Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-06-20
How they Proposed.

of it, but whether they are any truer TO
life than those who wrote and went to
their reward before them is an open Ques-
ton
"Well. how did you do it yourself?" said
another of the group ''rell the truth
now, and then we'll be able to judge, per
haps, how near the novelists come to the
real thing"
That's just a little too personal, laugh
ed the old fellow. "and besides, what could
you determine from one instanee2 But
I'll tell you what I will do. l will relate
the incidents of proposal which l know
to be true. names of the parties to it not
to be asked for, if each one of you will do
the same; absolute truth the only condi-
ton"
"Ageed, agreed was the chorus "You
make the start
"Well, said the old fellow, with a twin
kle in his eye, Il remember a nice young
man around our parts some forty years
ago who was of an afTectionate disposi-
tion. the kind that generally marries young
but he bad saving appreciation of the
value of money. which is supposed would
keep him out of foolish marriage. How
ever, he fell head over heels in love with a
penniless but beautiful girl, who had a
score of admirers al eager tor her hand.
He was anxious to win her, but he did not
feel able to marry on the income he had
| then. Promotion in a year or so was pret-
! ty sure, however, and he thought he could
| hint to her that if she would wait until his
income was $1,000 year he would then
ask her to marry him.
After bringing the conversation deity
around to the proper point, Mary, said he
Il have only $500 year now, would you
marry me if | had $lOOOF
. John, said she, smiling sweety on
him, 4 would marry You on a hundred
"What could he dol Back out and lose
her forever or bind the bargain then and
there. He was made of good stuff was
| John, and they were married soon after,
much to the surprise of the villagers, who
| had often listened to his condemnation OF
hasty marriages, and not without many
misgivings on his own part, but l believe
he never repented.
"While we are on the subject of mercen-
airy matches, said another OF the company
''rll give yod my contribution before l for
| get it. | knew of an attractive widow,
twice married, who was left almost penni-
less by her second husband and did not
know what to do FOR living. Her last
husband had had big income and was
supposed to be rich. but in reality had al
ways lived up TO the last cent of it, and
had left his widow only few thousand.
She kept up appearances, however, and
met clever and rising young lawyer, at a
ball one evening, who paid ardent court to
| her under the impression that she was
wealthy.
"She encouraged him and not long after
sent for him to draw up her will. In the
will she bequeathed hundreds of thousands
of dollars in stocks and bonds among her
relatives and various charities. The young
| lawyer estimated that her fortune was at
| least half a million. Before long he pre-
posed, was accepted and married, only to
find that his wife was penniless.
'1'm a cautious man." said another OF
the group, "and I'm inclined to think that
the best way TO propose is with kind of
a laugh, as if it were joke. Then if she
accepts you, why, all right; if she refuses
you can say you were only in fun.
Il remember, he continued, 1.-TWO young
| fellows in our town who We're both court
ing the same girl. Neither Of them could
say which She preferred, so nicely did she
play both her fish, not willing to lose
either till one had been fairly landed. One
evening THAT is, Jim; you understand
we will call him Jim. One of these fellows
to whom | refer, you understand. Don't
you!"
''Yes, yes, Of COURSE" said every one,
"Jim. Go on!'
",Jim found her alone, and he began at
once: Miss Jennie, do You think you could
bring yourself to leave your comfortable
home, kind father, loving mother and lit
| tie brothers and sisters, and go to the city
as the wife of a young fellow who has his
fortune yet to make and has nothing to Of
fer you but his honest heart and strong
and willing handP
Jennie cast her eyes down demurcly,
and after a moments reflection said Yes
James, think | could, with the right sort
of young man
"' Wen, said jim, my friend John (his
riyal) is going to New York to seek his for
tune and wants to marry. I'll mention TO
him what you said.
"'You horrid thing! she snapped out, L
thought you meant yourself!---- Oh, my,
what have saidr and she burst out cry
ing and made for the door But | caught
her and assured her that it was for my
self"
"Why, what are you all grinning atl Oh,
shucks I mean Jim caught her and ex
planned that it was for himself, and they
lived happily ever after, as the story book
says
"1'm afraid you let the cat ont Of the
bag, old fellow, but now we come to the
last man. said the jolly originator Of this
experience meeting. you're IA bachelor
though, Brown, and don't suppose you
have any "reminiscences of that kind, have
your
"Why am | u batcheor, them" replied
Brown. Come now, Ill be honest with
you and tell you my own actual expert
ence as | believe you all have been doing
| though you won't acknowledge it, | had
studied how to propose gracefully, and
bought a ring and composed a little speech
and had got it down fine. Drawing the
ring from my pocket. | struck a telling at
titude and said:
"Will you wear this beautiful ring for
my sakei 1t resembles my love for you.
It has no end
"To which she replied. Keep your ring,
sir. 1t also resembles my love for you. 1t
has no beginning
"Thus was | saved from horrible fate
which nevel again tempted"
Hugh 4, ,uiod the old chap with the
mn riagaa hIa nan yhters HThe unau who