The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-17
THE TWO MACKS}
An Eveless Romance in Three Acts, Pro-
logue and Pointed Moral.

It was not 50 very long ago that the
hero of this yarn hung out his single
in Butte. The fact that he hung it out
is some evidence that he is a profess
sional man, and for the purpose Of the
story he may as well be lawyer as
a doctor. Time hung heavy over the
young man (here called young 1nal.'
for the sake Of euphony, though he is
old enough to know a thing or two),
who for convenience may be called
Mack, because that is not his name.
AS he does not possess those qualities
few of them, and lacking much in be-
witching personality his list of lady
friends has been particularly small. He
has often bewailed and bemoaned that
fact Mack has a young gentleman
friend, also professional, to whom he
has often talked about his troubles,
hankerings and disappointments and
friend will also be known in this mar
rative as Mack, because that is the
name by which his friends know him.
The first Mack one day complained
about his lack Of social opportunities
and his wasting brilliancy Of talents,
and his lack of congenial female com
partnership. The second Mack heard
and considered and then advised. The
suggestion was happily and thankfully
received and was quickly acted upon.
Thereby hangs this tale. ...
CHAPTER I.
Persona1.-A young professional man,
whose opportunity for meeting ladies is
limited, wishes to form the acquaint-
ance of lady; object matrimony. Ad
dress, Stranger. Standard, Butte.
Mack generously agreed that if the
personal should prove fruitful in re-
suits he would share the fruit with the
younger Mack, and with deep-rooted
anxiety and restless anticipation the
two Macks waited for the returns
The returns were slow coming in,
but they came all right, all right.
"a CHAPTER II.
In a Bohemian den somewhere down.
town half dozen gay spirits-men or
women perhaps-were making merry
when the eyes Of one fell upon the per-
sonal of of the lonesome Mack. The
plot was Matched, and then
Butte, Mont, Nov 2S.-Dear Mr..
Stranger: On noticing your advertise
ment in the paper for an acquaintance
my hopes were revived, for have been
in Butte nearly a month without even
L
a cred real nice. I am quite young and
fairly good looking and do enjoy hav
ing a good time. I have no ties and
am therefore more than anxious to
meet you, especially as you are pro-
fessional man, for if there is any per-
son I admire it is one who knows some
thing I would be delighted to meet
you at any place you say, and if agree
able would exchange pictures; just had
a lovely one taken in evening dress
am at present stopping with a wealthy
young woman friend at the Butte ho-
tel. You may address me at Box 439,
4 Butte P. O., and on receiving your let
ter, from which I can tell much, will
state time for you to call. Very sin
cerely, MAUD UNDERWOOD"
Butte, Mont. Nov. %, 1S99.-Miss
Maud Underwood, Box 439, Butte p. o.
Dear Miss Underwood: Yours of the
9th inst. received with pleasure. I am
sure / would be delighted to meet you
but, of course, cannot say whether you
will think me real nice. I am very tall,
otherwise about like the average run
Of the genus homo"-neither better
looking nor worse. Like you, 1 have no
family ties of any kind; more than
that I am not a society man." Hav-z
ing chosen profession which requires
of its devotees close application if they
desire to succeed, there is no lack of
opportunity for the investment of spare
time. But it has occurred to me that I
would get more out of life If there were
an occasional relaxation.
II am quite sure that I enjoy the
company of a lady as much as any one;
being. like most Southerners. of very
warm and passionate disposition, I
probably enjoy it more than most men
raised in this cold climate. If, there
fore, I could form the acquaintance Of
lady who would like my company oc-
casionally (for unless I felt she en-
joyed it I should not consider the asso-
citation enjoyable) and whose company
I enjoyed (Which from a selfish stand
point is equally essentially, we would
both be gamers and no one loser. For
my rather unusual method of bring
ing about this result I do not feel I
owe any explanation, for I am not
much influenced by what conventional
society calls propriety.
II am very sorry that I have no
photo of myself at the present time, but
would be delighted to have one of yours
and would return the compliment at
the earliest opportunity. ! am at loss
Just how to arrange meeting place.
/ would Of course be glad to call upon
you at the Butte Cf you invited me
toy, but would be very bashful If a
third party were present. Any arrange
ment of a meeting place satisfactory
to you will suit me and if you have
none in mind I will make the necessary
arrangements upon receipt of an an
swer to this.
Awaiting an early reply, am, very
truly yours,
"P. S. The above address will reach
me at any time through the P. Or
= Maud-pretty Maud-wrote again,
sweetly, enticingly and invited Mack
to call and meet her in the parlors of
the Butte at 1880 o'clock the following
day. Mack was away above the
seventh heaven of delight and he hus-
tied around to make preparations for
the 1880 event. He recklessly determ-
ined not to shave himself but blew
himself for long bit in union barber
shop and then had a brilliant put on
his hoppers and declined to accept
change out of the two-bits he had given
the colored boy. When hee came out
of the shop he almost looked hand
some in a new suit and creased trous-
ers, with a clean, shining face wrinkled
with smiles, and shining shoes, also
Ill 1~nR l. a.