THE UPPER-TEN MARRIAGE BROKER.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 29, 9 April 1907, Page 2

THE UPPER-TEN MARRIAGE BROKER.

HOW LORD BAREACRES MAR-

RIES MISS MONEYBAGS,

It was by a mere accident that I ever earned money as a marriage broker. In fact-the first money that I ever earned at this profession—for profession it now is—was, so to speak, thrust upon me. Possessed of small means, I was what is known as a ‘‘younger son,'-' and even as a "detrimental " among match-making mothers. They would allow me to escort their daughters to social functions, and even, when parteners were shy, to dance with them. Perhaps I should say that I was an excellent dancer and helped, no doubt, to show off the young ladies' graces. But when any of the fair debutantes began to show more than usual interest in my unworthy self, mamma would take care to let me know that any attention on my part would not be welcomed by the home authorities. The dear things need not have worried. I had no intention of getting married, though there was one nice little girl But that’s nothing to do with the present story. HOW I BECAME A BROKER. One morning I was talking a t the club to a young nobleman whose fondness for racing had brought him pretty well to grief, and who, in a way, was a friend of mine. ‘You might do me a turn,’’ I said casually, "and give my wine merchant an order. It’s no use beating about the bush, it will do mo a bit of good." With a certain class of man I always adopted the frank, open method and it generally came off. Not a bit of good, old chap,’’ was the answer. "I’m up to my neck in trouble, and don’t know whore to turn for a bob, so what’s the good of my giving you an order? Find me a rich wife, and I’ll give you orders as many a s you like." Wo then both laughed and parted, and the incident faded from my mind. About, throe months later I was surprised to read of his engagement to the daughter of a rich contractor. I wrote to’ congratulate him, and was more than ever surprised to receive a brief, breezy note from him. "Tell your wine man to see my, steward, and it will bo all right, You did me a grand turn, and she's a ripping girl!" I racked my brains for a solution, and at last it flashed across me. A FATEFUL POLO MATCH. A week after our conversation at the club, I was at Hurlingham where the impecunious aristocrat can always run his horses on credit—and ho was playing in a polo match— for the contractor's daughter was also there with a party. ‘‘Como along,” I said, after the match; "I’ve got that heiress for you. I’ll introduce you." I give you my word, I had no other idea than playing off a joke on the girl's mother, who had a terror of me and all my friends, who were mostly as impecunious as myself.

Ihit evidently Lord went in and won, and my commission from the wine merchant was over £BOO. So quite by accident I became a marriage broker; and it occurred to mo that if only I could work the game discreetly there ought to be good hard cash in it.

A long experience of society taught me how to spot the adventurous mothers with unsatisfied dressmakers’ bills and absolutely no prospects for their daughters. 1 left them severely alone, and wont for the mother and in many cases for the father—-who was anxious to buy a title or a good family connection for the daughter.

With the men I never made any bones about the matter. I knew the possibilities of every man who was any catch as a titled individual, or whatever his particular attraction was, and I went straight to him. These were my questions: “How much do you owe? Tell us all about the mortgages, and what it would cost to put the estate straight, pay off the liabilities, ole., and what can you keep up a proper style on?” When he had told me all, I came to my own side of the question, “What do I get out of it if I find you a rich wife and the settlements arc all right?” As a rule there was never any trouble about my commission. SUSPICIOUS OF BIG REWARDS. The majority of my clients were so delighted at the thought of probable freedom from worry that they would oiler me absurd sums. But I knew better than to take their word for large amounts, and got them to give me commission notes for sums which they would not kick at honouring after marriage—when, strangely enough, people frequently see the black side of things. Then to the mothers or fathers I went with my information, and if they were satisfied with the prospective deal I inlroducwd my man. If possible I never let him know which was the girl whose parents were ready to buy him—for it amounted to that—or else ho might have popped in on his own account, and there would have been no commission for me. The whole business sounds rather cold-blooded, but I consider I supplied a want. By degrees I became known and men would come up point-blank and ask me to find them rich wives, and in one season I got off no fewer than four of my friends. Two were only honourables, oire was a viscount, and three lives stood between the fourth and a title, so I think I did fairly well. A PLEASING RECORD. Here are a few of my successful cases ; Miss A—, banker’s daughter. £30,000 and £2,000 on her lather's death. Married her to Count G—.

an Italian, witß a rufnocr caSWe antt unproductive vineyards. Commission, £1,500, paid first year after marriage.

Mrs. M—, well-known solicitor’s widow, fairly young, with £4,000 cash, and £l,lOO a year. Introduced her to the Honourable— of the Guards, ten years her junior, an d twice bankrupt. She died within a year, and I -never got a penny. Miss F—, my best case, £250,000 in her own right and an estate in Scotland. Arranged this with the lady herself, who was getting on. Found her Lord—, middle-aged, with £5,000 a year of his own, not enough for his expensive tastes. A great success, couple devoted to each other, and I got commission from both sides—altogether £3,500. I acted as broker in nine cases all told, and then I suddenly found myself engaged to a nice little girl, and I dropped out of society when we married.—"Answers."-