The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1850-03-28
The Prudent Marriage.
TRUE TALE FOR YOUNG LADIES.
"She ,red him for himeLf alone"

Mr.. Watts had by industry and econ
omy accumulated large property
He was man of rather superior mind
and requirements, but unfortunately
became addicted to habits of intemper-
ance. Naturally fond of company, and
superior conversational pow
ers, his company was much sought, and
he became eventually sot. His wife
was feeble woman, without much de-
cision of character; but an only child
Was the reverse-illustrating one of the
ngular laws OF nature, that the fe-
males oftenest take after the father in
character and personal peculiarities,
and the males after the mother.
Mary was well aware of the conse-
quences that would inevitably follow
her fathers course, and had used every
exertion of persuasion and reason in
her power to induce him to alter his
habits, but without avail his resolu-
tions and promises could not Withstand
temptation, and he pursued his down.
ward course, till the poor girl despaired
of reform, and previously realized what
the end must result in.
John Dunn was a young man from
the East, possessed of good education.
as all our New England boys are, and
their indomitable industry and perse-
verance, and was working on the farm
of neighbor by the month.
Mary on going on some errand to the
next house, met him on the road with
the usual salutation-"G Good morning,
Mr.. Dunn"
aGood morning, Miss Watts. How
is your health 2"
"Well, l thank you, but to tell the
truth, sick at heart.
"Pray, what is the trouble 2" said
John. "What can affect thee. cheer
full, lively girl like you, possessing every
thing that can make you happyp
"On the contrary" replied Mary,
everything conspires to make me mis-
erable. I am almost weary of life
But it is a subject | can not explain to
you land yet have sometimes thought
l might
"Any thing that l can do for you.
Miss Watts, You may freely command"
"That is promising more than You
would be willing TO perform. But to
break the ice-do You want awifew
GA wife! Well l don't know. Don't
YOU want husbandw
"Indeed l do, the worst way. l don's
know but you may think me bold, and
deficient in that maidenly modesty
becoming d woman; but if you knew
my situation, aud the Affections under
which suffer, | think it would be some
excuse for my course"
"Have you thought of the conse.
quencesw said Johnny situation
| am poor-you are rich-I am stran
ger-and0
Indeed / have, / am almost crazy
Let me explain-you and every one
else knows the unfortunate situation O
my father. His habits are fixed beyont
amendment, and his property is wasting
like the dew before the sun. A set o
harpies are drinking his very heart.
blood, and ruin and misery are starin.
usin the face. We are almost stran
gers. it is true we have met in com
pany few times, but have observet
you closely. Your habits, your industry
and the care and prudence with which
you have managed your employer
business has always interested me-"
And yet my dear young lady, wha
can you know of me to warrant You il
taking such an important stepp
1It is enough for me that | am salts
fed with your character and habits
your person and manners. am wo
man and have eyes. We are about tn
same age; 50, if you know me and lik
me well enough to take me, there
]my handm
And, my dear Mary, there's mine
with all my heart in it. Now, when d
you desire it to be settled ~
"Now, this minute give me you
arm, and we will go to Squire Benton
and have the bargain finished at once
l don't want to enter our. house of dis
tress again until have one on whom
1 can rely, to control and direct the al
fairs of my disconsolate home, and :
support me in my determination to tur
over a new leaf in our domestic affairs.
But not in this old hat, and in m
shirt sleeves, Mary
1Yes-and l in my old sun bonne
and dirty apron. If you are conten
let it be done at once. 1 hope you wi
not think am so hard pushed as tina
comes to but | want master. | ar
willing to be mistress, l will then tax
Iyon home and Introduce you as m
jewn dear husband signed, sealed an
delivered.v
$50 be it. Permit me to say that
have always admired You from the fir.
minute saw you, for >your beauty an
energy, and industrious, iamiable dt
pertinent"
i Now John, if that is sincere, this
the happiest moment Of my life, and
| huSt our union will be long and happ,
lam the only one my father hears tc
but alas! his resolutions are like rope
| Of nnd. l can manage him on a
other subject; you must take charge
all business, and have sole control
there will be no difiiculty-I am conf
dent of the result.
They were married, and a more hal
1 II