New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-16
A BIG TRADE IN HEARTS.
THE GRAND ARMY ENCAMPMENT KEEP
THE MATRIMONIAL AGENCIES
IN CHICAGO BUSY.
.om The chicago Inter Ocean.

From The Chicago Inter Ocean
Grand ARMY visitors kept the matrimonial agen-
marching reminded the veterans OF the far of days
when they had gone away to war thinking or the
soldiers suddenly realized that they were tired of
lighting the battle Of life alone. No matter what
the reason may have been, il is nevertheless true
that scores of them Registered advertised for
wives who should be staid. gentle anectionate ana
evidently that beauty is small value. for their
ideals. set forth to the public were OF the prac
teal
After the big parade last Tuesday several old SOL
iiers sneaked away from their comrades for the
purpose OF answering certain advertisements they
had noticed in the daily papers The elevator boy
in a building IN Westinghouse where matrlmo-
NAL bureau is located was approached timidy.
Was the office up there? the men would inquire,
pleasantly opened invitingly the hearts that had
known no fear in the Wilderness or at Gettysburg
almost failed But the old soldiers mustered up
courage and went in to meet kindly woman. who
was so SynpaIlL;hs ana dlscreeC maj the VISITORS
forgot their REPUTATION Tor moment post
office. the boxes OF which bullying with letters
sorts Of sentimental secrets was the most Conspic-
uOus thing In the office, where there dim
light so that no one would be likely TO recognize
The discreet woman ushered her new clients into
they could take their turns in consulting her on
business. the nature of which she assured every
While the old soldiers sat in the matrimonial office
the drums were beating in the street below. and
the of the city like the sound of a far or
battle Through the ground glass partition of the
niue staIlS they saw the sllhouettes OF their com
was worse bit OF sklrmish duty than any they
could remember when they were with Buel or Nc
Clelian in 60. So they retreated.
Did you want to register or advertiser inquired
the discreet woman of each man who brave
enough to stay OF course. he had only the vaguest
idea what was the business routine. so he hinted
that he thought Of marrying again. And II didn't
girls, ~ - ''''
"Oh. I find you any kind OF wife you want
Then her client mopped his forehead and said he
didn't know what kind of a girl he was likely 10
choose He hadn't thought much about it.
You'd better fill this blank" the discreet
woman advised, and then she gave him a mcneil
with which to answer questions about his age
height, weight, color OF his eyes, hair and com
pexion. his religion. occupation. income the value
of his property. the number his children in se
he happened to be a widower the age height
weight complexion and disposition desired In the
wife for whom he had begun a businesslIke ouest
II the old soldier said he hoped he might meet
some the agent collected a IS fee and made an
away for a few hours and returned to face anotber
interview more trying than the first
When the veterans appeared have money and
when they had to admit that there reasons
why the visit 10 matrimonial bureau should not
be known the agent arranged introductions at her
home. These cases were not unusual for the chill
contemplated weddings
Out West Madison-st. another matrimonial
agency did Dig business Here things not
quite so smoothly managed the first place.
but the clients appeared to be satisfied After they
had gained the courage 10 take the first step they
MANIFESTED the same bravery that had distin-
guished them in siege and skirmish more than a
generation before 1t is estimated that least
the various matrimonial offices
There is nothing amusing about my business"
declared one OF the agents uniting OF hearts
and fortunes. In the ten years Of our successfuI
trade we have established six thousand happy
homes. You notice that I emphasizes the. Uord
happy The old soldiers showed their good sense
by coming to They know that our experience
in business ought to count for something We
give him the benefit OF our knowledge OF human
nature have no doubt that two hundred three