Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-02-23


The following is told by correspondent of
Chambers Edinburgh Journal as true sto-
ry:--
A young Norfolk farmer, on beginning life
with limited capital, found that two things
were wanted to do justice to the large farm
which he had rented ON a long lease-name-
ly wife to rule the house at home, and an
additional thousand pounds to invest upon
the land. Like sagacious man, he conceiv-
ed that the two might be found combined,a land
he began to look about for q cheerful lass with
the desiderated amount. Accident threw
him one day into company with the parson
of neig hboring parish, with whom, as he
rode home while returning from market, he
fell into conversation. Encouraged by the
divine, the youth unburdened himself of his
cares and his plans, and mentioned the design
he had Of marrying as soon as he could find
an agreeable lass with moderate dowry.
IN tell you what, said the parson-' I've
got three daughters, and very nice girls they
are, assure you. Suppose you come and
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 off, shall not be backward to do my
part as far as [ can.
Agreed said the youth. I'll 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 tarmer,in handsome trim
descended from his galloway at the parsons
door. Dinner was served few minutes af-
ter and the young ladies, with their mother
graced the table with their presence. All
three fully justified the encolniums Of the ia
ther; but the youngest, rosy-faced, roguish
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.
WELL said the host what Go you think
of my girls?'
Il think them all charming said the youth
- but the youngest-you call her Nelly-is
really most bewitching and clever too; and
if am to have the honor of being allied &c
you, you must give me her.
That's against all rule returned the host
to take the youngest first; but of course
cannot control your choice. What dowry dc
you expect g
MY capital said the wooer, is three
thousand pounds, and [ want thousand
merc and MUST have it.
Il will give you a thousand with the eldest
girl
No; the charming Nelly and the thou
sand or I'm off,
That cannot be five hundred with Nelly
if you like. The others are not half so hand
some, and must have fortune, or | shall
never get them off
No; my resolution is fixed, said tn
youth, and | shall not alter it,
Nor mine,' said the parson, and the at
fair is at an end but We will be good friends
Notwithstanding
The conversation, which each person sup
posed to be strictly private, now fell into an
other channel The ladies returned with tn
tea-urn, and chatted universally with the tal
mer.
Evening came on, aud the girls havn
strolled into the garden, the youth rose t
take his leave. lie found his nag in the sta
BILE, and having babe farewell to his hos
took his way through the shrubbery that lie
into the road. He was about alighting t
, open the gate, when the rosy-faced Nelly dal
ted forward to save him the trouble. As sh
: lifted the latch, she looked archly up into hi
: face, and said:
Can't you take my fathers money!
Yes, by Jove, will, if you wish it "
, Then come over to church, to-morro
morning, and tell him so after service : an
, the speaker vanished like an elfn sprite anon
the greenery.
t missing on the proyerb which says, wal
have ears the young farmer rode slowl
9 home. He did not 1al-how could he 81
9 attending at the church next morning, an
after sermon declared to the parson his alto
cd resolution. He married the fair Nell
three months afterwards; and she brought hi
| in due course Of years, row Of goodly son
than whom there are few at the present hot
s wiser in their generation, Or more worthy, {
more wealthy, in the whole of broad Englan'