The Widow Finds Love (Mail Order Bride Series) Read Free Page A

scalawags are doing.  It was a blessing to see the war end, but these people come in here and take advantage of the widows.  Sinful, that’s what it is.  The Lord will see they get their desserts.”
     
    “I tell you, Preacher, it’s been tough.  We were lucky enough to save Papa’s farm, but them having to support Becky and me puts a strain on them.
     
    “Preacher, when you look around the church, there are more widows than unmarried men.  Is it that way all over?” she asked.
     
    “It is,” he said.  “The war took a terrible toll.  York District lost most of its twenty and thirty year old men, leaving a lot of destitute widows behind.  I’m afraid those who don’t have family are on the brink of starvation.  The church does what it can to help, but we don’t have much ourselves.”
     
    “Are you performing any marriages  on your circuit,?”
     
    “There’s no one to marry,” he said.  “I see women doing desperate things.  Things that were unheard of a few years back.”
     
    “What kind of things?” she asked.
     
    “A widow over at Antioch, left her family and went out west to marry a man she had never even seen,” he said.  “That is a mark of desperation in my book.  They don’t have the slightest idea of the character of the man they are going to meet and marry.  I’ve heard tell there have been others doing pretty much the same thing.”
     
    “Where do they hear about these men?” she asked.
     
    He said, “They’re mostly from the mining and farming country out west.  I heard mention of a newspaper that runs advertisements for both men and women.  Surely you aren’t thinking of doing such a thing are you?”
     
    “Desperate times call for desperate things, Preacher,” she answered.  “Mama and Papa are getting up in years.  I don’t want to live my life out alone.  I might be tempted by something like that.  Do you happen to know the name of the paper?”
     
    “I believe it was called The Matrimonial News out of Kansas City,” he said.  “I guess you could write them, but be careful, Sarah.”
     
    “I will, Preacher, and thank you,” she responded.
     
    Later that evening…
     
    It probably wouldn’t be too smart to tell Mama and Papa about this, s he thought as she penned a letter to the matrimonial paper.  Her letter read in part:
    “I learned of your newspaper today and as I am in need of a husband, I would be grateful if you could provide me with some information about the process.  I am a twenty five year old widow.  I have brown hair and brown eyes.  I am five feet six inches and my weight is proportional.  I do not think I am unattractive.  I have limited means and I have a five year old daughter, but I have lived on a cotton farm most of my life.  I would like to correspond with those of approximately the same age with normal size and weight, with marriage as a possibility.  Children would be no hindrance.
     
    “I don’t know what your requirements are, since I have never seen your newspaper.  If there is a fee, please notify me and I will send same.  (s) Sarah Hutchison, Yorkville,  SC.”
     
    After posting the letter, Sarah thought, I wonder if this was such a good idea?  Oh well, I don’t have to do anything about it even if I get an answer.
     
    Two weeks after mailing her letter, Sarah received two pieces of mail.  One was a copy of The Matrimonial News.  The other was a letter from the editor that explained the way the paper operated: No names or addresses revealed without the owner's permission.  All mail would go through the editor until permission was given for direct mail.
     
    The editor’s letter went on to say “You provided all of the information normally used in an advertisement, so I have taken the liberty of creating an ad for you.  Ads submitted by ladies are free, so there will be no fee.  Should you have questions, please ask.  It closed with, “To date, our ads have resulted in over 1,500