The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-08
dollars as long as he lives

years., anu JOScpu IDS dlLlOcl cuttI6lN SUD-
ported the whole family
oh, don't deny but he's clever enough,
and kind enough to his father and mother,
said Mr.. Wilder, all is, don't like to see
him so thick along with Debby. How
should you feel to see him married to Deb.
by, and not worth decent suit of clothesr
well, | should feel said Mrs. Wilder,
'as though they were starting in life very
much as we did. when we were first mar
ried. We had decent clothes, and each of
us good pair of hands, and that was about
all we had to start with. / don't think,
William, we should have got along any bet
ter or been any happier if thee had been
worth hundred thousand dollars when we
were married.
This argument came home with such
force to Mr.. Wilder's own bosom, that he
made no attempt to answer it, but walked
on in silence till they reached their dwell.
ing. Debby and Joseph had arrived there
before them, and were already seated in
the parlor. Seeing Joseph as they passed
the window, Mr.. Wilder chose not TO go in,
but continued his walk up the road to the
! high ground that overlooked some of his
fields, where he stood Eliminating for half
an hour upon the prospect Of his crops, and
more particularly upon the unpleasant SUBJ
ject of Debby and Joe Nelson The young
man had become SO familiar and so much
at home al the house, that he had hardly
doubt but there was strong attachment
growing up between him and Debby,a land he
began to feel very uneasy about it. He had
always been so fond of his daughter, and
her presence was so necessary to his hap
piness, that the idea of her marrying at all,
was a sad thought to him; but if she must
marry he determined it should, be, if posi-
BILE, to person ofsome property.who would
at once place her in comfor table situation
in life, and relieve him from the foolish
anxiety. so common in the world, lest his
own little estate should be dishonored by
family connections not equal TO it. While
he remained there in this musing mood, he
recognized Henry Miller coming down the
road. and he resolved at once to take him
home with him to supper. Miller was a
dashing business young fellow, who kept a
store about mile and half from Wilder's,
and was reputed to be worth some five or
six thousand dollars. He had heretofore
been frequent visitor at Wilder's house,
and there was time when his attentions
to Dolby were such as to cause Mr.. Wild
der to expect that the thrifty young trader
would become his son-in-law. Debby how
ever was not sufficiently pleased with him
to encourage his attentions, and for some
time past his visits had been discontinued.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Miller. said Wilder
presenting his hand glad to see you how
do you do fine day, this
yes, fine day. said Miller, excellent
weather for crops: how are you all at
home ?
quite well, thank ye,' said Wider
Come, you must 60 down to the house with
me. Why have you been such stranger
latelyl
'Oh, Pve generally been pretty busy,
said Miller, coloriRg little, Il don't get
much time to visit
well, you must 60 down to the house
with me now, and stop to SUPPER said Wild
err; you can have nothing to prevent you
to-day, Pm sure.'
Miller colored still deeper-said he did
not think he could stop; he only came out
to take bit of walk, and did not think
of going any further than the top of the hill
where they now stood. MIR. Wilder how.
ever would not take mo- for an answer, and
after considerable importantly be prevailed
upon Miller to accept his invitation, and
they descended the hill together and went
into the house.
'Debby, here's Mr.. Miller said Mr.. Wild
er, as they entered the parlCr.
Debby rose, handed chair, and said
good evening; but her face was covered
with bushes, and she returned again to her
seat.
! As Miller seated himself in the chair, he
glanced across the room and recognized
Joseph Nelson. The two young men nod
ded at each other, and both seemed some
what embarrassed.
where's your mother, Debby7 ? said Mr..
Wilder; Mr.. Millcr's going to stop to sup
per-
At this moment Mrs. Wilder entered the
room.
How does thee do, Henryr said she,
presenting her hand, 4 am glad to see thee
l hope thy mother is WELL
Very we'll indeed said Miller. and af-
tier q few more remarks Mrs. Wilder retir-
ed to superintend the preparations for sup
per. .
Excuse me Mr.. Miller, a little, while,
said Mr.. Wilder, 4 want to 60 and show
Joseph that field of corn of mine we were
looking at, back of the hill. According to
my notion it is the stoutest piece there is in
the town. Come, Joseph, 60 up and look
at it,
) Il think it is the stoutest piece I've seen
this year, said Joseph i saw it about a
week ago.
'Oh, it's gained amazingly within a
week. said Mr.. Wilder; come go up and
look at it,
Joseph was altogether unaccustomed to
such attentions from Mr.. Wilder, and he
! looked not little confused as he took his
hat and followed him to the door. They
went up the road, and MIR, Wilder took him
\, IL GoIJ sc oorn opd own m, mod