The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1913-07-31
A Practical
Wife Hunter
By ESTHER VANDEVEER

n miser. He was n widower with one
son, Johnny, who was kept so close
no far as spending money was con-
cerned 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 box In the vaults or
n savings and investment company
The boy was sent TO school till he was
sixteen years old, then put TO work.
One day when Johnny was twenty
two years old his father died and the
young man was astounded to find him
self In possession Of securities worth
half million of dollars. From hav-
ing nothing to spend except what he
needed for necessities out OF $1,000 a
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 gem
tleman. he had good common sense.
lie realized early that no matter how
rich n man is he can spend but a mod
crate sum without injury to himself;
that TO enjoy recreation one must first
work. and that ms the old song says.
"tbere's no place like home" Act
ing on these principles, he set him
self 20 the task Of getting wife who
had the same quality OF sense rs him.
self. One who had been brought up In
anluence would be ashamed of him;
one who had been brought up In pow
erty would not likely find herself mar
ried TO man with "A large income
without losing her head.
How was he Ia procecd2 He had
few. II any. acqualntnnces with young
women. by setting up nm establish
ment he could easily make ncquaint-
ances. but he was modest enough to
think they would only care for what
they could got 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 10 spend II.
John had never heard of the great
caliph. IIaroun-nl.liuschId, who went
about disguised. looking into the nf-
fairs Of his subjects. In order to right
wrongs. but he adopted similar means.
lie applied to n typewriter mnnufnc.
turing company for n position as sales
man. Purchasing u horse ANA wagon
suitable O. his purpose. he went about
from house Ia house. supposedly look
Ing for customers. but really looking
for u wife.
His clientele were largely women, and
most Of these were young. His meth
oil of making acqunininnces proved
available. True. out of the many he
visited he made the acquaintance of
but few. ouc great advantage he hnd
none of the girls he visited was on
her guard. aud he wns surprised 10 see
how many were selfish. hcartless aud
unnmlablc. Many were the snubs he
received. now and ngain n girl got
up for fascinating purposes slnmning
the door In his face with u harsh
Don't want any typcwritcrs." John
could not help thinking how different
would he his reception II she knew that
he was looking for II wife 10 help him
spend $4,000 n year,
one morning ha called at house
where he WIS received nt the door by
nice looking young woman, who said
Ia him kindly;
II would he glad Ia buy n typewriter
of you for two reasons. In the first
place. could make money II ! owned
one, and. la the second, always sym
pathlze with those who are compelled
10 make their living 10y canvassing.
know how hard II would he for me tn
do that kind of work. and | can under
stand how hard II 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
a few mlnutesy I've not made n sale
for 81 long that I'm n bit discouraged
Certainly. Come In"
She took Johnny into n living room
and disappearing. returned with some
bread and butter ana cold meat on n
plate. "Nou look hungry" she said
I'm afraid you've not had good
meal today"
John offered 10 sell the girl type
writer on easy terms. telling her at
the same time that his employer paid
him his commission down, II was this
desire 10 help him that decided her.
she could get work II she had the
typewriter 10 do II with, ana 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 We're all paid
nj maturity. lie fingered frequently
when making his collections, ana In
This way an intimacy grew up between
the two. \ time came when John told
her that he was doing much better
than at his first visit 90 her and
thought that he would like n home IL
she would help him build il M. The
young lady put him on tin she could
lind out something about him. lie was
very methodical in the matter of Civ
ing her references, taking care Ia in
struct those ne referred Ia to say moth
ing about his means,
The young woman ON receipt of the
testimonials that John Burton boIe