The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-05-17
MyAgent
By F. A. Mitchell

out for a place to stay over when
came to a neat looking house-not a
farmhouse-that looked as If it was or
had been inhabited by refnsl 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 cozy.
1t is needless to add that l put up
at the house. was received by an
elderly lady whose manner seemed
quite too refined and courtly for an
occupant of such modest establish.
ment l asked her IL 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
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 preferred blends. But" add
Cd, 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 IA.
ture."
1t struck me that this was eyading
responsibility. l wondered at one SC
young being so diplomatic.
do you vouch for the persons you
introduced" l asked.
"Only for their responsibility"
4Heu you w hol budiuh'So hoppi
ness?"
81 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
happilyr
II have not been in the business long
enough to find out"
"You surely don't sail under false
pretenses."
l 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 t
notice the fact that | had given her al
model, and nothing could do t.
persuade her to drop her professiona
attitude had any effect upon her. He
method was to give her business care
to the man of the couple she proposed
to bring together, with the name anC
address Of the lady on 1t. But sh,
never introduced a couple unless sh,
had thoroughly Investigated both par
ties and was satisfied that each wal
ia earnest In seeking matrimonial
mate.
Before leaving l gave her my nam'
and address, with references to Ger
tain cronies of mine whom | coult
trust. had no idea of having her In
troduce me to possible wife. My oh
| ject was to visit her again, and
knew she would not receive me unles
| satisfied her that my application wa
bona fide. Indeed, in one respect
was bona fide. was willing to con
slider the agent herself as possible
wife-not that had made up my min
to any such result, but it was pleasan
to contemplate.
The matrimonial agency was not ia
distant from my home, and a fortnigh
after my return l ran out In my car t
see the agent again. She informed mi
which | already knew-that the re
ports of me were satisfactory and sh
was ready to give me card to |
young lady who was looking for hus
band. l took the card, but INFORMED
the agent that, being very busy,
might not soon deliver 1t. Not wish
ing that she should be delayed In re
ceiving her fee, handed her anothe
retainer. She took 1t In a business
like manner and told me l was wei
come to take my own time In tn
matter.
When called again l told the agen
that should like several introductions
stating at the same time that | woul'
choose a wife from among those II
whom she was interested. She con
scented to this, and l left her. DurinI
the winter went to see her numbe
Of times, always apologizing for no
having called on any Of the young la
dies whose addresses she had given me
Toward spring, after having calle'
on the agent many times and upo
none of those she had recommended,
went to see her for the last time as
client. / told her that l had decide
on a wife and 1t only remained for tn
lady to decide on me. She herself wa
the girl | wanted.
Without any expression of surpris
she took out her portemonnaie an
handed me the fees had given her.
"You are offended" l said. "Yo
consider that / have deceived you"
NO" she said, with a smile. a
knew your intentions before you kne7
them yourself. l have accepted an
saved these fees that you should hav
the wherewithal for an engagemer
ring"