The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-03-06
An Americans
Proposition For a French.
=: Girl
By RYLAND BELL

Jimmie Martindale's father went out
to the wild west ia become q ranch.
man when Jimmie was six years old.
The consequence was that Jimmie
grew up with all the freedom Of q COW
puncher. That doesn't e that he
was coarse, but that he was uncon-
ing refined he was himself refined, but
he naturally partook Of the spirit Of
the people among whom he lived.
When Jimmie was twenty-five he
had lost father and mother and was
In possession of n of the most ex-
tensive and best stocked ranches In
New Mexico. Having never seen any.
thing of the world. he concluded to
make a trip to Europe. He liked Paris
pretty well and. having a mind to 30
journ there awhile. Joined q club and
got himself introduced into society.
At a function given at the American
embassy Jimmie met Clochette Desaix
and fell desperately in love with her.
The young lady seemed well pleased
with him. and Jimmie al ready for
a proposal. But he had by this time
learned that marriages in Europe are
not made as they are in America and
certainly not as they were made
among ranch people. Mile. Desaix be-
longed to a very old family. and her
father was a stickler for etiquette.
Jimmie knew this and. feeling his
want Of ability to tackle the problem
Of a proposal without being coached.
impaired his desires to NJ. Coushoix.
a member of his club who was con-
sidered well up in such matters. and
asked for advice.
He was told that on no account must
he speak tn the object Of his desires
until the matter had been settled with
her father. NJ. Desaix should be ap-
preached with great ceremony. and
Jimmie must give him to understand
that he would consider it a great honor
to be permitted to ally himself with
SO ancient and honorable a family.
There was no necessity for him to
dwell on his love for the young lady.
for love would. according to French
customs. have nothing to do with the
matter. II he received encouragement
from NJ. Desaix it would then be in
order for him to enter upon al expo
sition of his affairs. mentioning the
amount he proposed to. settle on his
wife just previous to the marriage.
He would have a right to know. what
dowry the bride would receive, from
her father. but delicacy would suggest
that he wait for NJ. Desaix to speak
of that.
Jimmie thought he understood low
the racket was worked" as he ex-
pressed 1t, and started OF to find M.
Desaix. The latter had just finished
dinner. and a man after dinner Is
usually a%pproachable. Jimmie was in
vited into Il smoking room. and his
host. who had noticed his attentions
at functions to his daughter and sus-
pected. or. rather. felt sure Of the OBJ
iect of his coming. skirmlshed by ref
to tue weather. But Jimmie
was not much Of n hand ut prelfmina-
ries and entered upon his subject. IN
accordance with the coaching he had
received.
"Monsieur." he Snid. II have since
my sojonrp TN Paris heard much OF the
long and honorable record Of your fam
ily, ana It has fired me with an ambi-
ton to enroll my name on Its escutch'
con-"
Jimmie paused for breath. He ap-
pearcd to NJ. Desaix very like a school
boy making his first speech and suf-
fering from stage fright. A decanter
stood on a side table. and the host. ex-
tending q hand TO It. said:
monsieur. you do me great honor.
Let us drink to the shades Of my an
restors."
Jimmie jumped at the proposition
snd when fortified proceeded.
Monsieur. I have met on several o.
casions your estimable daughter. Mile.
Clochette. am aware that In France
Cupid has no more place In matrimo-
nial affairs than q grizzly has In q
gopher hole. but l cannot refrain from
saying that ! consider Mile. Clochette
II deuced fine girl"
Jimmie paused. and NJ. Desaix saw
by his expression that he was trying
to decide between the encomimms upon
Mile. Clochette that were crOwding
upon him and skilifuliy led him back
to the business in hand.
DO 1 understand. monsieur. that you
propose for the hand OF my daugh-
ter?'
"You bet,
Then perhaps you will begin by CIV