The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-11-22
A MATRIMONIAL
BLUNDER
.Original.l


A girl stood peeping through an open
ing made by a door standing slightly
ajar. She soliloquized thus:
Not very good looking. Nose very
bad. Hair fine and glossy, but there's
not enough of it. A little too tall and
slender"
1t was in the old city OF Genoa.
where many of the marriages are
brought about by brokers. They keep
a list of marriageable girls and their
good points. such as accomplishments,
beauty, fortunes, etc. The brokers ar
range the marriage for the would be
groom with the girls parrnta. and the
couple are introduced aftcrward. Either
party may recede after the introduce
ton, but If the man wishes to do so lie
must pay the brokerage and expenses.
Such an arrangement had been made
for the union of Nittori Conc and Lu-
ella Armoleo. and the young lady. hay
ing made UP her mind what course to
pursue, opened the door and stepped
into the apartment where the gentle
man awaited her Ten minutes later
he left the house. and Signorina Armo-
dec joined her mother in the library.
II think" said the daughter indecis-
lively. that shall decline to fulfill the
contract. He is either very wise or
very stupid, for lie opened his eyes
upon me-tl.ey are his only redeemng
feature = but scarcely opened his
mouth
The front door creaked and her fa-
Their entered
Its all off. he said
What do YOU mean:' asked the
daughter, starting.
II met Signor Conci on the doorstep.
He declines to completes the contract.
lie chose rather to pay all expenses.
However. since you are only seventeen.
there is yet time
Indeed there is" replied the daugh-
ter under her breath and with dan
gerons glitter in her eye.
One evening soon after this episode
Vittor and Lucia met at Il ball.
Good evening. signor" she said II
am glad to meet you again Because
we do not marry there is no reason why
we may not be friends" and, slipping
her hand within his arm. she walked
away with him. The orchestra was
playing one of Straus' delightful
waltZes, and what could the Young
man do but propose that they should
dance? Then, when they had finished
the girl proposed that thcy should sit
awhile in a recess and chat He seem
ed embarrassed at first. but his COM
panion put him at his ease. Indeed, be-
fore they parted he felt bold enough to
apologize for having refused to marry
her. but his courage forsook him and
he stammerel incoherently.
Don't speak of that she said. 1T
was presumptuous in me even to think
Of such a thing. You are so much
brighter than I. so prominent socially;
a marriage between us was not to be
considered. Besides. there is too great
n difference in our ages
Il am thirty" lie remarked. some
What chopfallen.
And am only seventeen. Thirteen
years is Il great difference respect
elderly men. but chit like myself
should not aspire to marry one Of
| them''
Nittori went home feeling very rn-
| comfortable. Lucia in her ball dress
had appeared far more to advantage
| than in home costume. He regretted
his decision. But what troubled him
| most WAS to have been informed that
he was passing into an age which
young girls consider old
| One day Nittori met the broker who
had made the contract for him. The
man chded him for withdrawing. Wit
| tori admitted that he had made q mis-
| take.
I'm fin up new contract" said the
broker.
I'm pay YOU another commission"
Done
a few days later the broker notified
| Nittori that new contract had been
made with Signor Armodeo for his
daughters hand. Nittori was much
pleased. He did not know how Lucia
felt in the matter, but Italian girls
We're used to obeying their fathers.
There would be no trouble
One day the broker Informed Wit
tori that all had been arranged and
! lie might call upon Lucia as soon as he
liked He found Lucia arrayed in
her most dainty visiting costume, with
hat and gloves.
I'll ann pleased to see YOU, Signor
Conci, but fear there has been mis-
take. My father has Informed me that
lie had made new contract for us.
/ This he has done without my consent
Yesterday was eighteen and of age.
coming into my fortune. l am sorry
il you are disappointed. AS have
told YOU. your gray hairs stand be-
tween u.s.
MY gray hairs" said the astonish-
cd Niltori. II was not aware that
had one.'
You must not be put to expense in
this matter. Here is my check for the
commission. Good evening. l am sor-
" IN hln, ant TO