Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1915-10-29
MyAgent
By F. A. Mitchell
took my vacation in October in my

Vunabout.
One evening | was keeping an eye
out for a place to stay over when ]
came to neat looking hOuse-nOt \
farmhouse-that looked as if it was or
had been inhabited by refined people
But what attracted my attention was
sign fastened to the gate bearing the
words Matrimonial Agency" 1t seem
ed rather to me that they should be
"Courting Quarters. The place was
certainly very coy.
1t is nee4.ess 10 adj that | put vi
at the house | was received by al
elderly lady whose manner seemed
quite too refined and courtly for an
occupant of such Il modest establish
ment ! asked her if she were the
matrimonial agent and she said she
was not Her daughter was trying to
make something in that way. She new
err appeared TO strangers unless they
called professionally. Being curious,
told the mother that | was ready for
Il wife whenever fate should throw one
d
in advance asked to see her daughter.
| expected to meet an angular old
maid or widow. What was my surprise
when the pumpeSt, rOSieSt little crea
ture came into the room, smiling from
her eyebrows to the tip of her dim
pied chin. She appeared to be about
seventeen years old. though she was
twenty Coming at once to business,
she asked:
do you prefer a blond or bru.
nette?"
Looking into her blue eyes, | told her
that l preferred blends. But" l add
ed, before coming to particulars
should like TO talk with YOU about mat
rimony Do you recommend it,"
1T would be absurd for me to rec
ommend what is 50 important a part,
if not the most important part. of ma.
ture."
1t struck me that this was evading
responsibility. | wondered at one so
young being so diplomatic.
DO you vcuch for I've persons you
Introduce" asked
only for their responsibility"
Then you do not guarantee happi-
neSs?"
81 do not. The happiness Of morried
persons depends only ON themselves
"Hayn You made. many matches?"
"A number OF persons have brought
together have married"
Have the unions usually turned out
happily?
Il have not been in the business long
enough to find out"
you surely don't sail under false
pretenses."
| described the appearance of the
girl | should like to marry, and she
might have been the twin sister of the
matrimonial agent. She declined to
notice the fact that had given her as
a model, and nothing | could do to
persuade her to drop her professional
attitude had any effect upon her. Her
method was to give her business card
TO the man of the couple she proposed
to bring together, with the name and
address of the lady on it. But she
never introduced a couple unless she
had thoroughly investigated both par
ties and was satisfied that each was
ia earnest in seeking a matrimonial
mate.
Before leaving | gave her my name
and address, with references to GER
iain cronies of mine whom | could
rust had no idea of having her in
troduce me TO Il possible wife. My OBJ
icCt was to visit her again, and |
,,lpw she would not receive me Unless
/ satisfied her that my application was
Ona fde. Indeed, in one respect it
vas bona fdc. | was willing to con
idcr the agent herself as possible
.vife-nOt that had made up my mind
20 any such result. but it was pleasant
10 contemplate.
The matrimonial agency was not far
liStant from my home and fortnight
after my return ran out in my car to
ee the agent again. She informed me
which | already kneW-that the re-
ports of me were satisfactory and she
VAS ready to give me card to a
Young lady who was looking for hus-
Dand. took the card but informed
he agent that. being very busy,
might not soon deliver it. Not wish
ing that she should be delayed in re-
i'eiving her fee, | handed her another
retainer she took it in business
ike manner and told me | was wei
come to take my own time in the
matter.
When called again told the agent
lhat should like several introductions.
stating ut the same time that would
moose Il wife from among those in
whom she was interested. She con
Sented to this. and | left her During
the winter went to see her number
hf in rS, alW& > HpolD%iZ,n" for NOT
mviu" cai'cl Oh any Of the young la.
lies WhoSe addresses she hnl gwen NC.
Toward yn:iH". Afto" having called
81 ihr ".c&t nany times and upon
non" Cr thee she he'd recommended. |
went to 500 ,cr for the hast time ms
client. told her that | had decided
IN a wife and it only remained for the
lady to decide on me She herself was
the Girl | wanted
Without any expression of surprise
She took out her portemOnnaie anc
handed me the fees had given her.
You are offended" said You
consider that have deceived YOU"
No" she said. with smile. 81
knew your intentions before you knew
them yourself | have accepted and
saved these fees that you should have
the wherewithal for an engagement
i.