Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-09-18
A Practical
Wife Hunter
BY ESTHER VANDEVEER

so 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 a box in the vaults of
a 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 a 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 a very plain young
man, with not much education, and ut
terly unreared to the ways Of a gen.
tleman, he had good common sense.
He realized early that no matter how
rich a nan is he can spend but a 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
%af1uence 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 a large income
without losing her head.
How was he to proceed? He had
women. By setting up IN 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-al-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 a typewriter manufac-
turing company for a 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 a wife.
His clientele 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
nom 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 a 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 if she knew that
he was looking for a wife to help him
spend $4,000 a year.
One morning he called at a house
where he was received at the door by
a nice looking young woman. who said
to him kindly:
Il would be glad to buy a typewriter
of you for two reasons. In the first
place. l could make money if l owned
one and. in the second. I always SYM
pathize with those who are compelled
to make their living by canvassing. I
know how hard it would be for me to
do that kind of work. and l can under
stand 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
a few minutes? I've not made a sale
for so long hat I'm a bit discouraged"
Certainly. Come in"
She took Johnny into Il living room
and, disappearing. returned with some
bread and butter and cold meat on a
plate. You look hungry" she said.
'T'm afraid you've not had a good
meal today"
John offered to sell the girl a type
writer on easy terms. telling her at
the same time that his employer paid
him his commission down. 1t 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 maturity. He fingered frequently
when making his collections, and in
this way an intimacy grew up between
the two. A time came when John told
her that he was doing much better
than at his first visit to her and
thought that he would like a home if
she would help him build it up. The
young lady put him off till she could
find out something about him. He was
very methodical in the matter Of CIV
ing her references. taking care to in
struct those he referred to to say moth
ing about his means
The young woman on receipt Of the
testimonials that John Burton bore
an excellent character consented to
help hin build a home. continuing her