The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-05-03

Herald offered prize for the best an
swer 10 the question, How far may a
woman 20 to encourage man TO pro-
pose marriaee?" The prize was won by
a woman Of experience mother or three
sons and three daughters. This Is what
she wrote: Solomon. the wisest man that
ever lived, says OF a good woman: her
price Is far above rubies." Certainly,
from his extraordinary and extensive ex-
perience with the sex, 1 should consider
him competent 10 pass judgment. we
will presume that you are good, Wo-
manly" woman. such AS be describes, ana
that you are DESTROYS Of approaching
man on the subject of matrimony; that
Won are anxious TO induce him to propose.
Select the man on whom you IN
tend 10 bestow the privilege OF your at
tention, note his behavior and general
conduct and then, IL you deem him worth
the winning, hold fast TO him. We are
strictly enjoined to hold fast TO that
which is good" Secondly-1n your after
conpanionship with him bear in mind the
fact that YOU are "A woman or great price.
.'far above rubies," and you VIII never
COMPROMISE yourself by any indecorous-
ness Of speech or manner. Seek his so
ciety in such a manner that he Is not
cognizant of being sought after; be bright
and cheerful In his presence, sympathize
with him I'm his troubles, dtimulate him
10 best efforts I'm bis business affairs.
cheer him when he is despondent and en-
courage him 10 confide in you. Dress be-
comfngiy for him. but never gaudily.
When he Is absent from you write him
few interesting, chatty letters, wherein,
If YOU are an adept in the art, you can
weave a few insinuating expressions,
which may work wonders. 1.-The pen is
mightier than tho sword" Above all
else, prove yourself a good listener liz
he monopOizes three-thirds OF the con-
versation. you VIII have the more chance
TO study his character, for out OF the
abundance OF the heart the mouth
speaketh." i guarantee that you will get
an your thirds in the sweet by and BY.
/ should scarcely advise your treating him
10 specimens of your cookery. His
mother might excel in the culinary art.
Moreover. IL was an uncooked apple with
which Mother Eve beguiled Adam. or
the righteousness of that transaction
shall say nothing; OF the success every
thing, in that she moulded Adam to her
will Time enough to feed the brute
when YOU have to do so; then feed him
to your hearts content. and feed him
well. If you are making any progress
with him accord him trihing familiarities,
which may be increased in proportion to
his affabilty and his interest In you
Your womanly intuition should by this
time enable you TO judge whether or not
YOU have found favor In his sight ana
10 act accordingly BE ye wise as SER
penis, but harmless as doves" Should
there spring sp between you mutual
regard treat him to some of those dainty
feminine touches which are indeocribable,
not because they are wOmanly or wrong,
but because their language is mute and
4 he
DO not always agree with him; IL Is
sometimes wiser to agree to disagree. II
YOU have spark OF wit In your nature
YOU onght by this time to have made
yourself so necessary TO his existence that
he will miss you sadly when absent, and
will begin TO realize that "it is not good
for man TO be alone" Though al! pro-
presses well, draw the line at promiscuous
oscillation. Never permit him TO Kiss YOU
that is the privilege of the engaged. But
since the apostle says, Greet we one
another with an holy kiss on might
vouchsafe him just one-s0me night at
parfing. perhaps. But If he attempts to
return IL DO rot permit 1t. Tell him,
at is more blessed 10 give than TO re-
ceive." Finally. you might inform him
that YOU can put him in the way of find
inc n good thing" and refer him TO the
eighteenth chapter of Proverbs. the TWEEN
ty-sccond verse. II he be a manly sort
OF fellow, and cares anything for you. he
will doubtless follow the eXhortation of
the prophet, and thus find favor with
YOU and the Lord. Should your innate
modesty rebel somewhat at this sug-
gestion You may console yourself by re-
membering that ii is indeed your leap
year privilege. If you are the dear, wo-
manly. nesting creature you ought to be,
he must have proposed long ago. II he
has not, discard him, for either he is not
worthy Of you or you are not zen rap
port" with him. In that case try again.