The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-19
QUAINT wooIncs.
Eccentric courtships Of Some Of the
Great Men


That there is no accounting for the
eccentricities of lovers is sufficiently
proved, says the London Express. By
the odd methods In which many of the
worlds great men have wooed and
won their wives.
When Schumann, the famous COM
poser, fell head over heels In love with
Clara Wieck, his masters daughter.
his path of courtship was by no means
one of roses, for Herr Wieck had no
wish to see his only daughter the
wife Of a penniless musician. and he
forbade the young lovers to hold any
communication with each other.
But love laughs at parental frowns;
and as Schumann could not even write
to his lady love he poured out his
soul to her in a series OF Letters to
Clara" printed in a musical journal Of
which he was editor.
When the time was ripe for settling
his destiny he made music the vehicle
of his passion, and actually proposed
to Clara on the piano under the very
nose of her father, without a single
word being uttered, and received her
joyful assent through the same me-
dium.
Edison's method of woolng was no
less eccentric. One day he strolled in
to one of his workrooms and stood be-
hind the chair Of a pretty operator
who was absorbed in her work. When
the girl glanced around, and, looking
shyly up at him, said:
II knew 1t was you, Mr.. Edison. I
always know when your are near" He
answered, to her amazement:
"I've been thinking great deal
about you lately; and IL you are will
ing to marry me, | would like to marry
you"
A month later the pretty employe
was promoted to partnership"
which she has never since regretted.
Spohr won his wife with equally dra-
matte suddenness. After playing duet
at court concert with Dorette Scheid-
ler beautiful and gifted harplst, and
while the tumult of applause was still
ringing in their ears, he said to his
companion:
"Shall We play together thus
through life?"
For answer "the lady burst into
tears and sank into his arms"
One day when DR.. Dawson, an elo-
quent preacher of a century ago, called
to see Miss Corbett, wealthy admirer
of his oratory. for whom he had con.
ceived a not altogether platonic affec-
ton. he found her reading the Bible.
Stealing up behind her, he looked
over her shoulder to see what she wao
reading. when, without showing any
recognition of his presence, the lady's
foreflnger rested on the words of
nathan to David:
Thou art the man."
Even less marked hint would have
been sufficient for DR.. Dawson, and
we cannot wonder that ldlss Corbett
soon changed her name.
DR.. Abernethy, the famous physi-
clan, was as abrupt in his courtship
as in his treatment OF his patients.
When after a single meeting, he de-
cided that Miss Anna Threfall would
make a desirable life partner, he
promptly wrote to tell her so in di-
rect, businesslilSe way. He told her
frankly that he was much too busy
man to have time to spare for love-
making" but IL she was willing to
marry him she Taight let him know,
and the answer was favorable.
Gainsborough's wooing was made al
most absurdly easy for him. He had
completed a portrait of Miss Burr, a
charming young lady of 16 summers.
when his fair sitter was so delighted
her presentment that she more than
limited that, while she took the
than hinted that, while she took the
copy, the artist might claim the orig
inal. Gainsborough did not decline
such tempting offer.
For constancy 1t would be difficult to
find a rival for Jeremy Bentham. In
early manhood Jeremy Bentharh pro-
posed for the hand Of young lady,
who promptly refused him.
Forty years later he renewed his Of
fer, with the same result; and, still
Loyalty cherishing his love In his old
age, he proposed again, at the age Of
so, in q touching letter, in which he
wrote:
"Since the day when you presented
me with the flower in the lane not
single day has passed in which you
have not engrossed my thoughts"
Bismarcks iron resolution was never
better demonstrated than in his love-
making. At his first meeting with the
lady who was to share his life for so
many years he proposed to her, and
was accepted, and on the following
day, presenting himself at the house of
her parents, who knew him only as
young man 81 undesirable reputation,
he demanded the young lady's hand
and refused to leave the house until
his suit was granted.