St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-03-18

y
are coming close to the age when you
will not be able to take your pick and
you certainly do not want to go alone
into old age"
but l couldn't go into 4 matter of
such a nature on a cold -blooded busi-
ness basis"
Listen. You would give full value TO
whomsoever should consent to be your
wife-leaving love entirely cut of the
question. You could give her the best
social standing. you could share your
prosperity with her and when you be
come famous-as you will-she might
share your fame. of course. l expect
you TO pick out the woman you could
truly love. but in pleading the case l
prefer to rely solely on material
things
I'm glad you'll permit me 10 love my
wife," said Duncan, smiling, but
where's the woman? Who would have
me?''
"There are cords of EN-. l haven't
got any body picked out and do not pro-
rose 10 do the choosing. You see am
sincere when l tell you that am look
ing at the matter purely as piece OF
business foresight"
''Oh. I'm not ready 10 marry. l have
not seen half of the world as vet.
Choose a good wife and take her
with you. You'll enjoy the journeying
more thoroughly. and think of the
pleasure You might give her.
SPossibly," said Duncan, as he. smil-
ing suggestively. looking steadily and
squarely into the eyes Of his business
adviser. "Do you think you are en-.
tirely right in your position?
"Unquestionably, was the answer.
'.Supposing some young chap should
come along and, on purely business
basis, seek the hand of your daughter?'
30, that's absurd. Julia's nothing
but child"
GLOW old is she?"
"She won't be 20 until her next birth
day."
And how old were you when your
wedding took place?"
: Nineteen. James. thisis simply ridic-
uious, because it doesn't weaken my
position a particle. If a young man
who was in every way worthy should
ask me for the hand of my daugh-
ter"
''On a purely business basis?'
"Yes, on q purely business basis; il
he was worthy, should give my con-
sent; because any man who deserved
such girl couldn't help loving her."
$50 you insist on Juggling in the mat
ter Of love as an accessory?
81 insist upon your becoming reason.
able; upon realizing that l bring up
this matter because of my interest in
YOU, and because l know that. if you
will only think over the situation, you
will agree with me. You owe it to your
age and you owe it-every reputable
man owes it to some charming and
worthy woman-to some woman, to
make her happy"
"All right" said Duncan, good-na-
turedly, Il promise you l will con-
slider this matter carefully"
That's right, that's manly" en-
Enthusiastically responded Aunt Lucy.
"and if at any time l can be of service
in the matter come to me as you would
TO your mother"
Duncan arose as though to take his
departure, at which Aunt Lucy also
arose with: "Now don't put this think
ing off, but begin at once; for"
What she might have said in explana-
ton is immaterial, because just then her
daughter, with Betty in her arms, en-
tered the room as though ignorant Of
the presence of tho visitor. Then.
quickly apologizing. she turned as
though to withdraw, at which Duncan
said: Don't go, Miss Munroe, / beg
of you"
Thank you. Mr.. Duncan" said the
girl, with very apparent mock modesty.
II have no wish to leave, but thought
that mamma had business matters up
for discussion"
"And SO did, interrupted the moth
er, as she looked suggestively at TIL.
young man, land some day we'll tell
her, won't we, James ?-what the busi-
ness was"
Permit me, Miss Munroe," said Dun
can, as he stepped to her side-at which
Aunt Lucy appeared to have been
stricken by shock of electricity-";o
most respectfully and with the utmost
cf devotion, to ask you to become my
wife"
Certainly, proceed. said the maiden,
as she very carefully placed the cat
upon the floor and stood erect with her
face set in fashion calculated to be-
token courage.
Aunt Lucy was speechless, and as
she attempted to take step toward
Duncan she staggered weakly and only
caught the back of her chair in time 10
prevent falling.
Then it was that the daughter held
out her hand and Duncan, taking it in
his own. together they came to the
mother smiling. while the bachelor
said: Forgive us, Mrs. Munroe, but
Julia has been my affianced wife for
over a month"
".And you kept the fact from your
mother?" said Aunt Lucy, looking
hopelessly at her daughter.
Yes; You see your reputation as
cold-blooded woman of business said
Duncan, "made towards of u.s.
And as Aunt Lucy found her way 10
her chair, the cat walked demurely out
of the room, saying plainly as q cat
could say in pantomime: 4 knew Of
this long ago."-Detroit Free Press.
Changes OF Mind.
"You are just going out. l see"
YES; an important engagement.
What was it you wanted?"
ut was about that little debt l owe
you."
"Ah. yes; take q seat"
Il was going 10 ask you for little