The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-09
BY oP1E READ.
THE INCORPORATED GIRL

One morning on the steps of a large Slub n q great city was four d a gir, baby. At noon time when rich men came to lunch and to loll, the child was brought forth and exhibited. She was a pretty little thing and some one said that it would be a shame to send her to foundling's home. Then old John Parker. bull on the board, spoke up. T say. gentleman, why not incorl porate her? Say for instance that she is worth s25,U00. She ought to be worth that. All right. Nov I'll start the market by taking s2,5oO worth of stock" Within two hours the stock was all sold. and then the child was named Mary Stockton. A comfortable home was provided 1hd occasionally the stock-holders would go over to look at their investment. Never for even a day was Mary indisposed. Old John laughiHgly called her a bullish market. He had but one child, son, and often took him to see her.
 In the excitement of speculation the years pass swiftly, and soon 1t was in order to send Mary to school. An old and richly endowed institution was se- lected and the incorporated girl was enrolled sa student. Old John Park CT. making more money than he we'll knew what to do with, conceived the idea of buying up all tEe stock. He did 1t so quietly that there was not even the suggestion of furry. Gossip said that he did this because he was a wid- over. The years continued to fly. Old John received news that Mary, the in- COT porated, was soon to be graduated, and to college he went to see the ceremonies. He had always been at l .l she called him MT. President She was grateful to him. He, walked with her out beneath the trees. Is my stock likely to go up after am grad uated?" she playfully inquired.
 Tt is not on the market. my dear .' old John replied.
 What has become of the other stock holders?"
 "They are as chaf, and the winds scattered them"
 And what do you intend to do with he. MT. President?'
 "I have a business proposition to make to you"
 But I don't know anything about business. I haven't been taught along that line. But what is the proposi- tion?'
 q will add a premium of s1OO,o00 tc the stock and give it all to you-foI yourself. Then you will not be Tn debt. and you must know that 1t is . good thing for a corporation to be sol want"
 "For myself? Do you mean that you want to marry me?"
 "Yes, my dear. I thought my words were plain enough
 "They were, Mir. President - tot plain. You know that l respect yot- am fond of you-b1t can't marry yot flor I don't love you-in romantic way. and all marriages should be based on romantic love-"
 "That's what you think, but by tn: time you are as old as I am you VII know that nearly all divorces have hac romantic love as foundation.
 "Oh, when I am as old as you are Mir. President, I may know man! things of which I am now darkly ig. norant and by the time I am that ole I may be willing to marry an old man I surely should not expect to marry a
 "Well. you have decided, and 1t is now time for me to decide. shall pu' vour stock on the market"
 Do you mean that, MT. President?
 Every word of it."
 "Sell it to me and l will pay you with interest. Now listen, for l am eoirg to talk frankly They tell me that I have a marvellous voice ana feel that I have. I shall go into opera become famous, I instinctiveiy feei'