The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-07-21
A Practical
Wife Hunter
BY ESTHER VANDEVEER

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 OF
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 a million of dollars. From hav
ing nothing to spend except what he
needed for necessities out of $1,000
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 gen.
tleman, he had good common sense.
He realized early that no matter how
rich man is he can spend but mod
crate 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" Act
ing on these principles, he set him
self to the task of getting a wife who
had the same quality of sense as him
self. One who had been brought up in
affiuence would be ashamed of him;
one who had been brought up in pow
erty would not likely find herself mar
ried to a man with large income
without losing her head.
How was he to proceed? He had
few. IL any, acquaintances with young
women. BY setting up an establish
ment he could easily make acquaint-
ances. 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-aI- Raschid. who went
about disguised looking into the af-
fairs of his subjects, in order to right
wrongs. but he adopted similar means.
He applied to typewriter manufac-
turing company for position as sales
man. Purchasing a horse and wagon
suitable to his purpose, he went about
from house to house. supposedly look
ing for customers, but really looking
for wife.
His cIieptele were largely women, and !
most of these were young His meth |
cd of making acquaintance proved
available. True, out of the many he
visited he made the acquaintance Of
but few One great advantage he had |
none of the girls he visited was on
her guard. and he was surprised 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 a harsh
Don't want any typewriters." John
could not help thinking how different
would be his reception IL she knew that
be was looking for wife to help him
spend $4,000 year.
One morning he called at house
where he was received at the door by
a nice looking young woman, who said
to him kindly:
II would be glad to buy typewriter
IF you for two reasons In the first
place, l could make money IL owned
,ne, and, in the second, always SYM
oathize with those who are compelled
% make their living by canvassing.
know how hard 1t would be for me to
ho i'd 1f nd II n
stand how hard it must be for you"
That's the first bit of sympathy I've
got since began this work. Would
vou mind letting me come in and rest
/ few minutes? I've not made sale
or so long that I'm a bit discouraged"
Certainly. Come in"
She took Johnny into living room
ind, disappearing, returned with some
bread and butter and cold meat on
,late. "You look hungry" she said.
I'm afraid you've not had good
neal today"
John offered to sell the girl type
writer on easy terms, telling her at
he same time that his employer paid !
i'm his commission down 1t was this
esire to help him that decided her.
The could get work IL she had the .
typewriter to do 1t with, and the terms /
ffered were all notes. no cash. She c
vas sure she could meet the notes and
make something besides.
John collected the money on the
otes himself, and they were all paid
t maturity. He fingered frequently
vhen making his collections. and in
his way an intimacy grew up between !;
be two. A time came when John told !
Ter that he was doing much better a
han ut his first visit to her and b
bought that he would like a home IL Z
he would help him build it up. The
Dung lady put him off till she could t
nd out something about him. He was a
cry methodical in the matter OF Civ
lg her references. taking care to in y,
.ruct those be referred to to say moth !.
lg about his means. 4
The young woman on receipt of the
that John Burton bore e.
q excellent character consented to a
clip him build home continuing her a
A month before their
Iarriage John confessed TO her how q
e had looked for a wife on his own
Ian and told her to order what she
eeded for the bridal and have the
Ms sent to him.
Mr.. and Mrs. Burton spend about N
1e-tenth of their income and give