The Springdale news., 1916-01-07
My Agent
-
By f. A. MICHEL

one evening N"S htffihe y
5at for place 10 stay over when l
came to a neat looking house not
farmhouse that looked ~ If Il was or
had been inhabited by refined people.
But what attracted my attention was
sign fastened 10 the gate bearing the
words Matrimonial Agency, II seem
ed rather to me that they should be
Counting Quarters The place was
certainly very coy.
Ii is needless to add that put mp
1T the house was received by all
elderly lady whose manner seemed
quite too refined and courtly for az
occupant Of such modest establish
ment | asked her if she We're the
matrimonial agent, and she said she
was not. Her daughter WAS trying 10
make something in that way. She nev-
er appeared to strangers unless they
called professionally. Being curious. |
told the mother that | was ready for
wife whenever fate should throw one
into my hands and, handing her fee
in advance, asked TO see her daughter.
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 blond or brn-
nettef''
Looking into her blue eyes. | told her
that | preferred blends. But | add
ed before coming TO particulars |
should like to talk with you about mat
rimony. DO YOU recommend it,
1T would be absurd fer me to rec
ommend what is SO important a part,
if not the most important part. of ma
ture"
1t struck me that this MAS eyadnz.
responsibility. wondered It ole &
young being SO diplomatic.
"po YOU youch for the persons you
introducef' | asked
only for their respeeta bility.'
Then you do not guarantee happI=
ness"
Il do not The happiness of married
persons depends only on themselves.
Have YOU made many matches!
"A number of persons have brought
together have married"
Have the unions usually turned on
happilyY'
II have not been in the business long
enough to find out
You surely don't sail under falst
pretenses.
| described the appearance of the
girl l should like to marry, and she
might have been the twin sister Of thu
matrimonial agent. She declined to
notice the fact that had given her "a
a model. and nothing | could do to
persuade her to drop her professional
attitude had any effect upon her. Her
method was 10 give her business card
to the man of the couple she proposed
to bring together, With the name anG
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
tain cronies of mine whom | could
trust | had no idea Of having her in
troduce me to possible wife. Ny OBJ
iect was to visit her again. and |
knew she would not receive me unless
| satisfied her that my application was
bona fde. Indeed. in one respect II
was bona fde was willing to con
slider the agent herself as possible
wife-not that had made up my mind
to any such result, but it was pleasant
TO contemplate
The matrimonial agency was not far
distant from my home, and a fortnight
after my return | ran out i'll my car to
see the agent again She informed me
which already knew-that the re
ports of me We're satisfactory and she
was ready TO give me a card to "a
young lady who was looking for Il hus
band | took the card, but Informed
the agent that, being very busy, /
might not soon deliver it. Not wish
ing that she should be delayed in re
ceiving her fee, | handed her another
retainer She took it IN a business
like manner and told me | was vel
come To take my own time in the
matter.
When | called again | told the agent
that | should like several introductions,
stating at the same time that would
choose a wife from among those in
whom she was interested She con-
scented to this, and | left her. During
the winter | went to see her a number
Of times. always apologizing for not
having called on any of the young Ia
dies whose addresses she had given me.
Toward spring. after having called
on the agent many times and upon
none of those she had recommended.
went To see her for the last time as a
client. told her that | had decided
on a wife and 1t only remained for the
lady TO decide on me. She herself was