The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-12-28
Bidding For
a Wife
Two SuitOrs Make 1t a
Jack Pot
By F. A. mitchell

! + +
I In America marriage brokerage is
practically unknown; in Europe there
are places where it is used not only
by persons Of lower or middle grade.
but by those of rank. One day a
young man entered the office Of a
marriage broker in an Italian city and
asked the proprietor to get him wife.
The broker sat down at table. opened
q blank book. took up pen and be-
gan to ask the man questions.
"Name?"
Richard ThurstOn wilkins"
"Age?"
Twenty eight"
Occupation
'No occupation"
"IncOme?
give thousand francs"
Nationality"
American"
"Residence?"
1.-The state of California"
II fear, Mr.. wilkins, that your in
come is insufficient to secure you a
wife from among the better clasres,
but l will see what can do for you.
Il know Of young lady who is refined
and educated, but her parents are very
POOR and anxious to shift the expense
ct her keeping on to other shoulders
3than their own. 1t may be that they
would accept a sutton for her with
no better income than yours. At any
nate, ! will see il an introduction
would be worth while. Call again to-
morrow"
Mr.. Wilkins was the next day in
formed that the broker had persuaded
SignOr Amodeo to consent to an intro
auctiOn. There was nothing binding
In this. 1t was simply that the parties
TO the contract might see and talk with
each other. In short it was the first
preliminary step.
Surprising don't fancy the lady?'
asked Mr.. Wilkins.
I'm that case the custom is that you
pay my brokerage That is ALL
Mr.. Wilkins assented without asking
what the amount would be. thereby in
curing the distrust of the broker who
insisted on prepayment of his commits
sion. Wilkins assented to this. paying
the modest sum of 30 francs $50. The
i broker explained that his charges were
sometimes as high as thousand
francs. but in the case of one with so
small an income he had made the
charge a minimum.
Wilkins was introduced to Blanca
-AmOdeO. She was dark eyed signo-
nina seventeen years of age, modest
looking and with very soft voice.
During the first part of the Americana
visit SignOr AmOdeO remained in the
room. but later left the two alone
This loosened Wilkins tongue. and he
strOve to draw out the young lady. He
Sound her quite willing to be drawn
cut. and it was not long before the
two were chatting pleasantly. VIII.
kins was an entirely different man
lacked the amenities of an Italian-in.
deed, seemed to her trife brusque-
but this was more than atoned for by
a certain frankness and honesty that
charmed her. He was not backward
IN giving his estimate of European
customs and the superiority Of Ameri
can methods. Signorina Blanca did not
take Offense at this, but it was evident
from the snap in her bright eyes &C.
0ompanying what she said that she
was chatting him.
Nothing was said during the call
about its object. wilkins took his
leave as ignorant of what the young
lady thought OF him as when he had
entered. Nevertheless he surmised
that he had not made a disagreeable
impression. Before leaving he asked
permission to call again, and his re.
quest was cheerfully granted. This
looked favorable for what the girl
might do in the premises.
Wilkins instructed the broker to ex.
plain that in America couples were per
mitted to get acquainted before be.
coming engaged. He was also told to
soy lhdl Ho AiHIlculite ueclSlOn was oX-
Pected from the young lady.
SignOr Amodeo consented to the de-
lay. but not to the privileges common
In America during an engagement.
Since there was to be nothing similar
to an American engagement, this did
not matter. The father had the whole
affair in charge. and no word came ex-
cept from him. Wilkins called at the
AmodeO dOmicile several times. He
was permitted to see Signorina Amo-
dec alone-that is. no one was in the
room with them-but the door was
left open. and there were ears i'm the
adjoining apartment. After the third
call. before departing Wilkins said to
her:
"Signorina, l owe you an explanation
as to why I came away from my ma
tive land for a wife. but l must ask
your indulgence in the matter l win
only say at present that l have my
reasons. l have seen enough of you
to feel assured that you are a lovely
little girl. love you. and it is for you
to decide whether or no Won win no