Vickers replied to the letter as fol
lows:
"I have aleady taken steps to
place you in communication with a
Belgian woman possessing the qual
ities you mention. In the meantime,
I would suggest that in order to
save time and facilitate matters,
you advise me whether your require
ments would include a knowledge of
the English language on the lady's
part, and also whether you would
fix any age limit. Further, it might
be well to advise me as to your own
age, whether you are a bachelor "or
a widower, and if the latter, how
many children you have. A letter
from your banker or postmaster cer
tifying to your financial condition
would also be desirable."
With a promptitude and exact
ness which seem to confirm the
presumption of his entire earnestness
and good faith, the up-state till
er of the soil responded to the re
quisition of Mr. Vickers with the
following letter:
"Dear Sir:--In reply to your favor
of recent date will say that my re
quirements would include a knowl
edge of the English language on the
lady's part. I would want her to
be able to talk English enough tet
-te could understand each othe I
will fix an age limit at 40 years if
she is younger it would be all right.
