The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1895-09-24
A COWBOYS "AD."

y
tale throughout is of a character
very commonplace Mr.. Jacob With
am wanted a wife.
In seeking, however, for a part.
ner with whom to share his name,
liberty and other hereditaments he
resorted to the not unprecedented
but somewhat unconventional meth
cd of publishing his craving in the
newspapers of San Francisco. More
over, the advertisement was not hid
den away in that wearisome laby-
rinth of type popularity termed the
'want ads, but in bold face, which
occupied at least ten squares of dis
play. 1t read:
II want a wife. l am 35 years
old, a thoroughbred and square.
own 1000 cattle, 600 horses, have
$50, 600 sunk, and barring billiards.,
northers and other visitations of a
glorious climate shall never tighten
the cinch strap for hunger. Morally
/ am on the fence. drink when
please and swear at the cattle, but
would not swear at woman. That g
all Where is the woman? She
must be under 25 and show up a
registered pedigree. Jacob Witham,
Quemadura Flat, Cal. &"
But Mr. Witham g aspirations, pro-
claimed beyond all misinterpreta-
ton, were destined to be considered
by an individual manifestly insult
ed to its requirements. In a cozy
parlor within the aristocratic limits
of San Francisco it had caught the
eye Of one Frederick Weldon, and to
that gentleman handsome features
it brought a smile of amusement
Possibly he was contrasting the ad-
vertiser's position with his own-he
was being entertained by young
girl of admirable wifely adaptations
And yet such was not the exact
trend of his thoughts. Miss Dor
othy Halsted was 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 confidingly on some strong
male shoulder. But San Francisco
was graced with many of her kind.
They were all attractive. He loved
the sex
But in Mr. Williams announce
ment, which he had carelessly lifted
from table at his elbow, Fred dis
cerned an opportunity for possible
diversion, and he extended it to his
companion
Let's apply, was his suggestion.
Miss Halsted smiled.
Il am only 10, she returned. Il
can wait year or two longer before
resorting to any such desperate
means
Fred was on his knees metaphor
ically at once.
Dolly! Miss Dolly" he ejacu-
lated reprOaCnIully
But his assumption of tender dep
recation elected only light, rip
ping laugh 1t is to be feared that
the young girl deemed all such cour.
teous platitudes her just tribute
Nor need it be stated with what
equally specious phrases she divert
ed the conversational bark into oths
er channels. Suffice to say that she
exhibited the skill of an adept
Meantime, however Fred retain
ed the newspaper, and after brief
interval he again asked:
why not answer it? III write
the letter. and you copy it Then
we'll inclose the photo of an actress
If you can find one consistent with
his idea of registered pedigree
and await results.
Again Miss Halsted laughed, but
it was only musical murmur, man.
ifesting little appreciation. She even
appeared somewhat bored by his.per-
BlSLGuCy. NGNSIllClCSS SlIC LOoS IhO
procured the materials requisite for
correspondence,
But what name shall l sign?"
she asked when at last it had been
copied.
You might use a composite,
was thereby Yes, that's t-make
it Dorothy Weldon,
The young girl colored and lower
ed her eyes But she accepted the
suggestion, and over such pseu-
donym was the letter sent.
AS an epistolary precursor of fiji
ture hymeneal joys it was a master,
piece--or SO at least Fred averred,
It was to be presumed that the un.
known Mr.. Whitman was cattle
baron--i g., q cowboy on whom for
tune had smiled-thereforeall stilted
Elegance of phraseology was avoid
al. Moreover, the gentleman ap.
cared to desire wife considerably
Junior, and for that reason GER