Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 September 1893 — Not Looking for a Ladie. [ARTICLE]

Not Looking for a Ladie.

Not many years ago, before the “boom” struck Southern California, Mr. L , an old New-Yorker, had a large ranch near Los Angeles. Ho was fond of good company and a good dinner, and frequently entertained house parties at the comfortable old-fashioned Mexican hacienda. Among others who made a stay with one of the New York parties was Miss M . Although a woman of “uncertain age,” she retained much charm of manner, and her quick wit was respected by every one who had come in contact with it. Mr- L was a jolly bachelor of forty summers, who had seen niifbh of the world and had a magnetic personality. He was a man of enormous proportions; some of them, no doubt, encouraged to their growth through his fondness for good things to eat and good wines to cheer the bachelor. The party was at dinner at the ranch one day. The host, the bachelor, sat at one end of the table and Miss M was on his left. He had been chatting with her for some time when she asked for a spoon. Mr. L arose at this and, bowing in his most suave way, said, — “My dear Miss M , won’t you take me?” “Mr. L ,” retorted the lady, “J did not ask for a ladle.”