Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1854-06-16
The Parsons Daughter.


A young Norfolk farmer, on beginnig life
with limited capital found that two things
we're wanted TO do Justice to the large farm
which he rented on long lease-namely, a
wife to rule the house nj home and an addi-
tonal thousand pounds to invest upon the
land. Like ssgacious man, he conceived
that the two might be found combined and
he began to look about for cheerful lass with
dowery 10 the desired amount-Accident
threw him one day into company with the
parson os neighboring parish, with whom,
as he rode home while returning from mark
ct, he fell into conversation. Encouraged by
the divine, he unburdened himself Of his cares
and plans, and mentioned the design he had
formed Of marrying as soon as he could find
an agreeable lass with moderate dowery.
I'll tell you what" said the parson, I've
got three daughters, aud very nice girls they
are, assure you Suppose you come and
dine with me next marketday you will meet
them at the table; and if any one Of them
should prove the "inevitsble she" you are in
search of, shall not be backward to do my
part as far as l can"
Agreed" said the youth. an come, as
sure as you're alive, if you'll say nothing
about it to the young ladies'"
THAT shall be bargain. On Saturday
next, then, we shall see you at dinner, at FIVE
And here, their roads diverging the gentle
men separated.
At the appointed hour on the following
Saturday, the young farmer in handsome trim
descended from his galloway at the parsons
door. Dinner was served few minutes aftel
and The young ladies, with their mother, grac
ed the table with their presence. All three
! fully justified the encomiums of the father
but the youngest, rosy-faced rogueish
cheerful lass, just escaped from her teens
alone made vivid impression upon the young
farmer. The repast progressed agreeabll
enough; and when it was ended, the ladies
withdrew leaving the gentlemen to chat over
their vine.
"Well," said the host, "what do you think
Of my girls?
81 think them all charming" said the youth
"but the youngest--you call her Nelly
really most bewtching and clever too; End i
| am to have the honor of being allied to you
you must give me Eer."
"That is against all rule" returned tn
host, ",o take the youngest first; but Of cours
| cannot control youl choice. What dowr.
do you expect"
my capital" slid the wooer, "s thre
thousand pounds, and l want thousan
more-and | must have it,"
81 will give you thousand with the eldes
girl"
"No; the charming Nelly and the thousan
or am off"
"That cannot be: five hundred with Nell,
if you like. The others are not half so hand
some, and must have fortune, or shall neN
er get them off.
"No, my resolution is fixed, said the you'll
"and shall not alter it,"
"Nor | mine," said the parson, "and the a
fair is at an end; but we will be good friend
notwithstanding.
The conversation which each speaker sur
posed to be strictly private, now fell into AT
other channel The ladies returned wit
the tea-urn, and chatted unreservedly vii
The farmer Evening came on, and towart
J sunset, the girls having srolled into the ga
S den, the youth rose to take his leavs. Il
9 found his nag in the stable, and having bad
l. farewell to his host, took his way trough ii
shrubbery that led into the road. lie wi
about all ghting to open the gate, when I'll
!. rosy faced Nelly darted forward to save hir
s the trouble. As she lifted the latch, she loo
!. ed archy up into his face, and said: "Can
e you take my fathers money!"
r "Yes. by Jove, will, if you wish it!'
r. "Then come over to church tomorrow mo
Il ming, and tell him so after SERVICE" and Il
e speaker vanished like an elm sprte amor
/ the greenery.
Mus;ug on the proverb which says, "Wal
It have ears" the young farmer rode slow
/. home. He did not fail-how could he?-
If attending at the church next morning, al
If after sermon declared to the parson his altt
10 ed resolution. He married the fair Mel
three months afterwards; and she broug
ID him in due course of years, a row Of good
sons, than whom there are few at the prese
N hour wiser in their generation, or more wort
!, or more wealthy, in the whole OF broad En-
Is land.