Would-be Bartered Bride Inspects First Suitor

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27875, 25 January 1956, Page 13

Would-be Bartered Bride Inspects First Suitor

®ec. 10 p.m.) GLASGOW, Jan. 24. A pretty Scots girl, who has announced that she will marry anyone for £lOO so she can clear her father’s j debts, entertained her first suitor today. She is 20-year-old Betty Taylor, a-home-loving girl who never goes dancing and who has never had a boy friend. She has been looking after her father, a travelling salesman, ahd her three school-age brothers and for the last eight months—ever since her parents separated. J-'hst night, shortly after the story Of her bride-for-sale announcement printed in the newspapers, a telegram arrived at the Taylor home, was from a young Englishman, £? r James A. Burns, of Newcastle-on-£yne, and it read: “Accept offer. On way up.” Mr Burns, in a blue overcoat, shielded his face with a cap as he trudged up the snow-covered path to the Taylor’s house today to discuss the wedding. Mr Taylor discreetly left the house and the ?k U^°- er Taylors were hustled into tae kitchen where they tried to conccutrate on playing. .Mr Burns stayed for an hour. One tne children described him as “a “ice man.”

But Betty wants time to consider her verdict. She has said that she would like to marry a tall man, not more than 40 years old —and preferably a Scot. She would not accept the first man to come along with £lOO. She would like to get to know her prospective husband thoroughly before committing herself.

The “Daily Express” said today that Miss Taylor intended to withdraw her offer —“to stop people talking.” Jt quoted her as saying: “Father is very angry at all the fuss I have caused.”