Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1915-02-11
ev DON La GRANGE

dignation. Six young men announced
that they didn't even care for an in
PRODUCTION to Miss Carter, and then
took advantage of the earliest oppor-
tunity to secure one. 1t was the mar
ried women of the town who let the
old maid understand what thin ice
she was sliding on, and the reply was:
Tell your daughters to wait before
criticizing me. may think best to
get married some day, but I'll give
every girl in town a chance first"
1t was query with them whether
the old maid was in earnest, but she
soon gave proof that she was.
Number One man, who was en-
gagged to Number One girl, had vowed
a dozen times over that nothing but
death could separate them, was in
troduced to Miss Carter in store and
called at her home.~ On the fourth
call he informed the old maid that II
he was held to his engagement he
should certainly commit suicide, as he
had discovered that he and his fiancee
were not congenial as to poetry. 4
On his next call he boldly proposed
marriage, and was surprised and be-
wildered when Miss Carter, replied:
"As you were born that way / sup
pose shall have to overlook it"
Miss Carter got word to girl Num-
Der One that she had refused an offer
Of marriage from the young man
Number One, and after he was given
+, bad evening he returned to his 10y
atty. Then came the query from a
dozen people: n
What do you suppose is the rea-
son she didn't accept him."
Number Two young man was ready
to step in as Number One stepped out.
He admitted his engagement to Num-
Der Two girl, but doubted If there
would be marriage. His fiancee had
come out fiat-footed and said she'd be
hanged if she'd have cat around the
house after marriage. He being warm
hearted toward cats, felt that 1t would
be an unwise thing to be Joined in
the bonds Of wedlock with such girl
as that.
And then came a proposal. He
loved. He loved as he had never
loved before. Should it turn out that
he had loved In vain the dark waters
Of Lake Erie should close over him.
did you want me for wife, sis
ter, aunt or mother?"
"Heartless woman!"
Run along, sonny, and grow some
more and get older!
And he returned to the girl who
didn't dove cats, instead Of plunging
beneath the choppy waters of Lake
Erie. And the cat girl was actually
mad about it-mad at the old maid
for refusing him, and there was con-
tempt in her tones as she inquired:
who does Miss Sarah Carter think
she is, anyhow"
A sewing machine man heard of
Miss Carter and her money, and said
to himself: ''Now here's where I.show
the world that sewing machine man
has heart. This old maid has been
waiting for years and years for an
offer, but none has come. / will sacri-
fee myself
And at his second call to see if she
didn't want to invest $50 in machine
that sewed and tucked and rufied and
hemmed and gathered, and did al.
most everything except the family
washing, he drew long breath and
said: Il have thought should never
marry, but"
but now you think you will, re
piled the maiden, to help him out.
IL do"
Then move right along to the
widow Green's. believe she wants
to get married, while l am sure
DOM"
And when it became known that
the old maid had given the unmarried
females of Bloomfield still another
chance. instead of gobbling the man
up for herself, there wasn't a word
of praise for her.
She thinks nobody good enough
for her." people said. Think Of the
impudence of her picking out hus.
bands for us!"
: And just before the opening OF
prayer meeting at the Methodist
church one evening, az eight or ten
people were gossiping about the old
maid, Deacon Pardon became SO az
cited that he exclaimed: by thun-
der. but she orter be arrested and
made to give an account Of herself
I'm telling you that it amt natural
no, it amt natural"
A young druggist who had just
started In business In Bloomfield had
won favor in the eyes Of at least three
maidens. though he had as yet pledged
himself to none. His trio Of girls had
been very bitter toward the old maid,
believing that she would try to catch
the druggist. Miss Carter had been In
the store half q dozen times to make
small purchases, ana. OF course. had
been treated politely when one day
the druggist found time to muse:
She's an old maid. but / don't be-
heve she's set IN her ways = 3