Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-05-30
THEODORE'S PROPOSAL

THEODORE'S PROPOSAL.
Theodore Shy was an exceedingly
bashful man, and when, after much
debating in his mind, be decided to
take a wife, his thoughts at once
turned to a matrimOnal paper as the
best means for attaining his object
Theodore Shy, at the tiInc OF con-
tcmplatIng this most serious STEP
was thirtY-six years otage. Passably
guod-lOOking. gOod-tcmpcred, good
naturcd, ne possessed a good house,
a good income, and all he required
was good wife to mako his home
happy
While matters were at this stage,
Theodore was brought to full stOE
and for this reason he could not con-
cost 4 suitable advertisement
lie was in this dilemma for two
days, when he determined to seek
the advice OF lady fricnd-a young
widow who had often commiserated
him on his solitary lot
Mrs. Ready was an old friend
whom he had known before her mar
riago, and was the only person he
felt ne could take into bis confidence,
boing assured Of her sympathy and
disCrCctnesS She was at this time
but twenty-five years OF age and eX-
cecdingly pretty.
lie saw the young widow in her
morning room and she met him with
extended hand and q smile Of well
come.
After talking OF the weather OF
yesterday the prospects Of ditto for
to-day and tomorrow, Theodore
sought m Opening to tho object Of
his call.
u wish to seek your advice on &
matter Of great import to myself"
"Nes."
"Thcre is no one elso of whom
should care to ask this advice, ard
feeling sure Of your sympathy and
help | determined to be guided BY
your counsel, If you will be so good as
TO give It"
Tho widow, much surprised and
impressed by his extreme seriousness,
expressed her inclination to laugh,
end said she would be pleased TO help
him in any way in her power.
"Wcl, the fact IS, >" he said, 81 am
contemplating marriage, and know
ing you-knowing you to be"
Yes" said the widow demUrely.
"Knowing you TO be more eJ.
pcrieuccd In such matters, and. being
50 kind-so goOd-sO-"
Here tho pretty widow blushed and
looked lovclicr than ever. eyes, 4"
she said in low tone, moving q lit
tie nearer to him, 'and-"
"And SO dislnterested Here she
gave him an unuterable look Of re-
proach. Il thought | could not do
better than to ask your advice as 10
the lady 1 wish TO marry"
Mrs Ready looked puzzled. Was
he not going to propose after ell?
"WhO IS the lady?"
"Wcll ah. the fact is don't know.
NO he went on hurriedlY. "YOu
see l expect there would be great
deal OF Chaf at such an old bachelor
US myself getting married, and I am
anxious TO avoid 10"
Theodore had by sOmc process Of
reasoning come TO believe be was too
old to dream Of marriage The widow
thought otherwise and ventured TO
sayso
"Wcll, at any rate" be said, "my
friends think 50 and would ridicule
the idea, so Two bccu thinking OF
using the columns OF q matrimonial
paper for the purpose"
The widow looked aghast
"What do you want mo 20 dO?'
"The fact Is. " he confessed, ~ can't
make out such an advertisement as
should like, and l want you to help
ne u word one II you will be so
kind"
Mrs. Ready was amazed, and not a
little disappointed
Writing materials being On the
table, the widow sat down and took
piece OF paper on which to commit
notes
"FIrst Of all, ," said the lady. what
sort Of wife do you WANT"
"Rcally," he said, Il cannot do
scribe the sort OF lady l should like.
Iou see, It seems so foolish, es-
pccially for me-"
"Wcll, then, ~ replied his compan.
'on. who had apparently received an
inspiration. "Now, ala you want O
young, middleaged or old LADY,"
'Oh! l tmnk-yOungish."
but what do you call younglsh?
You don't want girl OF 16?"
colder than that l am double
that age, you know"
"Oh! are you? We'll, then, about
what age shall l say?"
"Iiyw old are y l really beg
your pardon. l meant about your
age"
Il don't mind you knowing my
age So you think lady Of my age
would suit yOu?" said she mcrriiY.
Theodore was certain OF IT.
"Now We have the first require
mcnt DO you wish to state whether
.hc is to be slim, or-Or shall we say
'Lonny';"
Theodore looked again round the
room. and came to the conclusion
that the widow was OF the proper
Tons he desired.
"Like you" he said. Having only
just contemplated mafrImony, he had
never bestowed a thought on the
Widows charms until now, and fast
becoming hciplessly in love he wished
Re had goEe and shot himself before
he came on his present errand.
but, you foolish man, how can
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