Middletown transcript., 1894-03-10


what he had written.
e "That won't do, it's just like thu
two you've read. I want companion
a refined woman, who will love me-"
eyes, but how would you write
: that? Wanted love for so much love
in return? Affection cannot be be-
> slowed at will on an imaginary object
, 1t is not fungus growth, but conse'
quence of mutual likings"
After much consultation they dis
patched the following:
ga respectable gentleman, matri.
monially inclined, wishes to correspond
with refined, cultivated young lady,
, one that can undertake the management
of his establishment. The best of
references given and expected. Address
P, office of The Times"
A few days later, Harry Sinclair, sat
at his desk busily engaged in finishing
law document. He was such genial
young fellow that he was always well
come at the festive gatherings of his
friends. His mother, just as lively and
pleasant as himself, kept house and
home for him, and as yet, he had had
no occasion to seek wife for himself.
He looked up and smiled, as Dawson
entered.
swell, how are your matrimonial
prospects?" he 8 id.
''Sinclair," replied his friend,
gravely, ''I'm nearly distracted. I've
had SO many letters; and you're to
blame for it all.'
| Harry laughed gaily.
''I'll come and help you to answer
them if you'll just wait few minutes
till 1 finish this.'
Soon his writing was completed, ne
folded up the paper, laid it carefully
away, and then putting Oh mis- hat, he
turned to his friend, saying, pleasantly.
"Well, Charles, my boy, Pm ready"
''I'll tell you what, he continued, as
they turned towards Dawson's house,
''you should be the proudest man in the
city to think that so many Of the fair
sex are trying to capture you."
"That's not the way look at it,"
replied his companion, solemnly. $50
me it seems pitiful that so many women
wanting husbands should be compelled
to struggle on in loneliness.
''In other Words" replied Harry,
with twinkle in his eye, "you strongly
incline to the Mormon faith, as bene-
VIOLENT plan, enabling you to care for
half dozen, at least, of these lonely |
women"
Now, Harry, you are joking again."
exclaimed Dawson, sharply. ITO me
this is a serious subject. l feel would
like to pension off few of the lone
liest; but, really, I'm afraid I'm too
old-fashioned to be ever content with a
wife got in this way. However, come
in and see for YOURSELF"
lie led the way to his library, and,
opening a drawer, drew fol th a pile of
letters.
Il put them in here" he said, "for
was afraid Mrs. Green might suspect
something. The first is from widow
with two children. Her little girl, she
says, is very sweet and lovely. Since
her husbands death, four years ago,
she has been in struggling circumstan-
ces, but she is well able to oversee the
management of large establishment,
and her writing is certainly ladylike."
"Then is this your choice?" queried
Harry. .
"Ohl no, no." cried Dawson, quickly,
Il never could marry widow; but if |
could help educate the little girl L"
be paused, then continued: ''Read ;
them for yourself and see.''
Harry tried to look demure as he /
read letter after letter, but at length
his gravity broke down and he burst
into a peal of laughter. Even Mr.. {
Dawson's sober face relaxed little as t
he re-read some of the letters.
"Those are from the servant girls ,
and bar-maids," he said.
''Let us lay those that you are sure of &
refusing by themselves" said Sinclair. J
"and the doubtful ones we can look l
over again. Isn't it splendid idea?n
perhaps SO" said Dawson, sarcasti. t
cally; but Harry went on, "You see I
your choice, as l said before, is so un- |
limited. Here you have offers from all /
grades of society, from seamstresses,
typewriters, school-teach- t
ers, sales'adies and country girls, who G
are unhappy because of lack of society,
to independent women who are anxious e
to settle down. Here you have those s
who are SO desirous to marry that they
would take you whether you possessed b
all the sins in the category, and on the f
other hand those who coolly assure you y
that they are in no need of husband.
but if you prove amenable they are |,
willing to correspond with you further
on the subject. call it the best chance t
Of your life."
"Y. u may joke, Harry, it's like you; e
but how on earth am | to refuse all v
.hese women? can't send back their t
letters labeled, declined with thanks 1
IS editors return manuscripts. t
"Oh, but editors have a far better Il
way nowadays. They have number
IF very polite and gracious refusals O
printed off so as to suit all cases; and
hats what you'll have to do. We'll s
lave the required number typewriter {
md so save you all further trouble.n
He drew out his watch. 81 must 20.
will hardly have time to dress for h
Inner"