CURIOUS MARRIAGE PROPOSALS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2999, 4 February 1881, Page 4

CURIOUS MARRIAGE PROPOSALS.

Sir Arthur Helps believed that never since the world began did two lovers make love in exactly the same way as any other two lovers. Whether he was right is equally beyond proof or disproof. Certainly, no question has been put in such a variety of ways as the most momentous one a man can ask or a woman answer ; how it is put depending upon time, place, circumstance, and the temperament of the individuals concerned.

A curious marriage proposal was made by a reverend bachelor who entered the matrimonial state on his death-bed. When in his seventy-third year the minister had a severe attack of paralysis, which left him so weak and helpless that, feeling his end was not far distant, he proceeded to set his worldly affairs in order. His parish being an exceedingly' small one, and having been always a most liberal man, he had not much money to leave, which circumstance, had it not been for one reason, he would not have minded. Eor the last twenty years ho had had, as housekeeper, a steady, sensible woman, who had served him honestly, tended, him like a daughter during his illness, and for whom he had quite a fatherly regard. It was on her account he mourned his poverty. It would have been a matter of thankfulness could ho have left her as much as would havo supported her comfortably and respectably in her old age—she was

nowaboutforty-fivo. After weighing and considering the matter for some weeks in every possible light, a way out of the difficulty suddenly flashed upon him : and knowing the precr-rious state of his health, he resolved to execute*his purpose at once. He called his housekeeper, and when she entered the room, he made her sit down, and, after telling her how anxious and sorrowful he had been because he had no money to leave her, ho continued: "Of course you are aware that there is a Ministers' Widows Fund, so that if the husband dies, his wife will have an annuity during her life. Now, supposing you marry mo, although I am almost at death's door, you will be amply provided for in tho future. Will you consent to this ?"

" Master, dear, you must be doting. What would people say ?" " I was never more serious in tnt life, Mary; and lam sure people will say we have" botli acted wisely in this matter. Take till the evening to think it over, and then bring me your answer." In the evening, Mary told him she would take him." So, ten days after they were married, and three days later the good old man died ; but his widow still enjoys her share of the Widows' Fund.

A young officer -was dancing a set of Lancers in a crowded drawing-room with an extremely pretty girl, to whom ho made himself most agreeable. After the dance was over, he took her to a chair, and seating himself besido her, began to mourn his celibacy. " It is exceedingly easy to remedy that," said she.

" I don't think so at aY : in fact, I do not know a girl who would marry me." She laughed, and replied : " Just go and ask some one here to-night, and I venture to say you will be accepted by the first." "Ah! lam not so sure about that. But —will—you—take me ?" " With pleasure."

And a few monthg later they were married.

A big, good-natured doctor was desperately in love with, and had been twice refused by, a fair-haired little woman. But instead of the disappointment curing his love, it only made the passion grow more intense. After the last refusal, ho told her that if a " ever she changed her mind to let him know, as his love for her was unchangeable, and he would be proud to be her husband. Some months later ho was driving home from seeing a patient, when he saw his lady-love riding in his direction. Supposing she would merely bow and pass on, as she had often clone before, he did not pull up his horse. But the moment Miss Dixon came up to him she reined in her horse, stopped, and called out: " Won't you stop, Dr Hill ?" He raised his hat, and replied : " I shall be happy to do so ;" then waited for her to speak. She was gazing at the ground and blushing deeply; but, quickly looking up, she tilled the doctor's honest heart with surprise and gladness by saying " Dr Hill, I have been closely watching you lately, md, seeing nothing but goodness and noble-mindedness in your character, and believing you will make an excellent husband, I am willing to marry you." Mr Smith, coming all the way from Australia on tho look-out for a wife, saw a young governess on board a Glasgow steamer, wbouT irom her kindness t?nd attention to an ™T'nhnnr n under her chargO, he fancied ZuShiu, himself, and, taking tfat beside i. ci, said. . " I am fifty-three years of a£e ; haw an income of one thousand a j am a total abstainer from intoxicating drinks; have a good house near Melbourne ,' and all I want is a good wife to complete my possessions ; would you mind taking me?" She quietly replied, "I have-no objections." And a few weeks later they were made one. A young man of about twenty-three' years of age, with neither money nor the prospect of getting any, came to the conclusion that the best thing he could do would be to 1 marry a " rich wife" and live on her money. Among his many acquaintances was a widow lady about twice his age, with three' children, but with a steady income of twe* thousand a year. Her he resolved to marry ? and, in order to cultivate her friendship, h& took her presents of flowers and fruit, anrl gave the children books and rides on his horsey The lady kindly received his attentions, gave him the liberty of her house, and treated him like a younger brother in every respect. The young fellow interpeting her kindness to suit himself, and believing he had nothing to do but ask her, ventured one evening on the subject in the following manner ; " I wonder very much why you don't re-marry, Mrs L ." " Simply because no one wants a widow with three children."

" I know one who would be proud to have you and your dear children," said the wooer, feeling the worst was well over. " Indeed, you are most flattering this evening." " No, I am not flattering, I love you, and would be proud to be your husband." She looked coldly on him ; then replied : " You mean you would be proud to own my money, sir ; I havo been vastly deceived, in you." I hen pointing to the door, she continued : " Leave my house ; and while I live, never dare to re-enter it."