Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-08-07
Shephedsbwn Jefferson County, Thursday August T. 1913
A Practical Wife Hunter.

~
Old man Burton was saver, if not a
miser. He was widower with one son,
Johnny, who was kept so close so far as
spending money was concerned that he
had no idea his father was rich. How
should he have when the property was
all in gilt edge bonds hidden away in a
box in the vaults of savings and invest
ment company The boy was sent to
school till he was sixteen years old, then
put to work.
One day when Johnny was twenty-five
years old his father died and the young
man was astounded to find himself in
possession OF securities worth half a mil
lion OF dollars. From having nothing to
spend except what he needed for neces-
sites out OF 81 900 year he had now
$4,000.
Though John was very plain young
man, with not much education, and ut
terly unreared to the ways of gentle
man, he had good common sense. He
realized early that no matter how rich a
man is he can spend but moderate sum
without injury TO himself; that to enjoy
recreation one must first work, and that,
as the old song says, 'there's no place
like home." Acting on these principles,
he set himself to the task Of gettinga wife
who had the same quality OF sense as
himself. One who had been brought up
in affluence would be ashamed of him
one who had been brought up in poverty
would not likely find herself married TO a
man with large income without losing
her head.
How was he TO proceed? He had few
if any, acquaintance with young women.
By setting up an establishment he could
easily make acquaintances, but he was
modest enough to think they would only
care for what they could get out of him.
Those who were refined would look
down on him while spending his money,
and those who were not refined would
not know how to spend it.
John had never heard OF the great caliph,
Haroun al Rasclid, who went about dis
guised, looking into the affairs of his
subjects, in order to right wrongs, but he
adopted similar means.
He applied to typewriter manufacture
ing company for position as salesman.
Purchasing horse and wagon suitable
to his purpose, he went aboutfrom house
to house, supposedly looking for custom
ers, but really looking for wife.
His clientele were largely women, and
most of these were young. His method
ofmaking acquaintance proved available.
True, out OF the many he visited he made
the acquaintance of but few. One great
advantage he had hone of the girls he
visited was on her guard, and he was sur-
prised to see how many were selfish,
heartless and unamiable. Many were the
snubs he received, now and again girl
got up for fascinating purposes slamming
the door in his face with harsh Don't
want any typewriters." John could not
help thinking how different would be his
reception if she knew that he was look
ing for wife to help him spend $25, 600
year.
One morning he called at house where
he was received at the door by nice
looking young woman, who said to him
kindly:
81 would be glad TO buy typewriter
of you for two reasons. In the first
place, could make money if owned
one, and, in the second, ! always sympa-
thize with those who are compelled TO
make their living by canvassing. know
how hard it would be for me to do that
kind of work, and | can understand how
hard it must be for YOU"
"That's the first bit of sympathy I've
got since began this work. Would you
mind letting me come in and rest few
minutes? ? I've not made sale for so
long that Pm a bit discouraged"
Certainly. Come in"
She took Johnny into living room and,
disappearing, returned with some bread
and butter and cold meat on a plate.
"You look hungry" she said. "Pm
afraid you've not had good meal to-
day."
John offered to sell the girl typewriter
on easy terms, telling her al the same
time that his employer paid him his COM
mission down. II was this desire to help
him that decided her. She could get
work if she had the typewriter to do it
with. and the terms offered were all notes,
no cash. She was sure she could meet
the notes and make something besides.
John collected the money on the notes
himself, and they were all paid at matur-
ity. He fingered frequently when max
ing his collections, and in this way an
intimacy grew up between the two. A