The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1912-07-18
Dipping Into
Statistics

Dlo you Know, began the young
nan when there came a pause In the
conversation, that am collecting sta.
tistics? Well, am. What is your IA
vorite flower? And please name your
favorite poem"
s The young woman sitting opposite
him laughed. He looked aggrieved.
you don't Seem to realize" he told
her, that l am serious. Well, | am.
Why laugh?"
Il thought you were trying to DO
funny" she told him. Anyhow, YOU
were funny. Wouldn't you rather try
to be funny and succeed than attempt
to be serious and fail?"
This Is no time for harassing ques-
tions," the young man told her. 81 am
sorry you prefer to keep secret your
favorite flower and your most admired
poem, but. of course, respect your at
titude of reserve. However. you might
tell me something else-statistical
also. do not ask who Is your favor
lite man; l simply ask what kind of
man Is your ideal?"
"You are terribly In need of ideas
TOR conversation, aren't your" COM
mented the young woman.
II think have suggested a most In
teresting topic" the young man insist
ed. "You have no idea how devoted
I am to statistics, and II you were at
all kind-hearted you'd not slight the
subject.
81 suppose your IDEAL" the young
man continued. us tall. dark, hand
some youth with flashing BIZ"
"FHddlesticks! said the young wom-
an. Girls aren't as foolish as all
that! A mans looks don't count so
very much. or course. girl wants
man to be presentable and pleasant
looking, but she doesn't care II he Is
actually homely, provided he's the
right sort. Why, I've seen some ugly
men who were simply fascinating-I
don't know why. | suppose 1t was be-
cause they had such strong PERSONAL
ties. shouldn't care at all about
handsome man for husband. Such a
man would be more than likely to be
vain"
I'm glad you are so sensible" COM
mented the young man. ut is cheer
ing to the average grubby specimen OF
manhood to hear a girl talk like that.
You see, II man Is not especially
good looking he feels that the girls
don't care about him. / know how 1t
is myself. I"
"You!" interrupted the young wom-
an. IT hope you don't consider your
self homely?"
81 never took prize at beauty
show" confessed the young man.
Now, let's get back to our statistics.
I suppose your ideal man Is terribly
rich and could shower automobiles
and diamonds upon you with one hand
while he wrote checks with the 9TH
err"
I'm sorry you have such q poor
opinion of me-" said the young wom-
an. ITS all right to have enough
money to pay the grocery bills and
buy decent clothes, but never yearned
for great wealth think rich men are
likely to be awfully selfish and friv-
olous or self-centered and peevish
They don't have time to pay attention
to their families and they drift away
from their wives and get divorces
not any of that for me! No, I think
people are lots happier when they
have modest income and live within
it."
"You certainly are a wonder" de-
clared the young man, admiringly. Il
never knew any other girl with so
much sense. But suppose you'd ex-
pect the man you marry at least to
own his own home and be able to give
you an allowance"
"Half the fun Is working and saving
together for home" said the young
woman. "a girl likes to help the right
sort of man"
What Is the right sort of MANI" in
CURED her caller. eagerly.
She smiled a little, looked airily
over his head and then met his gaze.
why" she said. 81 suppose the right
scrt of man Is the one the girl hap
pens to be in love With"
That sounds plausible" the young
man said. 81 think you've made a
very valuable contribution to my sta
tistics, and I'm greatly obliged to you.
More than that, 1t makes me happy
to find that you care enough about me
to marry me-"
"My goodness!" shrieked the young
woman. 81 never said one single
word"
I'D like to know why not!" he In
sisted. You said that your ideal man
was not good looking and had only a
moderate income and didn't own his
own home, and II that doesn't hit me
I'll eat my hat! You'll never find any
one else so nearly meeting that de-
scription, so you'd better grab me
quick Honest, won't do?"
you are perfectly ridiculous de-
clared the young woman. In confusion.
"D-d-do you really mean it,
Dare me to marry you, and see!
cried the young man, joyously.-Chi-
cago Daily News.
Why He Was Excused.
srXXyhv q won't you doip ps servica In