The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-02-12
Miss Whitcomb' S
Association
BY ESTHER VANDEVlER

Miss Bonfield, lady OF hfty-two, sun
handsome, her ford complexion con-
trasting with her white hair. was sit
ting in her boudoir one morning when
she received a card bearing the name
OF Eben Farnsworth. In a corner OF
the card was written. Miss Whitcomb's
Association"
Miss Whitcomb, not having had any
experience in matrimony herself, sur
prised her friends by organizing an as
sociation for the promotion of matri-
mony among those who had passed
the heydey of youth. Her plan was to
introduce the men members TO the wo-
men, not in assembly. but by sending
the men 10 call on the women. She
would suggest to a certain man to call
on certain woman. All he had to do
by way of introduction was to write
Miss Whitcomb's Association" on his
card.
This plan gave great success to the
association. Miss Whitcomb knew that
elderly persons could not be got out in
assembly for such purpose. but she
also knew that any lonely unmarried !
man would be pleased to meet any UNI
married woman with view to matri- !
mony. BY a call neither party would
be observed by others or would be sub |
ject to ridicule. 1t must be admitted
that the organizer was very shrewd.
Miss Bonfield looked at the card
which was handed TO her by her maid
for some time, during which thoughts
seemed to be coursing through hei
brain, Then she told her maid to tell
the gentleman that she would be down
presently. In this case presently meant
half an hour, for Miss Bonfeld chang
ed her costume and had her hair done
in a different style. When she took a
last look at herself in mirror she had
reason TO be well satisfied
Mr.. Farnsworth was fifty-fve. we'll
man of dignifed appearance
and old style in manner. He arose at
Miss Bonfeld's entrance. made court
~ bow and said:
Having placed ourselves in Miss
whitcomb's hands, madam, nothing re-
mains for US to do but abide by those
arrangements that have been made for
us. Therefore / take 1t for granted
that no apology is necessary. 1t gives
me great pleasure to make your ac-
quaintance. madam
~ approve" replied the lady. "of
Miss Whitcomb's idea. and she has
shown great delicacy in carrying it
,ut / have joined the association
rather for the purpose Of supporting
II understand you perfectly. 1t is
not necessary for you to join matri-
nonial association for the purpose of
being married yourself. but you APP
prove of its object and have given II
four patronage by becoming a men,
,sr." ,
"In my own individual case there is
| special reSson for not caring TO mar
y. i am going to confess to you that
suffered a disappointment In my
-outh." ,
Some unworthy scamp, / suppose, 9
rified with /.
Not at all. He was a young man r
4 great promise and. / understand. has n
urned out remarkably well. II was 4
who was at fault. was young. fool |
sh and infatuated with the game of {,
ove. / rejoiced in torturing my lover q
nd finally, by pretending dissatisfae-
lon with him, drove him away"
II dare say that many members OF
ur association have had the same ex- Is
erience. ! myself In my youth loved II
beautiful and accomplished girl. We Ir
uarreled. IL is the ladys privilege q
fter a quarrel TO await the coming OF a
he man with the olive branch. i was q,
% proud TO offer st." n,
The lady was silent for few mo- d
rents. then said: Il doubt IL you can n,
ndo at this late date what has been %
one. Even II you should meet the y
Irl who possessed your heart when
on were young she would not be the
ime 10 you as II you and she had
rown old together. You must remem- 4
er that she would now be, suppose. "
rer City years Of age" 90
Just dfty-two. madam" d
You seem to have kept everything so
,ncerning her in your memory III
Il have. She was exactly eve feet 20