The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-05-12
HOW SHOULD A MAN
 PROPOSE MARRIAGE?

If, after all, you still will doubt and fear me,
 And think this heart to other loves
 loves will stray.
 If must swear, then, lovely doubter,
 hear me,
 By every. dream have when thou'rt
 away,
 By every throb I feel when thou art
 near me,
 I love but thee-I love but thee.''
 A man wants to know and in all ear nestness if there is a knack in propos- ing marriage to a woman.
 t'It looks to me like a scientific game where the knave comes out with fly ing co1ors and the bashfu1 honest young man gets turned down ignomf- nousIy by the average girl, he ayers He admits that he has asked four diff ferent women to become his wife and in each instance was unhesitatingly declined and without thanks. He fur thermore states that as far as he can judge he is not better looking nor is hes homelier than the general run of men, is comfortably situated and be- lieves as 8 good. true, loyal husband he would be a success. Ills asks me to solve the problem as to why he has been nonsuited thus far. There is no problem about it. This man has proposed to the wrong wo-
 
 four; few hearts are so elastic. At all events, he struck a discordant key in each instance in offering his heart and hand. It is not so much what man says as the way he says it that appeals to the feminine heart. Carpet knights, singing on pended knee to pour forth their love story, might do very we'll in an ancient novel, but the twentieth century maiden would not listen minute to the protestations of such a swain. The spectacle would be too mirth-provoking and rout any ten der sentiment that might be creeping into her breast.
 Nor does a woman relish the man ner in which a too businesslike wooer asks for her heart and hand in much the same way as a lawyer makes his plea before the court of appeals or a merchant mechanically speaks of the merits of his merchandise. It takes earnestness and a. straight forward appeal to carry conviction to a womanis heart that man means all he is saying.
 The choics of language has much to do. with making a favorable impres- .sion- The wooer of good sense will not beat about the bush unnecessarily. Good common sense always prevails. He who is a novice and in doubt | should choose moment when he and the young woman of his choice sare
 
 pleasant mood, 1t would not be amiss | to take her hand as a first infimation | of the bent of his thoughts. If per 1 mitted to retain it what would be more natural than for g. man who had made | up his mind that the moment had ar rived to know his fate to say earnest l ly: Mary, you must have noticed how often have been coming to see you of late. Each visit has endeared you to me. At last the truth occurred to meImy heart had gone out to you I love you and when a man loves a woman with all the ardor his nature lis capable of he craves her love in re- turn. He wants her for his wife. have been bold enough to believe yoU are not. indifferent to me-indeed thaf you return my affections. If this bs the case I offer you. my heart ant J hand; is your answer yes or no, dear?' Indeed there are just as many way! of looping the question as there ar, men in the world, but the averag, bashful masculine reader of the abov' has learned quite enough to put hin through the ordeal