The Matrimonial Market.

Feilding Star, Volume I, Issue 67, 14 January 1880, Page 2

The Matrimonial Market.

A wealthy old bach lor says the Dunedin Tribune, who lately arrived in this city, hit upon a resolve to settlodownin Edina and to take some gay and pretty creature for better or worse, hit upon a novel but successful plan of endeavoring to obtain the hand of one suited to his fancy. The old fellow took into his confidence a well« known young spark, to whom he disclosed his resolution. The younger spark suggested to him the advisability of proceeding to a certain draper's shop n>t 100 miie3 away from the Post-office, where a large number of young ladies are employed and to take his pick and choice from the cluster. The old buffer qaito concurred in the happy suggestion, anl iu tile evening he started off post haste to the establishment in question. On arriving there he interviewed a knight of the broad cloth oa the subject, stating that if he could fiud a suitable ’* wee wifia” among the youug ladies he would settle £LoxTupon her, as well as to give the “ knight” a commission. The 1 * knight” thought at first that the old fellow was jesting, but being assured of tlie genuineness of tha offer, and not wishing to lose the commission, he referred the old fellow t© the head saleswoman. This la ly, on being made aqeainted with the f icts, ushered the old gentleman into the workroom, where, lo and behold 1 he saw somewhere about 50 eligible candidates for the Hymeneal altar seated. This sight no completely dazzled the eyes of the old veteran, that he asked the head saleswoman to lead him out, as he was afraid to propose to the whole lot in case there might be a” general flare up,” and ha might have to contribute a capitation allowance of £IOOO to each. The old fellow, on getting to the door, beat a very hasty retreat, amidst the merry laughter of the group of spinsters, who seemed to enjoy the matter as a joke. The saleswoman herself appears to have thought that the chance was too good to let slip and she accordingly followed the old fellow into the street, where, rumor says, the bargain was made, and it is expected ere a fortnight elapses, that St; Paul’* Church will be the scene of a fashionable wedding.