Edison's Courtship.

Hastings Standard, Issue 251, 19 February 1897, Page 4

Edison's Courtship.

The story of Edison's first courtship is intensely interesting, in that it is markedly characteristic of the famous inventor. His first wife was, previous to her marriage, a telegraph operator in his employ. Her maiden name was Stilhvell. One day, while standing behind her chair, and watching her dextrous hands despatch the swift messages one after another, Edison, who had long admired the young lady afar off, was not a little surprised when she suddenly turned round and said, " Mr Edison, I can always tell when you are behind me or near me." " Plow do you account for that?" returned Edison. "I don't know, I'm sure," responded the young lady, " but I seem to feel when you are near me." It was now Miss Stillwell's turn to be surprised, for with his characteristic bluntness and ardour, Edison confronted the young lady, and looking her full in the face said, " I've been thinking considerably about you of late, and if you are willing to marry me, I would like to marry you." " Y'ou astonish me," exclaimed Miss Stillwell. "I—l never," "I know you never thought of my asking you such a question," interrupted Edison, " but think over my proposal, Miss Stillwell, and talk it over with your mother." Then he added, in the same business-like way, as though he were experimenting with some new form of love-making. "Let me know, please, as early as possible, for, if you are willing, and your mother consents, we can be married on Tuesday week next." This was the extent of Edison's first courtship. The young lady laid the abrupt proposal before her mother, and next morning informed her lover of the maternal consent. "That's all right then," observed Edison, " we will be married a week from next Tuesday." And so it happened.