Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-22
A Military Matchmaker

Mai. Macintosh was very good
fellow, but he had one little weakness;
he was a most inveterate matchmaker.
No doubt there was some excuse for
him. Life seemed rather empty and
purposeless now that he had left the
ermy; and, as he was still a vigorous,
energetic man, he needed some whole
some vent for his activity. Matchmak-
ing provided him at once with an in
terest and an occupatiGn; it gave him
plenty to think of by night, and to 40
by day.
Without it, he would have been the
most miserable of men; with it, he was
the cheeriest and the most self-import-
ant. 1t is a very good thing sometimes
to have a little weakness.
OF course, the major prided himself
on his tact and delicacy, and fondly
fancied nobody ever saw through his
TRANSPARENT little articles. So sure of
this was he indeed, that he not in
frequently explained them at some
length to the persons principally con-
cerned, so that they might know just
when and how to act under any given
circumstances; a very wise precautiOn
and one that saved an immense amount
of trouble and misunderstanding But
though he took every care to guard
against failure, matters would occasion
allv go wrong, and the most perfectly
planned match came to nothing, greatly
to the majors dismay. But he was
reasonable man on the whole, and when
he knew he was beaten he accepted de-
feat philosophically. Yes, when he
knew he was beaten; but as a bold
Briton and a soldier, he was very hard
to convince on this point, and some
times struggled on manfully long after
defeat was a fOregOne conclusion.
Despite his weakness-Or, possibly,
even in consequence of 1.-THE major
was popular, and men and women alike
found much to admire in him. His
manner might be little brusque, but
his means were ample and this was
great point in his favor, especially where
the unmarried ladies of his acquaintance
were concerned. For they were not
blind to the fact that he, the match
maker would be a most excellent
match; and to many Of them it seemed
a pity that he should spend so much
ime and trouble in providing for his
friends happiness while his own re-
manned unsecured. More than one
kind-hearted woman-though taking
small interest in his efforts to settle
other people-would gladly have helped
him to arrange a match for himself,
but it was all to no purpose. Whether
he saw nothing OF too much no one
knew. but the result was the same
The matchmaking major remained I'M
married. and on excellent terms with
all the ladies who would willingly have
married him. a fact which alone spoke
volumes for his good feeling ard capital
management-if, indeed, it were not
purely matter of luck.
The major had but one near relative
IN the world-his nephew, Jack MaCkin-
tOsh Jack was in government office
and as he was now % years of age,
his uncle began to think seriously of
arranging a match for him. He had
long had his eye on at least half a
dozen sufficiently pretty girls, any one
of whom might be just the right thing
for the young fellow-if only none Of
the other five should prove to be better,
The major was very anxious that Jack {
match should really be triumph, and
it cost him much thought and grave
weighing or pros and cons for months
before the critical time came. Of course
he did not consult Jack in the matter
To do so at so early a stage in the
proceedings would have been contrary
70 all precedent. No, he must muddle
it out for himself, and only have the
boy down to make the lady's acquaint-
ance when he had finally made up his
mind as to whom of the half dozen it
was to be.
And. after IL, it proved to be none
Of them!
No, despite the earnest cogttations of
months, and all the careful study of
six specimens Of girlhood, the major
suddenly made up his mind that Nellie
BlOXham was the one woman in the
world for Jack and this within five
minutes Of his first introduction to
her! The girl charmed him, and he al
once decided that she must marry Jack
: letter was dispatched that very even
ing, and few days later the youne
fellow Joined his uncle at the watering
place where he had been so fortunate
as to make Miss Bloxham's acuuaint-
ance.
Well Jack, have you got your leave
or is this only a Saturday to Monday
trip" was the first question he asked
when they met at the station.
I can stay fortnight, if you'll have
me-"
That's capital. I've lot of friends
here, and some uncommonly pretty
girls among them. The Fishers came
down last week, and the Renshaws-"
rs May Renshaw here? I'm glad
Of that"
May Renshaw was one of the half
dozen who had been under considera-
ton, and it is possible that Jack was
aware of the fact: but of their recent
on he was totally ignorant.
May? Yes; II believe So"
The major spoke absently, for he was
thinking how very unfortunate it would
be if Jack really felt any attraction in
that quarter. Not but what May was
nice girl enough-tiu you compared
her with Nellie Bloxham Let Jack
once see Nellie, and he would think nc
more of May.