St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-09-23
A COWBOYS MATRIMONIAL VENTURE.
BY LIEUTENANT q, DE II, BROWNE.

II was the old, old story. But as a
matter of Introductory fact, this tale
throughout is of a character very COM
mopplace. Jabob Witham wanted a
wife.
In seeking, however, for a partner
with whom to share his name, liberty
and other Entertainments. he resorted to
the not unprecedented, but somewhat
unconventional method of publishing
his craving in the newspapers OF San
Francisco. Moreover, the advertise
ment was not hidden away in that
labyrinth of type popularity termed
want ads,' but i'll boldface occupied
at least ten squares of display. 1t read:
81 Want a Wife.
~ am a thirty-fve-year-old, q thor
oughbred. and square. l " 1000
cattle. 600 horses, have 100000 sunk.
and. barring billiards. noriherS and
other viSitationS OF a glorious climate,
shall never tighten the cinch strap for
hunger. Morally | am on the fence. l
drink when | please II swear at the
cattle. but | would not swear at 4 wom-
an. That's all. Where is the woman?
Jacob Witham, Quemadura Flat, ALI
~fornia."
But Mr.. Williams aspiration, pro-
claimed beyond all Misrepresentation,
was destined To be considered by an in
dividual manifestly unsuited to its re-
Q%uirements. In Il coy parlor Within
the aristocratic limits OF San Francisco
it had caught the eye of one Frederick
Weldon, and 10 that gentleman'S hand
some features it brought a smile of
amusement. Possibly he vas contrast
ing the advertisers position with his
own - lie was beng entertained by
a young girl of admirably wifely
adaptations. And yet such was not
the exact trend of his thoughts.
Miss Dorothy lIalsted was a very pretty
girl and withal charming. Moreover
she was, at that moment. seated beside
him on a low sofa, and her dainty head
seemed as if created by nature To rest
contidinglY on some strong, male shout
der. But San Francisco was gracrd
with many of her kind. They were all
attractive; he loved the sex.
But in Mr.. Williams announcement,
which he had careleSsiy lifted from a
table at his elbow. Fred diScerned an
opportunity for possible diversion, and
be extended it to his companion.
K al'Hiys Nuo ilo SuSSSSllOi.
Miss Halsttd smiled.
Il am only nineteen" she returned.
81 can wait Il year or two longer before
resorting to any such desperate
means"
Fred was on his knees (metaphori-
callyl at once.
dolly! Miss Dolly" he calculated
reproachfuliy.
But this assumption of tender depre-
cation elected only Il light. ripping
laugh. 1t is to be feared that the young
girl deemed all such courteous plaii-
tudes her just tribute. Nor need it be
stated wiki what equally speciuls
phrases she diverted the conversation
back into other alnelS; suffice To say
that shr exhibited the skill of an adept.
Meantime, however, Fred retained
the new Spaper, and after a brief inter-
val he again asked:
why not answer il? FL write the
letter and yon copy il. Then we'll III
close thep photo OF an actress-if you eau
find one consistent with his idea-and
await results"
Again Miss Halsted laughed. but it
was only a musical murmur, manifest
Ing little aplreciation; she even ap-
ptared somewhat bored by his persist
ency. Nevertheless she rose and pro-
cured Tie materials requisite for CORE
~spundencr.
But what name shall | sign?" she
ASKED, when at last it had been copied.
"HNu might use a compnsitr,"w was The
REPLY. Yes, that's 1t; make it Dorothy
Wtidon."
The young girl colored and lowered
her eyes. But she accepted the sug-
g%tslInn. aad over such p%seudonym was
the letter sent.
As an ep!stolary precursor of future
~hynnenFal joysit was a masterpiece
or SO, at least, Fred avcrred. 1t was to
De presumed that the unknown MIR.
Nltham was a cattle Daron-i. e., a
cowboy on whom fortune had smiled
therefore, all stilted elegance of
phraseology was avoided. M~oreover,thc
gentleman appeared to desire a wife
considerably his junior. and for that
reason certain maidenly coyness and
ndlvete were necessary. But Fred was
equal to the task. Miss" Weldon was
ashamed, almost afraid, to address MIR.
Whitman. She was alone, however, with
no one to advise; WAS what people
vulgarly termed a shop" girl. She
bad also been told that gentlemen in
his walk OF life retained much of that
chiyairic element of disposition long
since extinct in large cities. Wherefore
She lrnstet-and believed that he
would accord her communication that
confidence betting her sincerity.
Fred contemplated this last bit of
t1attery with a smile of complacency.
Hell not swear at his cattle for a
week after that."he observed. Then
he consigned The letter to his pocket.
Quen.adrra Flat was isolated from
railroads, and ten days elapsed before
all answer VAS received. A brief note
frcm Miss Ho!sted- addressed, by the
way, 10 Miss" Dorothy Weldon
acquainted Fred Of its arrival. and
within the snug precincts of her dwell
ling he found that young lady consider.
able amused. Mr.. Williams reply was
certainly IN Keeping with the advertise
ment by which it had been preceded.
My Dear Miss Weldon. it began.
THANKS for your letter. Thanks, TOO.
for YOU picture. | also thank God that
l have been permitted to receive them,
Perhaps that sounds Ike a stampede Of
~fervency, but Pm mere accustomed 10
stalnpedeS than to writing letters.
Therefore. when | tell Won that | like
your points you cau back my words.n
And thus launched Upon the sea of
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES in four pages
OF very "unfashionable' paper-he con-
tinued. lie reiterated all he had
previously published, and added con-
siderable in Uniinportaut detail, of
which reference TO certain bankers in
Los Angeles comprised no small part.
Nor was Fred's aIlnsion to cowboy
chivalry without lis effect, for in con-
ciusiun lie went on:
"SS IN voiIr nwu RIGHT IN vour hrorJ