but when mn pauses in his eager
race after dollars TO cultivate matrimony he
is generally apt TO give blind order. What
can he know Of the ways Of womenl Abso-
lutely nothing He learns rapidly, it is true,
but it requires long experience 20 meet them
on their own ground and beat them with
their own weapons.
shall be pleased if any profit or interest
attaches 70 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 I met was
Miss Blanche Ridgeway. How shall l de-
scribe her9 Business nomenclature cannot
help me, and | abominate romantic word
pictures. Miss Blanche was a very sweet
girl. When seated near her was conscious
Of G feeling of-shall I call it pleesurei The
net total OF a 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 if | might
have some romance in me after all; and
when in church she turned her bright eyes
on me-
Fudge fddlesticksl !, plain man Of
business, writing such gush! Pray overlook
the boyish folly.
Miss Blanche had a sister, Miss Mary, q
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 Miss Blanche. 1
faced the situation coolly. l want a wife,
said l. and here are two ladies. One IS %,
the other possibly 90; one is pretty and is in
clined 90 be silly at times, the other palmer,
but sensible and 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. l will ask Miss
Blanche.
Ny resolution made, called on her.
Blanche" said I, when we were seated
Indeed" she replied, her eyebrows arch
ing in surprise.
matter over. Ny mind is made up. l have
a question to ask you"
What can It be, lIr Quoterf'
VIII you marry me''
1t was plain, business like question, call
So io;,, T
it honestly and in good faith. To my amaze
Inent. Miss Blanche almost tainted.
What is wrongF' l cried
why, Mr. Quoter.r she replied, indef-
nitely. turning red and pale By turns, and
looking positively pretty.
PRAY be calrner, Miss Blanche. This is
matter calling for GOODNESS and Judgment"
But il was 50 unexpected, Mr.. Quoter.
You startled me-"
Il regret it very much, Miss Blanche.
What is your answerF'
Il cannot answer now, Mr.. Quoter. I
never dreamed Of such a thing. I must talk
to mamma"
Certainly. Miss Blanche, very proper
decision am sorry TO have disturbed you,"
and rose to go.
"A moment, please, Mr.. Quoter. l cannot
talk now 1t was so sudden. l viii speak to
mamma
when shall call. Miss Blanchef7
III l come TO church next Sabbath morn
ing, Mr.. Quoter, Trinity, you know, the an
swer will be- she paused IN tho utmost
confusion, b!ushing quite charmirgly.
And in case you do not come TO church,
Miss Blalches'
Then the answer i'll Be no. size al
swered, very family, looking at q figure in