Feliciana sentinel. [volume] (St. Francisville, La.) 1877-1892, 1891-04-25
WINNING A WIFE.
Mr. Claymer, OF Texas, and His
Remarkable Trade.

Remarkable Trade.
Everybody said that Ben Claymcr was
. 'cranlk," and no one thought SO more
strongly than Marian Harper, who had
been tho object Of his eccentric ntten-
tion for many months. She, being q
student of human nature, was calmly
amused with this ''odd freak" as she
called him.
s'He is puzzle, Aunt Jane" she said;
II don't know whether to think him q
genius or an idiot. Sometimes I'm
more than half-inclined to believe the
latter"
When Claymcr called on Marian, it
would seem that he took no note of
time, and only the brondest of hints from
her would arouse him. Then he would
smile good-humoredly, and say: whats
the use of going anywhere, anyway?
just about tho time get to feeling set
tied and at home, somebody tells me to
go. Poor little Joe! Move on"
For several months his visits would
be regular and often, and then cease al
together, while for weeks he would
confine himself closely to his work.
Marian paid no attention to these sud
den falls of temperature, having long
did, and when, after about months
absence, he rcappeared, she greeted
him as usual and never called him to
account for his neglect.
Mr.. Claymer was ''struggling" jour
nalist, whose fortune was yet to be
made, and Marian was the daughter of
distinguished lawyer In good circum-
stances. Perhaps this is the reason
why Claymer never indulged any tender
sentiments in all his long talks with
Marian. They discussed the tariff,
labor question, science and religion,
and Marian proved herself thoroughly
mistress of all these weighty subjects,
being an industrious reader who always
kept posted" She captured the
intellect of Ben Claymer thus, just as
her sweet womanly ways had con-
qucred his heart Claymcr was a poll
tician ''to the bonc." and enthusiastic
friends said that he should enter poll
tics for himself instead of spending all
his time and energy in working for
others. This Claymer refused to do,
and continued, with the greatest good
humor, to play jacl<al to inferior lions
much after the manner of Sidney Car
ton.
''Hc has no ambition" Marian said
to herself. ''Dear me! If 1 were his
sister or his mother, or anything,
wouldn't stir him up, though! l have
no patience with people who hide their
lights under bushel."
Once, when they had been discussing
the marriage Of couple Of their ac-
quaintances (for one Of Claymcr's odd
(?) traits was that he took great inter-
est in little gossip. and speculation con-
cerning the affairs OF people in gen.
eralt. Claymcr said:
''Well. l think Parker did very wrong
to ask Miss Webster to share his lot,
which said lot is a myth. and all she
will be called upon to share will be n
stuffy room in n second-class boarding
house; she leaves a comfortable, pleas
ant home, where everything is as she
likes it, and expects to find greater
happiness in ten-by-fiftecn room
which ovcrlooks poultry yard.
should never ask a woman to share my
lot unless it was every bit as good 90
the one she left"
Young men shouldn't expect to begin
where the old ones left off. When ma
and pa joined their fortunes, their sole
possessions were log cabin with q
dirt floor. and a twenty-dollar gold
piece. Pa owned the mansion, and ma
brought him the princely dover, When
l hear them talk over those good old
times feel sorry for commonplace,
wcll-to-do persons who get married and
prose through life without any real
trouble or pleasure either
You may be right, but that is not
my idea of fun think poor man Is
a selfish brute when he wants partner
in poverty. OF course 1t was different
e. ia. -
rather the fashion to be poor in those
times, and people didn't mind it much. :"
Poverty will never go out of fash
ion, laughed Marian. ''unless Bellamy's
plans are adopted"
Miss Marian" said Claymer, sol
emnly, after several minutes of thought,
''let me ask you u question in 'rithmctic.
What would be n fair exchange for n
girl who is worth her weight in gold,
and five hundred Thousand dollars in ac-
tual cash?"
"A United States senator with a
sixty three ounce BRAIN" promptly, re-
piled she, with a twinkle in her eye.
Claymcr's countcnance dropped sew
cral degrees below zero, and he an
swcrcd, quietly: Correct; go up head. :"
After that convers alton Ben Claymer
had another stay at home spell, and
Marian saw him no more for three
months. This was the longest spell he
had ever had. She was on the eve of
her departure for a European tour. and
she was thinking: How hate to leave
without bidding friend Benjamin good
by" when she heard the click of the
gate latch and turned to see the tall,
slightly STOPPING form of Claymer com
ing up the gravel walk.
You're just in time, Sir Truant," "
she called to him from the balcony.
Yes" said he. Il have just heard of
your Intended tour. How 1 envy you!
A European tour is the next thing to n
trip to the promised land in my list.
How can you leave US all so long; and,
by the way, how long shall you stay?"
IiS licrhf dc,l,s, ar-in Y,