Newport weekly independent., 1904-12-16
MARK tiANNA's coURTsHlP
How, When a Young Grocer, He Wooed and Won the Daughter
 of Daniel Rhodes.

~SNAAS o9 ISaIS dEo MdTk ttdnna was just starting on his business ca reer as 8 grocer in Cleveland. He was poor, plodding. and to the casual observer very everyday sort of young man, says the 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 flu ture existence. Everything was to be done for Gussie. Mrs. Rhodes, her fond motber, was a joint idolator at the da.ghter's shrine, and tho doting parents had dreams of rich, influen- tial suitor, a splendid marriage and brilliant social career for Gussie, when, as usual, the unexpected hap pened. Gussis Rhodes met and loved the obscure, poor young man, Mark Hanna. MT. Rhodes was astounded when the daring young grocer called. upon him and asked for the hand of his daughter. He refused absolutely to grant the young suitor even time enough to beg. He said Hno" curtly and sharply, and when he saw his daughter he tried to scold her, but in. stead he took her fn his honest arms and begged her not to think of 'this unknown man, Hanna" He said he never, never could consent to such choice for his child
 Gussie Rhodes told her father, with many reassuring embrace. that she would never marry without his con sent, and she added: "But, papa dear, shall never marry any man but Mark Hanna"
 Then she promised her father not to 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 to all about her, she grew pale and wan. She neither ate no slept. The old ia ther 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 few hours notice, father, mother and daughter were on board an Atlantic liner
 For nearly a year the change of scene" prescription was faithfully pur- sued and the patient always cheerfully submissive, gentle and charming, ob- viously grew Trailer day by day. AL most in despair the old man brought his child nome again and one morn ing he gathered the courage to ask her if she till cared for Mark Hanna.
 Why, father" she replied, 1T shall lways love Mark; I told you that, you know, a year lgo."
 Poor old Uncle Dan" Rhodes! That was bitter day for him, but he was equal to the occasion Sending for the obscure young man, he said to him:
 MT. Hanna, Gussie loves you, that Is my only reason for accepting you as her future husband. You are poor. I'll fix it so Gussie can live as she has been accustomed to and I suppose l must see you marry her."
 Now the coming young man cast ever 80 slight shadow of his future great ness on the opportunity of the present.
 "Mr. Rhodes said he, T most grate- fully accept the gift of your daughters love. To marry her Is for this world to become a paradise for me. but cannot make her my wife unless she will be content to live as my means will enable us. I can neither accept aid nor per- init my wife to accept 1t from any one"
 So Mark Hauna and Gussie Rhodes were married. aLa the bride went from her fathers big house to live in . tiny little cottage, where with one maid of all work, she was as happy as queen for some years.
 ---------------------------