Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-04-26
miscellaneous.
CHOOSING A wIFE.

The following sketch from Chambers Ed
inburg Journal, is related By the author as
true, mot merely founded on truth, which
we take to be the expression of the greatest
latitude in our language.
A young Norfolk farmer, on beginning life
with a limited capital, found that two things
were wanted to do justice to the large farm
which he rented on long lease-namcly, a
wife to rule the honss1 at home, and an adj
diflcnal thousand pounds to invest upon the
land. Like a sagacious man, he conceived
that the two might be found combined, and
he began to look about for cheerful lass
with a dowry to the desideratcd amount
Accident threw him one day into company
with the parson of neighboring parish, with
whom, as be rode home while returning from
market, he fell into conversation. Encour-
aged by the divine he unburdened himself of
his cares and his plans, and mentioned the
design be had formed Of marrying as soon as
he eoald lild an agreeable lass with mod
crate dowry.
"I'll tell you what" said the parson, "l've
got three daughters, and very nice girls they
are, | assure you. Suppose you come aud
dine with me next market-day you will
meet them at the table; and if any of them
should prove the inevitable she, you are in
search Of, | shall not be backward to do my
part as fast as can"
"Agreed" said the youth, aI'll come, as
sure as you're alive, ii you'll say nothing
about it to the young ladies'"
'sTLat shall be a. bargiin. On Saturday
next, then; we shall see you at dinner, at
five. Here their roads diverging the gem
tlemen separated.
At The appointed hour on the next Satur-
day, the young farmer in handsoms trim, de-
scended from his galloway at the parsons
door.
Dinner was served few minutes after, aud
the young ladies with their mother, graced
the table with their presence. All three
fully justified the encomiums Of the father
but the youngest, a rosy faced, rogaish,
cheerful lass, just escaped from her teens,
alone made vivid impression on the young
farmer. The repast progressed agreeably
enough and when it was ended, the ladies
withdrew, leaving the gentlemen to chat
over their wine.
SWELL said the host, "what do you think
of my girls y
81 think them all charming" said the
youth-''but the youngest--you call her
is really most bewitching and clever to and
if l am to have the honor of being allied to
you, you must give her to me-
''That is against all rule" returned the
host, ''to take the youngest first; but Of
course I cannot control your choice. What
dowry do you expeets 2
"NIy capital said the wooer, sis three
thousand pounds, and want a thousand
more, and must have it,
81 will give you thousand with the eld-
est GIRL"
ono; the charming Nelly, and the thou
sand, or am off.
!. sThat cannot be FIVE hundred with Nell
" If you like. The others are not half so
handsome, and must have fortune, or |
shall never get them of. "
"No, my resolution is ixed," said the
youth, "and | shall not alter it."
"Nor mine said the parson, and the af-
fair is at an end but we viii be good friends
Notwithstanding"
The conversation, which each person sup
posed to be strictly. private, now fell into
another channel The ladies returned with
the tea-urn, and chatted unreseryedly with
the farmer.
Evening came on, and towards sunset, the
girls having strolled into the garden, the
youth rose to take his leave. lie found his
nag in the stable, and having bid farewell to
his host, took his way through the shrubbe-
4 ry that led into the road. He was about
alighting to open the gate, when the rosy
faced Nelly darted forward to save himthe
trouble. AS she lifted the latch, she look
ed archly mp into his face, and said
"Can't you take my fathers money :"
eyes by dove, ] will, if you wish it !"
"Theu come over to church, Tomorrow
morning, and tell him so after service and