The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-07-17


 and listened as much as And somebody said, on top of the story, that great safeguard to marry youne if had sense enough to choose the right wifevhen he her. That's what set think ing.
 The story wasn't very funny, seems to me. I think it was ever SO good of him pray for her when he didn't know her, and to add her to the whole list of things he wanted (Once just before Christmas, I went to sleep saying my prayers the list long. And if mother hadn't found me, I'd have had Lungs, what with the draught she says. But hadn't thought about my wife then) And mother needn't have sup posed I'd pray for my wife just because heard about boy that did I'd find out what she was like first, anyway and decide if wanted her don't see why it's safeguard either but I didn't say word about 1t Only began to look around at everybody and make up my mind.
 It's, trpe it sets you thinking There were ever so many gifis liked very well; but just as as I adopted any of them irtany head, and called it my wife, she began to look different There's Olive She'd be n enough if she wasn't forever losing things out of her pockets and of her dress all creation; and long as we're in school, we boys have to pick them up for her; bat out of school-catch mel When do, keep lem. I've got six hair-ribbons and eleven jack stones, and three postage stamps, and button, and half whole string of little shiny green beads she was stringing and list of exports and perfect mil lions of handkerchiefs, which saves me taking mine And it's all very well keep these things for fun; but you'd get fearfully tired picking them up.
 
 And then there Nettic; never thought half so much of her We used to pull her hair when we went by, and say. Hello, astrakhanf' Cts that curly black fur; my mother has jacket made of it) But soon as began to decide about my wife, thought shed better have curly hair If she could look like Nettie, and run like Olive she'd be all right
 Then there's Dot Tyler she isn't so pretty and she's good deal too smart, and she knows it But she has nice mother, and I've been there to Tea They know exactly what you like to eat and how much And they have the best shortcake you ever heard of So think it would De nice if Dots mother came and lived with mean, if I made up my mind to marry Dot I mean, I thought. Because I've changed my mind about lots of things.
 It isn't easy you might suppose though looking for your wife People keep driving it your mind all day; and if you get thinking in schooltme you're be kept after, for nattention And you de- eide, and try get errand her house to see her again. her people don't know what you're there for, and they don't always send her down. And then you can't tell whether you want her mother to keep house for you until they ask you stay to Tea And then there's all the other things think about-just now it's marbles But what started me off hunting in earnest football mean, was teasing mother to let play and. of course she wouldn't for years and years-perfect ages. And said right out, "If you don't, I'll .just-get rarriedr And she laughed and laughed and laughed and said "Oh you've been think ing over that story of Uncle Harry's. knew you would remember that" So I was mad. I asked her more, well why can't begin to play football now" Bnt she would't give in. And so didn't say one word more about my Wife But just went out hunting don't remember the day 1t first came into my head but afternoon thought of the greatest Ideal They sent with a note over to Mrs Robert sons and there her daughter, who had been Abroad for years and years. just home (She' grew up there, and she knows everything you can) Wel there she was sitting the piazza. with man; and they talked while waited for the to mothers note. I suppose my wife my mind, but any, how, the minute I saw him, knew he hunting for his Wife, too, He kept looking much at her and thinking it over And could he was staying and staying and hoping they'd ask him to Tea. And he looked so hard at her that it gave me an Idea
 grown-up wifei Oh my, wouldn't she have been simply greatl And grown-up, too. Cor as long you have to wait till you're grown Up before you get married, ts much sensible after all, to choose your wife when she's grown up, too. You're not half sure what she'll be like, when you see her running round in short sclothes) This simply Well, wasn't she pretty, though You'd have wanted to her with her hair down, like Nettes and Olives and Dots It that shiny kind gold and reddish, that used to call Carrots Carrots for she wouldn't know hew much we liked it. eve pretended that it