Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-08-25
A BACHELORS ERROR.

Harris Clark. the hero of this sketch,
was neither wise, useful nor agreeable,
and had lived fifty years alone, when
he might have been blessed with Goods
best gift to man-woman."
Still, as Clark was decidedly wealthy
man. his friend Arthur Gould thought
ne would make an excellent husband
for his sister, who was slightly on the
shady side of 80. So one evening, find
Ing him in his solitary apartments,
looking doWncast and miserable, Gould
said:
CLARK, know what ails you.''
What makes you think anything
ails me?" gruffly inquired Clark.
Because you are not lively and hap
py You are lonely and want society.
No one can enjoy life without compan-
ionship. In short, you need wife"
i've got along all these years with
out one, and guess l can finish the
same way"
Because you have been a fool all
these years is no reason why you
should continue one"
"True!" said Clark. "Had taken q
wife twenty years ago l shouid have
been happier today. But who would
ma:!y Al old fellow like ME now"
Many nice girl would Jump at the
char-a"
g. go: want al old maid" said this
part'cIis-: old bachelor. "Sc1re pretty,
bright girl might tempt u,. But, then,
this co&Eslng business Know nothing
aboE A'u see, and taking it On the
whc:S I Night pay toe dearly in ad-
vance,"
well" said Gould, impa:iently, ION
the wsSie. II the truth was krGwE,
think you are a tslile tao lazy to
live"
"Why, I'm all yeady for a bargain.
Show me some G. t.cse nice girls you
seem to think are ST plenty"
IF you please to Visit my family
you will have an OFF ,c'uZity IF i1eet-
ing many ladies. I wMi Introduce you
to my sister, for one; she Will ;ntyo"
duce you to OTHERS, and-.--'
Good! I'll spend tomorrow evening
with YOU"
We'll be glad to see yoa"
They parted, and Ciark's thick head
was full of new ideas. A. 6 O'clock
the next night nc stood 5eiore lis MIR
ror trying neckiie after n.cAtle, and
carefully parting what remained Of his
hair. At last nc was fully equipped
and started.
On his arrival he found Eche but the
family present, and being introduced
to the ladies'. PASSED pleasant even
ing. He watched every movement Of
the younger loG:, and before leaving
had concluded to seek no further for a
wife, providing the charming Miss
Gould could De persuaded to become
Mrs. Clark. Size was attractive, pleas
ing in conversation, and graceful in
manner.
"She is the woman for me-" thought
Harris as he said goodnight, promis-
ing to call soon again.
He went home from his second visit
happier than from the first, for, in adj
dition to his increasing admiration for
the lady, he felt assured, by her evluelt
eXertions to entertain him, that his
feelings were reciprocated.
be explained before proceeding. Ow-
ing partly to Mr.. Gould's carelessness
in presenting the ladies as his wife and
sister merely, and partly Clark's con-
fusion in confronting two women at
once, he had mistaken one for the
other, and fallen in love with Mrs.
Gould decidedly the prettier of the
| twO) and who Derfectiy innocent of
his error, strove to make matters pleas
ant in behalf Of her sister-in-law. She
noticed once Or twice that he addressed
her as Miss Guuid, but knowing him
to be /. somewhat iliiterate man, let
it pass for a silly " the tongue.
| Time pass*;i, aid Harris determined
to speak. One cv=aing he found AS
Gould alone, a;:i was Informed tia:
arthur aai sistsr" had gone t. make