The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-19

schools finished, Laidlaw was sent to
Edinburgh to complete his education and
prepare himself for the calling of an en-
gineer, a vocation for which he had shown
a preference. Opportunities for an ad-
vancement in the old country were not
plent iful and the young man hearing of a
chance for good position in the service
of a company whose steamers ply the
rivers of Burmah babe his family and
sweetheart good-by and sailed for the
Orient to win his fortune, promising his
lassie to return and claim her when his
prospects would permit him taking a
bride.
Years passed on and his fortunes did not
warrant a trip to the old country to fulfill
his promise, but his heart remained true,
as did hers, and both lived in hope that
the day would come when they could be
united. In the meantime Miss Reid had
grown into a handsome lassie whose school
training had been thorough, and she began
the teaching of school in her native town
of Ayr.
Her brother, James S. Reid, promising
young attorney, had left his native ceun-
try to take up the practice of his profession
in this City, and about three years ago
Miss Reid, firing of teaching the young
idea how to shoot, gave up her position in
Scotland and came to San Francisco to
keep her relative company.
Many su1tors, charmed by her graces of
mind and face, came to WOO her, but the
image of the handsome lad who was work
ing out his fortune on the Irawadi was
still green IN her memory, and she stead
lastly refused to be won. Her energies
were concentrated on aiding her brother
in his search offame and fortune, and she
became valued aid to him as stenogra-
pher and typewriter in his Office.
Time rolled on and William Laidlaw,
by fourteen years of thrift, energy and
strict attention to business. had gained a
competence, and began to think that it
was about time to take wife to share the
remainder of his life's journey. His mind
Immediately turned to the companion of
his youth, and the next steamer carrying
mails TO England took letter of inquiry
asking whether she was still free.
He learned that she had gone to San
Francisco to join her brother, and CORE
spondence was at once begun that resulted
in Laidlaw getting six months furlough
and starting for this City at. once. He
found Miss Reid as interesting as in the
days of his early youth and in a very short
time the engagement which will be
brought to close by to-morrow's cere-
mony was announced.
The wedding tour will take the happy
couple to the old home in Scotland, where
the scenes of their early courtship will be
visited. Later-about the first of next
year-Mr. and Mrs. Laidlaw will 60 to
Burmah to reside In a cozy home which
the lucky engineer has planned.
Mr.. Laidlaw is prominent in the mill
tary reserves of Burmah, holding the posi-
ton of lieutenant in the Port Defense
Corps, which has charge of the important
matter of placing torpedoes and sub
marine mines in the harbors of Burmah in
times OF war.
He knew Rudyard Kipling, the author,
while the latter was acting as war CORE
spondent at the time of the occupation of
Upper Burmah, ten years ago. He states
that Kipling was not known except as a
reporter at that time, and that his "Bar-
rack-room Ballads" which appeared sub
sequently, were the first literary efforts
that brought him into prominence.
Mr.. Laidlaw is magnificent specimen
of Scotch manhood, standing over 6
feet in height and being broad in proper
ton.
His intended bride is petite and pretty,
with soft eyes that light up a somewhat
pale countenance as she looks at her
stalwart lover.