Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-12-12
GETTING A HUSBAND,

"Me!" I fairly screamed
eyes, you. Now, listen, Bertha
You're just the girl for Duncan. I've
always thought so, and I know you both
well. Duncan isl
ooh, my dear girl, just as if didn't
know everything that Duncan is and
isn't and was and will bel And just as
though any girl would take that sort of
thing on trust and not judge for her
self before she went all the way out to
India to marry man!'
Bertha darling, don't get excited.
Please do think this matter over serious
ly and try and see its advantages
Here, l will give you his letter to read
and leave you for little. Do try and
like the idea"
read the letter and can't say 1 was
much impressed, but as it explains the
position of affairs here it is:
DEAR OLD LII.-I am writing to ask favor
of you, but first you must promise you won't
think me perfectly mad, as l solemnly assure
you am in earnest. We have always been pals,
haven't we? And think you know exactly
what sort of fellow am. Do you remember
you used to say that the reason SO many peo-
pie arc unha1pily married is because the man
always persists in choosing the girl he falls in
love with without considering whether she
has the qualities necessary to make him u good
wifef remember you once said, "Men would
bo far happier if they would let their sisters
choose their wives for them" Well, / want
to get married, and l have resolved to give
your wise maXimS {. trial. Perhaps may be
rather cold sort of fellow; but, anyway,
have never wanted to marry any of the girls
about here. viii you choose wife for me
from among your English girl friends and
place the case clearly before her? Tell her all
you know of me as regards character, DISPOSE
tion, etc; also that am 20 years of age, well
off, tail and, l believe, passably good looking.
l should like her to be presentable in appear
ancc. The rest l leave to you. We might
change photos, only mine would be no good,
as they are all old ones, and i know you have
no decent ones at home. l need hardly add
that, though it is Il dangerous experiment.,
will do all in my power to make it turn out
success, and whoever trusts herself to me shall
never have cause to regret it, if l can help it.
Let me know as soon as you can, and, believe
me, your affcctionate brother,
DUNCAN EASTWOOD.
After all, it is rather a good idea,
think-original, if nothing else. But
somehow l wouldn't like to take the
risk. On the other hand, I've no home,
now that dads gone, and only a poor
little $40 a year to live on. Lil's aw-
fully good and kind, but I can't stay
here forever. Her husband must think
me il nuisance us it is. l shall have to
go out US a governess, and here's a
chance of marrying Il man who is rich,
handsome, kind hearted and of whom
every one speaks we'll. l don't care for
any one else Shall chance it?
Well, did, after all. had no one in
the world to advise me but Lii and her
husband, and they both thought it de-
sirable match. They said we We're made
for each other, but | believe in their in
nermost heart of hearts they think Dun
can Il bit too good for me. My photo
was sent out, and my future husband
deigncd 20 say that, "If was anything
like my photo, he loved me already" l
think it was rather sneaky of him not
sending one of his, but he has been
minutcly described to me and is going
to wear white gardenia III his button
hole when he meets me at Calcutta. He
has good post in the Indian civil serv-
ice and lives i'll Calcutta in the cold
weather and Simla i'll the hot; so shall
have good time, Lii rigged me out
and packed me off, and as for me
we'll, / think | shall like him, and I
mean to try anyway.
We have passed Port Said, and very
soon we shall reach Alden. Every one
OH board is kind to me.
shall never forget arriving at Alden,
horrid looking place, with low white
houses against "a dreary background of
rocks, and no trees or flowers to be seen.
An interesting man came on board
at Alden. He is tall and broad, with
kind face and dark eyes, and such love-
ly beard and mustache. think rath-
er like boards. That horrid Duncan is
clean shaven. Ioughtn't to be thinking
about men. Oh, dear, l wonder if l
have done right
| heard this new man ask the cap
tain, i'll whose charge | am, whether he
might be introduced to q girl Oh board.
(which one?' asked the captain.
81 think she is in your Charge" said