The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1919-11-22
Managers Of
Matrinony
-Tr-~
tss 2
By R. RAY BAKER
Copyright 1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate)

As matrimonial manager for her
family, Mrs. Glendale Chesterton had
every reason to feel proud Of her rec"
ord.
Through their mothers efforts
three of the ChestertOn "hOpefuls"
had their hopes realized. Husbands
with comfortable piles of coin to their
respective credits had been found
lured and trapped. They had to be
lured and trapped because of the
daughters vivid unattractiveness. AS
visions Of beauty, the three Chester
ton girls would have made good &C.
ment mixers.
But Mrs ChestertOns troubles were
not over. There remained one more
daughter, Lucia by name, to be mar
ried off before the mother would be
content. And Lucia was the greatest
problem Of them all.
Not because of her looks. Far from
1t. In some way Lucia had escaped
the blight Of LONELINESS that had smit-
ten the rest Of the family. In fact,
those who knew said she made up for
the rest of them.
According to these authorities, the
other Chestert0n girls had hair that
resembled rope, while Lucia's was
raven black, with tints of unburnished
gold. Her sisters eyes were the col
or of mud puddles. Lucia's were
brown deep, mysterious pools. Their
chins were like hatchets; Lucias was
gracefully rounded; their lips thick
and pink, Lucia's thin and red; their
necks like buffaloes', hers like a
swans; their bodies thin as rails, Lu-
cia's slim like bird.
But Lucia was recalcitrant. A num-
her of husbands had been selected for
her-and willing ones, too-but she
spurned them ALL
"DOn't want to get married" she
affirmed. won't get married, that's
ALL"
Mrs. Chesterton was ingenious, but
all her ingenuity was wasted on Lucia.
The latter saw through her tricks.
When q prospective husband called
and Mamma Chesterton graciously
retired from the library, leaving the
young couple alone, Lucia would pro-
pose a stroll or n ride. When a horse
back party (ontriyed by Mrs. Chester
toms suggestion to leave Lucia and
young man by themselves. the girl
would whip up her steed and appre-
bend the rest of the riders. She would
never sit out a dance or walk in the
woods.
For three years Mrs. ChestertOn had
vertically wooed her own daughter,
thinking the latter finally would capt.
ulate and become the bride of some
nice rich young man. But Lucia was
now twenty-five and more adamant
than ever.
mo use" she would say. 81 just
won't get married No man is going
to boss me around"
About this time young Adam Forth
giVer, who went away in quest of
health, returned from a three.years'
sOujourn in the West, where he became
robust and made money raising cattle.
This change for the better in his
health-and also in the matter of his
wealth-caused Mrs. Chesterton to de-
eide on Adam for sOn-in-law. She
had a conference with Mrs. FOrthgiver,
and the latter aCquiesCed. It was TO
their mutual social advantage.
"But it's no USE" said Mrs. Forth
giver Il preached the subject of mar
riage to Adam. In fact, might say
had your daughter in view; you know
they used to be such good friends. But
he nearly ate me up, and told me he
was not ready, and would not be for
good many years, to take wife, and
when he was ready he'd select one
without any help"
They had frequent confabs on the
subject, and one day Mrs. Forthgiver,
after serving notice by telephone,
hustled into Mrs. Chesterton's home
with the announcement that she had
an idea.
Mrs. ChestertOn, having visited Eng
land, had the afternoon habit, and she
at once ordered tea served.
The plot was simple. In fact.
young Adam Forthglver was a party
to twas really its author-aI-
though he was unaware of II. Adam
had decided to go hunting in the
Michigan north woods. "rve ALWAYS
vented to tramp through those for.
ests in the winter" he had said. cts
ideal In the summer and know ia
like it when there's snow"
Mrs. Foreigners plan was for Mrs
Chesterton to send Lucia to the same
territory, without, of course, apnris.
ing her Of the fact that Adam Womb
be there. The suggestion was 70.
ceived with enthusiasm.
"Just the thingw she exclaimed
as she drained her second cup. Tu.
cia has often expressed a desire for
some such winter frolic in the woods
TIL get Mrs. Alberts to go with her"
Adam had selected Brutus, town