Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-08-19
Swapping Beaux.

Some years ago, there lived in the same
neighborhood in the little State Of Rhode Island
three young lady cousins. Martha, Eleanor,
and Dorlthy wee their names more Familiarity
they were known as Patty, Nelly, and Dolly
The first was daughter of parson. the sec
ond of farmer, and the third of blacksmith.
At the time of which we would speak, all the
three were between nineteen and twenty -one
years of age, good looking, sprghtly, and intel
ligent; yet differing materially in their style Of
comcness, and no less in their tastes and habits.
Now, each Of these young women had
lover and the gossips of the vicinity had been
favored with a revelation that there was soon to
be triple wedding. And so they had been reg
uIarIy to church, Sabbath after Sabbath, rain or
shine, because they would not miss of hearing
the three pubishments read.
They said, moreoyer-those did who were wise
in their own concets-that it was marvellous
how well matched these three couple wcre.-
"a minister's daughter" they argued. is of
course, best fitted to be a minister's wife far
mer's daughter will most naturally make the
most suitable wife for farmer, and the same
for mechanics wife" We shall presently
know what view tho cousins took of this logic.
As may be inferred from the foregoing para
graphs, the sujtor for Patty's hand was clergy
man while her two young relatives were appa-
rcnty destined to marry, respectively, a striker
upon the anvil and IA tiiler Of the soil
Patty's acquaintance with the Rev. Mr.. An.
drcws was the result of her attending the young
pastors installation over a ncighborng church
on which occasion her father had officiated prom.
inentIy and sometime, either before, during, OIL
after service, had presented, without a specia
motive of course, his interesting daughter to the
shepherd elect. The latter, impressed with the
Importance of having heIpmeet in his labor'
of love, at once fixed his desires on Miss Patty
Nelly'5 intended was tho only child of re.
spectacle fdrmerwoll to do in the world Dollyt
was one who had served her father IA long ant
faithfully if not the same reward, as Jacob did
Lqban; and was just now setting up in busines.
for himself, with fair prospects.
$ Good morning" said cousin Patty coming
into NelIy's room quite early. You was 90
ing ont, wasn't you for | sec you have OF
your shawl and bonnet. Well will not detaiI
you long
"Come in Nelly; take a chair you are the
very person want to see. At least you are one
Of the two, and as Dolly is the other, pethap
you will bear me company to see her.
" Certainly intend to call on her befor
going back, for have particular business witt
you both. So | shall brooch the subject at onc
and speak without any reserve. Mr.. Andrew
proposed last night, and promised final de
cision in twenty four hours. Now | honor tn,
man, and but for one single consideration, coult
have given him an affirmative answer on th,
spot. / set my heart long ago on marrying ;
farmer"
"Oh, dear !" exclaimed Nelly chow wish
then, Mr., Smith wanted you instead of me-
My only objection to him IS that he is a farmer
and have concluded that must make this a.
objection. 1t isn't that am unwilling to work
and work hard-that you know Patty-but tn,
particular kinds Of work that devoIye on a far
mcrS vile are awfuIly dstaste(ul to me.
would choose mechanic for husband above
any other"
81, on the contrary, delight in nothing s
much as making butter and cheese, feeding
poultry and even pigs. You know was alway
bewltched to be here helping Aunt. The fac
is | am nicely fitted. mind and body, to be a far
mer's wife, and am not at all fitted for any
thing else. Only look at this great arm G
mine! 1t appears deal more like milking cow
and mixing bread, than gracing clergyman
reception room"
&" But there's cousin Dolly said Nelly, {"
often thought what first rate minister's wifi
she would make. She is always 50 active in al
benevolent enterprises, and SO selfsacrifcin
Oh! cousin Dolly suppose is engaged to MI
Vulcan, but she really ought to be a minister
wife"
That's precisely my opnon,' returne
Patty. "And now that we understand tn
matter and are SO well agreed, let US 90 ove
and consult with cousin Dolly and try if W
cannot make some arrangements for an cx
change by which we may all be mutually bene
fitted"
They found cousin Dolly crying. She was
contemplating, she said, the probability of be
marriage with MI. Vulcan, She deeply regre
ted ever having given him the least encourage