A Modern Romance of the East.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 956, 27 June 1890, Page 4

A Modern Romance of the East.

A Greek merchant of Alexandria in Egypt, who made a great deal of money, un. able to return personally to bis country, but intent upon choosing a .Grecian maiden for his wife, writes to his correspondent in Corinth at the bottom of his usual business letter : ‘ Finally I request you to remit me, by returning steamer, a young lady vrho ini&ht feel inclined to become my wife. She need not be in possession of any money, with which I am sufficiently blessed, but a good reputation, of the age of twenty-four or twenty.five, a respectable family, good looks, health and temper, and middle-sized figure. If the lady will bring me the ini closed note with your kind acceptance you may feel assured that I shall honour the same and make the bearer my wife.’ Although somewhat astonished at this singular order of his Alexandria correspond* qnt, the merchant of Corinth, as a good business man, thought best to fill it like any other received from so reliable a customer, and to send the merchandise demanded at short notice. Having found a lady possessing the required qualities and willing to transmit with the accepted cheque of her unknown countryman her hand and heart, the Corinthian took her aboard the next steamer going to the country of the Pharaohs. At the same time he notified his friend by telegraph of the precious shipment. As soon as the boat anchored in the harr hour of Alexandria the matrimonious Greek boarded it to hear himself called by name and see a pretty young damsel stepping up to him saying ; ‘ I have a cheque signed by you and hope you will duly honour it.’ ‘Never yet a note of mine has gone to protest,’ replied the blushing groom, ‘ and I shall not permit this to happen to the one you hold. I shall be happy if in compensation you will honour me with your hand.’ A fortnight later the note was redeemed and tho payer a happy husband.—Akrokoriuthos.