The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1909-05-13
Beginning theBeginning
copyright. 1909, by American Press Asso-

ciation.]
II am practical chap and believe
in marriages made on common sense
principles. What does a man want to
go and get intoxicated on love potions
for and then settle the most important
matter In his life!'
This was my reply to Eggleston
when he got off lot of folderol about
love and sentiment and all that adj
init l was interested, for | was medi-
tating proposal myself. ! felt very
sure Lydia would have me. Why
shouldn't she? | was passable fell
low; some property Of my own; doing
we'll in business; fairly educated and
of good social position. That's the
view ] expected Lydia to take of me
and union with me, not whether she
would decline me on the ground that
! didn't get maudlin over her or she
over me. The question was, Having a
fairly good offer with a chance to set
tie down into matrimonial life, was
she to accept it or run the risk of not
getting another as acceptable? So
went to her and said:
Miss Brinsley, I'm going to make
you roposition-namely, that we
pass our lives together as man and
wife till death do us part"
She looked Mt me out Of q pair Of
steely eyes for q few moments and
said:
How about divorce:"
I've noticed that, no matter how
composedly man makes up his mind
to deal with woman, she straight
way sets about to discompose him.
THE more common sense we put
into marriage the less likelihood
there'll be Of divorce" said.
ut is the only part Of marriage in
which there is likelihood. Death is
certain. Divorce is possible, sometimes
probable. 1t is contingency that
should be provided for"
ut seems to me that the first ques
ton to he settled is whether you are
prepared to enter upon matrimony
with me. After that we can take VI
the provisions, If there are any"
'Thats just like man-always get
ting the cart before the horse Il
seems to me that the provisions should
be settled first The marriage is mere
~ possible conclusion to them"
"Good gracious!' exclaimed under
my breath. was not prepared tt
hear woman speak Of proposition
of marriage as categorical syllogism
Suppose" | said, chat we leave di
vorce till the last of the provisions or
rather, contingencies and begin will
something OF more immediate con
Germ"
"Well, what's your income!'
Again l WINGED, not so much at tn
question as at her cold blooded name
Of asking it. However, I considere
1t an eminently proper one to ask an.
responded frankly:
II have from investments $780,"
"Real estate, bonds, stocks or what :!
This was getting irritating. | wa
becoming flustered.
"After all, l was right in the frs
place." said, bit sharply. You ex
pect me to lay bare all my affairs t
you when you haven't given me tn
slightest intimation that if they ar
satisfactory you will accept me for
husband"
II was not aware" she replied Jelly
"that expected anything. though
that you were the expectant person"
0 heavens! Worse and worse! sa
feeling and doubtless looking like
fool took out my handkerchief an
wiped my lips-they didn't need wiz
ing-then busted some specks off M
coat collar, then crossed one leg owe
the other and said nothing. Neithe
did Lydia.
II Think said presently, that
!, had better
!. "Begin all ovcr!'
A desire to get even with her b.
saying something smart took posses
sion of me. When man tries to bea
woman by saying something smar
he always gets deeper in the mud.
"Or drop the subject" | said, wit
some hauteur.
"You haven't taken it UP yet wa
her imperturbable reply.
What did she mean by this, l VOL
, dered. Haven't taken it up! though
I'd very much taken it up.
perhaps you haven't understood,
. l said, what I've been talking about.
II dare say l haven't"
Didn't make myself plain?"
"That depends upon what you ha
to say"
/ was getting more miffed every mt
8 ment. looked ominously at the dool
. but it didn't seem to frighten her.
4 rose. That didn't frighten her either.
"On reflection" l said, II think m
3 powers of stating things may be bel
:. ter adapted to some other intellect"
"Male or female?'
This broke me up completely.
D stood stupidity looking down at m
] toes.
"Why don't you 60 and explain it t
! some nice man and let him come an
J tell 1t to me-" she remarked.
There was nothing to be gained wit
! this cool creature. But her GOODNESS
2 the disappointment | suffered, every
thing, maddened me. secuted NJ