Port Tobacco Times, And Charles County Advertiser

Buying a Horse and a Wife

Mr. G. Gerard, of Philadelphia, formerly American consul at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, communicates to the press the following amusing reminiscences of his African consular experience:

"There is a very singular custom among the farmers how to get a wife. If you desire to get married, you should first make inquiry whether the lady you love has a horse; if so, you must ask her whether she has a horse for sale. If she says No, then you had better quit the house at once. She does not like you. But if, on the contrary, she says 'Yes,' it is a good sign, but she will ask you a very high price. If the amount named is paid on the spot, the engagement is concluded, as fully as if the marriage was consummated by the parties.

"On my arrival at the Cape, I did not know of this custom. I wanted to purchase a horse and I was informed by an old Dutch resident that widow had one to sell. I followed the address given, and soon arrived at the door of the widow (who, by the way, was not bad-looking). I asked her whether she had a horse to sell. She looked at me very sharp; then asked me whether I had some letters of introduction. I said that I was an American consul, and would pay cash for her horse. 'In that case', said she, 'letters are not necessary.' I paid down the sum demanded; then, after taking a cup of coffee, she sent her horse by her groom, and both accompanied me home. thousand questions. Master said he. will my mistress go to live with you in town, or will you come and live with us? You will love my mistress, for she was very kind to my old master (laughter): Where will the wedding be?" (looking at me and laughing.)

Truly, I thought, 'the poor fellow has drunk too much or he is an imbecile.' I felt sorry for him:

"When I arrived home I found many people at my door congratulating me, not for the horse, but the acquaintance of the widow. 'Truly,' said one, 'you have been very successful.' 'She is very rich,' said another. I really did not know what it all meant, and I began to be very uneasy, when to my great surprise, a lady alighted on my steps, and at once I recognized the widow! She very coolly asked me when I desired to have the ceremony of the wedding performed. Then, indeed, I fully perceived the scrape in which I was, and told her frankly that it was a horse I wanted and not a wife. 'What,' said she, 'do you mean to act thus to a lady like me? If so, I shall send back for my horse, and will repay you the money.' In a few hours her groom was at my door with the money. I gladly gave back the horse, thankful to have thus escaped. A few weeks after, however, the widow was married; a more ambitious man had bought her horse."