Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-11-30
A One Day Wooing.

A One Day Wooing.
after ten years of drudgery in a huge
chemical factory, Arnold Hewitt succeed
ed in gaining a post as chief lecturer at
large technical institute, with hand
some salary and leisure for research and
experiments. To his mind this repre-
sented a sort of earthly paradise, almost
too good to be true.
The house needs woman he said.
Il must marry
Arnold was very methodi5al, and,
though slow in manner, prompt in ac-
ton. To arrive at a conclusion was.
with him, to act upon it at 'once. A
decision once made, he began to plan the
best method of carrying it out.
OF course, he had always intended to
marry some day. he told himself.
Though devoted to his profession, he
wished to have home and children like
other men. He had waited so long be.
cause he had not been in position to
offer woman comfortable home; now
it was different why wait any longer?
He gathered up the remains of his
lcomfortless meal, and took the tray to
the kitchen. Then, returning to his
study, took out notebook and pencil. and
set himself to make list Of those young
women of his acquaintance whom he
considered most suitable to fill the va
can't post of wife to Arnold Hewitt, ana
lytical chemist, bachelor. aged 33.
/ Always shy and reserved, entirely Civ
en- to his work, he had made no friends
IN the city nor met any women of his
own class. 1t was necessary then to
recall to mind the girls he had known in
his native town, girl friends of his sisters,
schoolmates, whom, save for odd times at
Christmas, he had not met for years. 1t
was rather a difficult task.
| Whom shall call on first 70 he asked
himself. Ruth, / think; the last time |
saw her she was teaching for very little
money and trying to keep the family out
of it; dear old Ruth, can offer her
something better than that now; / will
go there firfist." He wrote the name and
address down in his notebook.
Then there was Maggie; she used to
be rather frivolous, but it is good 10 be
merry; goodness knows / am solemn
enough for two. | win put her second.
| Now had better have a third. One
never knows what may have happened
whom else do / know? Oh, there was
Annie, little stiff and old-fashioned she
was, but kind and gentle. / will note her
down; that makes three and that should
be enough. / will go down to Bentley to-
morrow, and shall be able to return the
same night"
Having thus made plans for the ar
ranging of his future happiness and COM
| fort, this serious young man went to
bed, well content with his contemplated
quest in search of suitable wife.
|
Arnold was tall, with pale complex
ion, slightly pompous in manner, and
slow of speech. He looked his best, how
ever, when, after few hours Journey to
his native town, wearing his frock coat
and well brushed silk hat, he walked
down the sordid, depressing street, where
| lived his old playfellow, Ruth.
| He. stopped before the house and
glanced up at the windows. The cur
tains We're faded and shabby, an air of
genteel poverty prevailed. He walked up
the narrow, tagged path and rang the
bell vigorously. The door was opened
by Ruth herself, wearing brown dress
and Holland apron Arnold gniled, and
his plain features softcned wonderfully
when he smiled.
well, Ruth" he said in his stiff, soil
emn way, ''how do you DOR
"Arnold!" she cried 'Is it possible?
How good it is to see you again; do
come in. Why, it's years since you have
been here"
| He followed her into the shabby front
parlor, seated himself in the armchair,
put his hat carefully on the floor by his
side, and placed mis- gloves within; then
| he regarded Ruth with an air at once
kindly and critical. She slipped off her
apron and seated herself in low chair
near to him.
II thought you were the grocer" she
explained. 81 am waiting for the flour
| to make cakes, and now tell me how
you are and what has brought you home,
and all your news"
Arnold smiled again, looking down at
her. II have come on business. You
have altered very little. Ruth"
"On the outside, perhaps" she replied
but withinah that is another matter
! ! am 100 years older, and wiser, and
sadder than when you saw me last"
81 am sorry to hear you say So" said
he, relapsing into his slow, pompons
manner. 81 will explain to you the OBJ
iect of my visit without delay"
He hesitated for moment, then went
on.
"You see, it's like this. Ruth. / have
just obtained an excellent appointment.
have now a good income. but my life
| is lonely and comfortless; | need wife,
pleasant home Ruth, will you marry
met"
! She looked IN Mt him in amazement
MARRY you, Arnold" she cried, why
S
"Stopi" interrupted he, don't answer
me vet, hear me out"
His pompous manner dropped. his
voice deepened, he was in earnest; he
leaned forward and took both her hands
| in his.
81 have always loved you, dear,
though did not always know it; do you
remember how you used to tease me
-. -ohayl 9 .kha Sunny Ala