Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-10-26
WILL FINISH NOVEL,
Date for Mary e. Wllklns's Wedding
Has Been Postponed Three Times.

DIR. Freeman, Her FIance, Talks About
the Authors WOrk-.-Is Able 20 Write
5000 words in OAy---Dr. Freeman
Gave Up Medicine for Lumber Bust
ness.
Because Miss Mary E. Wilkins, author,
has made resolution to finish her new
novel, "a Portion of Labor" before she
weds DR.. Charles Manning Freeman of
Metuchen, n j., the date set for the wed
ding has been postponed no less than three
times.
Intimate friends of the couple in Metu-
chen expressed no surprise at the published
announcement of their betrothal as the en-
gagement of the author and the doctor was
quietly announced to them about year
ago.
When DIR. Freeman was seen in his office
Friday he said:
81 have lust returned from two days
visit with Miss wilkins, in her home in
Massachusetts. We had intended that the
public should know nothing of our inten
lions until Miss wilkins had completed her
new book, for the public announcement
of our engagement means that she will re-
ceive daily great number of letters, and
as she is very conscientious she will prob
ably answer them all, which means so
much time taken from her work.
Though the date set for our marriage
has been changed three times, our wedding
will probably take place next month II
Miss Wilkins's new book is finished by
that time. Both Miss Wilkins and myself
believe it is best to get tue book out of the
way first. 1t is not possible to say how
soon it will be finished.
NMiep Uiikine ie q raDiI vVritpr Some.
times she is able to write 5000 words day,
The work is necessarily delayed because
the story develops as she writes. She does
not plan out her stories in advance, as has
been stated"
DR.. Freeman denied that his engagement
to the author had been kept secret, but
said that their intimate friends knew of it,
and also knew that an understanding had
existed between the author and himself
for some time prior to the engagement. DR.
Freeman first met Miss Wilkins about tel
years ago at the home of Henry NJ. Alden
of Harper's magazine.
DIR. Freeman is the son of the late Man
ming Freeman, who was for many years q
judge of the court of appeals of New Jer
sey. Although he is Al years old, DR.
Freeman does not appear to be more thar
80. He graduated from Rutgers college in
1880, and from the College of Physician:
and Surgeons in New York in 1884.
He was appointed, in 1885, medical ex.
aminer in the United States pension office
in Washington, and was also appointed
chairman of the board of civil service ex
aminers. In the latter capacity the gov
eminent detailed him to travel and inspect
the medical boards throughout the United
States.
Although physician of ability, the prac.
tice of medicine was distasteful to him, sc
he gave it up to enter his fathers lumber
business in Metuchen. When his father
died in October, 1899, DR.. freeman took
entire charge of the business, retaining the
firm name of Manning Freeman & Son.
Like Miss Wilkins, DR.. Freeman doe:
not care for society. He is interested in
art, literature and chemistry, while he il
an enthusiastic golfer and horseman. In
the old Freeman mansion he lives with his
widowed mother and his sisters. From
one of his sisters he has rented large
comfortable house on Amboy avenue
where he and Miss Wilkins will live after
their marriage.