The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-01-29
PERSISTENT LOVERS.
WOMEN WHO WERE MARRIED IN
SPITE OF THEMSELVES.

Would Seem to Justify VOltaire's
Cynical Declaration That "Any Man
Can Wed Any Woman"
"Any man can marry any woman"
Voltaife once cynically declared, IF he
only pursues her long enough" This.
at any rate was the experience of ia
cob Halliday, a well known character
in the north of England a couple of
generations ago.
Never did lover win a wife under
such discouraging conditions as Jacob,
soundly horsewhipped by the young
lady's father and ducked in a conven-
lent pond.
'Ill ask her again next year." Jacob
spluttered as he emerged from his
bath, the fire of his passion not a whit
quenched by his cold douche. "Regu-
larly once year, on the anniversary
of his first proposal and immersion"
Nicholson says in his biography of Mr..
Halliday, Jacob attired himself in his
finest raiment and presented his peti
ton, always with the same negative re.
suit. When he presented himself, now
fourth time, the lady greeted his ap-
pearance with peal of laughter. It's
no good, Jacob, l see,' she exclaimed.
4 may as we'll give in now as later, but
what a faint hearted creature the i'm
Fortunate widow was compared with
your"
Sheridan took an equally bold course
when he sought to win the fairest of
the beautiful daughters of Linley, the
composer of Bath. who was strongly
opposed to the suit of the brilliant
young poet and dramatist. His lady
love, too, was beset by an army of
suitors, many of them far more eligi-
BILE than the penniless law student. The
circumstances called for bold and de-
cisive action. After threatening to de-
stroy himself if the lady refused his
advances and fighting a couple of duels
with one of his most formidable rivals
Sheridan took the bold step of running
away with Miss Linley and conducting
her to French nunnery, where she re-
manned in confinement until succumb-
ing to her lovers daring and persist
ence, she consented to marry him.
An amusing and characteristic story
is told of Lord Beaconsfield in the
days when he was wooing Mrs. Lewis
to whom in later years of married life
he was so touchingly devoted.
One day Mrs Lewis, who was then
living in retirement at her seat in Gla-
morganshire, saw a gentleman walking
leisurely up the drive. Jane" she ex-
al irnoH IN IN old So1.voDf W ho-
lieve that hOrrid man Disraeli is COM
ing up the drive. Do, please, run to the
door and say I'm not at home" Jane
opened the door to the undesired caller
and gravely announced her message.
81 know" Disraeli coolly answered,
"but take my bag to a bedroom and
prepare luncheon. l will wait until
Mrs. Lewis is ready to come down
stairs" which, of course, Mrs. Lewis
felt compelled to do a few minutes
later.
"Oh, dear, what can l do with such
an obstinate, thick skinned MANI" the
widow asked desperately later in the
day when Disraeli showed no sign of
raising the siege. Marry him, sup
pose, ma'am," was James philosophic
answer, and, as the world knows, the
persistent wooer had his way in the
end in this as in most other things in
life.
A judge, not long deceased, used to
tell diverting story of his wooing. In
those days he was struggling and OBJ
scure lawyer without even the prospect
of an income, and the woman ON whom
hn ho1 &hn
daughter of a purse proud man with a
high sounding name who was strongly
opposed to giving his daughter to a
''penniless lawyer"
do you know, SIR" the father thun-
dered when he was asked for his
daughters hand--"do you know, sir,
that my daughters ancestors have all
been noblemen and that one of them
was favorite minister Of Queen Eliza
beth?" ooh, yes. l know all that" the
young barrister placidly answered,
land do you know that Queen Eliza
beth once slapped your ancestors face,
and unless you are more civil l will do
the same for your" 1t is scarcely sur
prising that so bold and daring lover
had his way in the end, even in the
face of such barrier of ghostly noble
ancestors.
The late Prince Bismarck, it is said,
won his wife in much the same way.
Although he had not known the lady of
his love more than few days and her
parents were not even aware of his ex-
istence, he presented himself one day be-
fore them and boldly asked permission
to marry their daughter. In vain the
father fumed and clustered and threat
ened to have the young man forcibly
elected from the house for his imperti-
nence. II am sorry to annoy you. SIR"
the young soldier said, but l must re-
specially decline to leave the house
until have your consent" Nor did he,
although the consent was given in these
words: "Well, suppose you
must have your way, but cannot COM
pliment my daughter on her choice of a
mule for q husband"