The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-19
MyAgent
BY F. A. Mitchell

out for place to stay over when ]
came to neat looking house-not a
farmhouse-that looked as If it was OF
had been inhabited by refinsl people
But what attracted my attention was
| a sign fastened TO the gate bearing the
words Matrimonial Agency" 1t seem
ed rather to me that they should be
| Counting Quarters" The place was
certainly very coy.
| 1t Is needless to add that / put M
at the house. l was received by an
elderly lady whose manner seemed
quite too refined and courtly for an
occupant of such 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
er appeared to strangers unless they
called professionally. Being curious. |
told the mother that | was ready for
a wife whenever fate should throw one
into my hands and, handing her fee
In advance, asked TO see her daughter.
| expected to meet an angular old
maid or widow. What was my surprise
when the plumpest, 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 a bru-
nette?"
Looking into her blue eyes, | told her
that l preferred blends. But" add
cd, before coming to particulars
should Hike to talk with you about mat
rimony, Do you recommend it,"
1t would be absurd for me to rec
ommend what Is so important part,
If not the most important part, of Aa-
ture."
1t struck me that this was evading
responsibility. | wondered ut one SO
young being so diplomatic.
DO you vouch for the persons you
introduced" | asked
Only for their responsibility"
Then you do not guarantee happi-
neSS?"
Il do not. The happiness of married
persons depends only on themselves"
Have YOU made many matchesS'
A number of persons | have brought
together have married"
Have the unions usually turned out
happilyY"
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 l 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
model, and nothing l 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 1t. But she
never introduced a couple unless she
had thoroughly investigated both par
Ia earnest in seeking matrimonial
mate
Before leaving gave her my name
and address, with references to GER
tain cronieS of mine whom | could |
trust. | had no idea Of having her In
troduce me to possible wife. My OBJ
1ect was to visit her again, and | |
knew she would not receive me unless |
satisfied her that my application was |
bona tide. Indeed, in one respect 1t |
was bona fide. | was willing to con-
slider the agent herself as a possible |
wife-not that had made up my mind |
to any such result. but 1t was pleasant |
to contemplate.
The matrimonial agency was not far
Instant from my home, and fortnight
after my return | ran out in my car to
zee the agent again. She informed me
which | already knew-that the re- /
ports of me were satisfactory and she
was ready to give me card to a
young lady who was looking for hus-
)and. | took the card, but informed
he agent that, being very busy, /
night not soon deliver it. Not wish
ng that she should be delayed In re-
'eiving her fee, ! handed her another
etainer. She took 1t In a business
Ike manner and told me | was wei
ONE to take my own time in the
natter.
When ! called again told the agent
hat / should like several introductions,
tating at the same time that | would
hoose wife from among those in
whom she was interested. She CON
ented to this, and l left her During
he winter l went to see her a number
f times, always apologiZing for not
aving called on any of the young Ia
les whose addresses she had given me.
Toward spring, after having called
n the agent many times and upon
one of those she had recommended, |
vent to see her for the last time as a
lient. | told her that ! had decided
n wife and 1t only remained for the
ldy to decide on me. She herself was
he girl wanted.
Without any expression OF surprise
he took out her portemonnaie and
anded me the fees had given her.
you are offended" l said "You
onsider that / have deceived you"
NO" she said, with a smile. 81
new your intentions before you knew ,
hem yourself. l have accepted and
aved these fees that you should have ,
ne wherewithal for an engagement
ing"