The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-02-14
HOW FAMOUS MEN
POPPED QUESTION
Eccentric Proposals by Cele-
brated Statesmen, Scent
lists and Artists.

That there is no accounting for the
eccentricitieS of lovers is sufficiently prov
ed by the odd methods in which many
OF the worlds greatest men have Wooed
and won their wives.
When Schunann. the famous composer
fell head over heels in love with Clara
-Nieck, his masters daughter, his path
OF courtShip was by means one of
roses, for Herr Week had no wish to see
his only daughter the wife of a pennilesS
musician. and he forbade the young low
ers 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 series of Letters to Clara
printed in musical journal of which he
When the time was ripe for settling
his destiny he made music the vehicle
OF his passion, and actually proposed to
cara on the piano, under the nose of
her father. without single word being
uttered, and received her joyful assent
through the same medium.
Edison's method of wooing was no less
eccentric One day he strolled into one
o. his WorkrOOmS and stood behind the
chalr OF a pretty operator, who was alb
SOrbed in her work. When the girl gIanc-
ed round and. looking shyly up at him,
said. 4 knew it was you. Mr. Edison.
always know when you are near he
answered, to her amazement:
I've been thinking a great deal about
You lately, and If you are willing to mar
~ me. l would like to marry you. -
A month later the pretty employe was
promoted 10 partnership which she
has never since regretted.
Spohr won his wife with equally dra-
matte suddenness After playing a duet
der, beautiful and gifted harpist, and
while the tumult of applause was still
ringing in their ears, he said to his COM
paniOn. 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 eloquent
preacher OF century ago. called to see
Miss COrbett, wealthy adrirer of his
oratOry, for whom he had conceived a not
altogether platOnic affection he found her
reading the Bible. Stealing up behind
what she was reading. when, without
showing any recognition of his presence,
the lady's forednger rested on the words
OF Nathan to David; Thou art the
man Even a less marked hint would
have been sufficient for DR.. Dawson, and
We cannot wonder that Miss Corbett
changed her name.
DR.. Abernethy. the famous physician,
was as abrupt in his cOurtShip as in his
treatment of his patients. When, after
Anna ThTelfal would make a desirable
life partner. he promptly wrote to tell
her so. in direct, business like way.
He told her frankly that he was much
too busy a man to have time to spare for
ve-making. but if she was willing to
marry him she might let him know in
week. Miss Threlfall did let him know,
and the answer was favorable.
abSurdly easy for him. He had completed
a portrait OF Miss Burr. charming young
sitter was SO delighted with her present
ment that she more than limited that
while she took the copy the artist might
claim the original GainSbOrOugn did not
decline such a tempting offer.
For constancy it would be difficult to
manhood Jeremy Bentham proposed for
the hand OF a young lady. who promptly
refused him. Forty. years later he re
newed his offer with the same result;
and still loyalty cnerishing his love in old
age. he proposed again at the age of
eighty in a touching letter, in which ne
wrote: Since the day when YOU present.
ed me with the flower in the lane not
single day has passed in which you have
not enSroSSed my thoughts.
Bismarck's iron resolution was never
better demonstrated than in his lovemak-
ding. At his first meeting with the lady
who was to share his life for so many
Years he proposed to her and was accept
ed, and on the following day presenting
himself at the house of her parents who
knew him only a young man of unde-
Birable reputation, he demanded the young
1ady'S hand and refused to leave the
house until his suit was granted.
Probably no gallant who ever laid his
heart at a fair lady'S feet was more un-
decided than Lord Byron when he wrote
the letter which committed him to his
unhappy marriage with Miss Milbanke He
had just proposed to another lady and
as he held her letter of refusal in his
land. he said to a friend: ''It seems that
At is to be Miss Milbanke after all; will
write TO her He sat down and wrote
she fatal letter." handing it to his friend
for perusal.
"A pretty letter. the friend remarked.
after reading it. 1t is a pity that it
shouldn't go" ''Then it shall go.' ex-
Claimed Byron. and thus opened one of
ne most tragic CHAPTERS of his checkered
1te*Story.-Chicago Tribune