Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1899-02-16

she warned, ~ Duncan attempted 10
speak, "until have made my arEu-
lnent. You are 30 years old. good look
ing, your record socially and financial
ly will bear the closest inspection, there
are cords of splendid young women
who would just jump at the chance OF
getting such a chap as you are, and"
"Oh, Aunt Lucy, stop, please" cried
Duncan; this is q matter belonging
solely to myself"
Nothing of the kind" responded the
good lady as she placed her hand on
her visitors knee; "recollect am max
ing my argument from q business
standpoint. AS matter of business
foresight you owe it to yourself. You
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 1 couldn't go into matter of
such nature on cold-b looded bust
ness basis
Listen. You would give full value to
whomsoever should consent to be your
wife-leaving love entirely out 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 I
prefer to rely solely on material
things"
"I'm glad you'll permit me to love my
wife," said Duncan, smiling, ''but
where's the woman? Who would have
me?"
"There are cords of 'em. haven't
got any body picked out and do not pro-
pose to do the choosing. You see am
sincere when tell you that am look
ing at the matter purely as q piece of
business foresight"
ooh, I'm not ready to marry. have
not seen half of the world as yet"
"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"
possibly" 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?'
20, that's absurd. Julia's nothing
but child"
"How old is shc?"
"She won't be 20 until her next birth
day."
sand how old were you when your
| wedding took placer"
"Nineteen! James, thisis simply ridic-
ulous, 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"
ION purely business basis?"
Eyes, on purely business basis; il
he was worthy, I 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"
II insist upon your becoming reason.
able; upon realizing that l bring up
this matter because of my interest in
/ you, and because I 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"
GAIL right" said DUNCAN, gcod-na'
turediy. II promise you will con.
slider this matter carefully"
That's right, that's manly" en-.
Enthusiastically responded Aunt Lucy,
"and if at any time 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 esplana-
i ton is immaterial, because just then her
daughter, with Betty in her arms, en-
tered the room as though ignorant oil
the presence of the visitor. Then
quickly apologizing, she turned as
though to withdraw, at which Duncan
said: Don't go, Miss Munroe, l beg
of YOU
'1Thank you, Mr.. Duncan" spid the
girl, with very apparent mock modesty
| 81 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 SUCCESSFULLY at tbs
young man, land some day Well tell
her, won't we, James?-what the bust
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-"to
most respectfully and with the utmost
Of 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