Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-01-16
ROCKVILLE. MARYLAN
Managers Of
Matrimony
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 ce-
ment mixers.
But Mrs. Chesterton's 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 Chesterton 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; Lucia's 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, Luz
cia's slim like bird.
But Lucia was recalcitrant. A num-
Der Of husbands had been selected for
her-and willing ones, too-but she
spurned them all.
Don't want to get married." she
affirmed. wont get married, that's
ALL"
Mrs. Chesterton was ingenious, but
all her ingenuity was wasted on Lucia.
The latter saw through her tricks.
When a prospective husband called
and Mamma Chesterton graciously
retired from the library, leaving the
young couple alone, Lucia would pro-
pose stroll or ride. When a horse
back party contrlved by Mrs. Chester
toms suggestion to leave Lucia and a
young man by themselves, the girl
would whip up her steed and appre-
bend the rest of the riders. She would
never sit out 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
than ever.
mo use," she would say. II 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 a son-in-law. She
had a conference with Mrs. Forthglver,
and the latter acquiesced. 1t was to
their mutual social advantage.
But it's no use," said Mrs, Forth
giver. II preached the subject of mar
rlage to Adam. In fact, 1 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. Forthglver,
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 Forthgiver was a party
to twas really its author-al-
though he was unaware Of 1t. Adam
had decided to go hunting In the
north woods. i've always
wanted to tramp through those for.
ests in the winter" he had said. TITS
ideal In the summer and know I'd
like 1t when there's snow"
Mrs. Forthgiver's plan was for Mrs.
Chesterton to send Lucia to the same
territory, without, Of course, appris-
ing her Of the fact that Adam would
be there. The suggestion was re-
ceived with enthusiasm.
"JuGt the thing!" she exclaimed,
as she drained her second cup. "Lu-
cha has often expressed a desire for
some such winter frolic in the woods.
I'll get Mrs. Alberts to go with her."
Adam had selected Brutus, town
south of Mackinaw City, for his
headquarters. There's a hotel there
called the Purple house which serves
the best dinners In the world" he
had explained, "and when get tired
of camp cooking I can hike to town
and get a real feed"
adams real purpose is to get the
outdoor life" his mother asserted.
ever since he's been West he says
he can't stand having anything but
the sky for roof SO there won't
be much hunting. He'll take his
gun along just as bird. What he
really wants Is to eat and sleep In