The Van Buren press., 1904-03-19
MARK HANNA'S COURTSHIP
How, When a Young Grocer, He
Wooed and Won the Daughter
of Daniel Rhodes.

Nearly 80 years ago Mark Hanna
was just starting on his business ca
reer as a grocer in Cleveland. He
was poor, ploddlng, and to the casual
observer a very everyday sort Of young
man, says she Pittsburg Dispatch.
Daniel Rhodes was one OF the rich
coal owners OF the state. He had one
daughter. Gussie, the very idol Of his
| soul. Around this lovely girl the
brusque old father had wreathed all
the sentiment, all the hopes OF his fu-
ture existence. Everything was to be
done for Gussle. Mrs. Rhodes, her
fond mother, was a joint idolator at
the daughters shrine, and the doting
| parents had dreams of a rich. iniluen-
tial sutton, a splendid marriage and a
brilliant social career for GussIe.
when, as usual, the unexpected hap
pened Gussle Rhodes met and loved
the obscure, poor young man, Mark
Hanna. Mr.. Rhodes was astounded
when the daring young grocer called
upon him and asked for the hand OF his
daughter. lie refused absolutely to
grant the young sutton even time
enough to beg He said mo- curtly
| and sharply, and when he saw his
| daughter he tried to scold her, but In.
stead he took her In his honest arms
and begged her not to think OF this
unknown man, Hanna" He said he
never, never could consent to such a
choice for his child.
Gussle Rhodes told her father. with
many a reassurng embrace. that she
would never marry without his con-
sent. and she added: But, papa dear.
I shall never marry any man but Mark
| Hanna"
Then she promised her father not 10
see her lover or write TO him for
year at least. She kept her promise.
and In the course OF few weeks, al
though she never audibly murmured.
and was sweetly gentle and loving 10
all about her, she grew pale and wan.
She neither ate no slept The old IA
Their was at his wits end Some one
proposed foreign tour for that change
OF scene which Is supposed to work
wonders in heart affections, and.
presto at a few hours notice. father.
mother and daughter were on board
an Atlantic liner.
For nearly year the change OF
scene prescription was faithfully pur-
sued and the patient, always cheerfully
submissive. gentle and charming, OBJ
vlously grew Trailer day by day, Al.
most in despair the old man brought
his child home again and one morn
ing he gathered the courage to ask
her II she TIL cared for Mark Hanna.
"Why, father" she replied. Il shall
always love Mark | told you that.
you know, year ago"
Poor old Uncle Dan" Rhoies' That
was bitter day for him. but he was
equal TO the occasion. Sending for the
obscure young man. he said to him
"Mr. Hanna, Gussie loves you, that IL
my only reason for accepting you as
her future husband. You are poor. I'll
| Ak II 10 Gussie can live as she has
been accustomed to and | suppose
must see you marry her"
Now the coming young man cast ever
no slight a shadow OF his future great
ness on the opportunity OF tho present
"Mr, Rhodes Pad he, II most crate.
fully accept the gift OF your daughters
love. To marry her is for this world to
become paradise for mo, but | cannot
make her my wife unless she will be
content to live as my means will enable
US. can neither accept aid nor per.
nit my wife to accept II from any
one"
SO Mark Hanna and Gugie Rhodes
were married, aLd the bride went from
her fathers big house to live In a tiny
little cottage, whore with ono maid OF
all work. she was as happy as n queen
for some years.