Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-02-06
CHOOSING A WIFE.

II Ayoung Norfolk farmer, on beginning
|Ge with limited capital, found that
" things were wanted to do justice
the large farm which he rented on
Eng lease-namely a wife to rule the
house at home, and an additional thou
4 Ind pounds to invest upon the land
Like sagacious man, he conceived that
HE two might be found combined, and
he began 80 look about for cheerful
| ass with dowry to the desiderated a.
mount. Accident threw him one day in
h company with the parson of a neigh
boring parish, with whom, as he rode
tome while returning from market, he
H ll into conversation. Encouraged by
|the divine, the youth unburdened him
self Of his cares and his plans, and men,
Itoned the design he had formed of ma r.
hing as soon as he could find an agree
Lie lass with moderate dowry.
q .pn tell you what" said the parson
-"I'vo got three daughters, and very
Nice girls they are. | assure you. Sup
hose YOU come and dine with me next
aarket-day, you will meet them at the
tbe; and if any Of them should prove
be 'ineyitable she" you are in seach of,
shall not be backward to do my part
a fast as cam"
agreed" said the youth. OH come
d sure as you're alive, if you'll say
tothing about it to the young ladies'"
"That shall be bargain. On Satur-
by next, then, we shall see you at din
her, at five" And here, their roads,
aiyerging, the gentlemen separated.
At the appointed hour on the follow
ing Saturday, the young farmer, in
handsome trim, descended from his gal
loway at the parsons door. Dinner was
served a few minutes after, and the
Noung ladies, with their mother, graced
he table with their presence. All three
fullviustifed the enconiums of thefather !;
but the youngest, rosy-faced, roguish,
cheerful lass, just escaped from her
ieens, alone made vivid impression a.
ereeable enough and when twas ended
he ladies' withdrew, leaving the gentle
hen TO chat over their wine.
"Well," said the host, "what do you
blink of my girls p
II think them all charming" said the
youth-"but the youngest-you call her
Eely---is really most bewitching and
clever too and If am to have the hon.
pr of being allied to you, YOU must give
BIC her."
THAT is against all rule" returned
the host, "to take the youngest first
but of course / cannot control your
eboice. What dowry do you expect ?''
my capital" said the wooer, lis
Ahree thousand pounds and | want a
thousand moro, and MUST have it,"
Il will give you thousand with the
eldest girl"
NO; the charming Nelly and the
thousand, or / am of"
That cannot be: five hundred with
No..y, i you like. The others are not
halt so handsome, and must have for
tune, or shall never get them of"
mo, my resolution is fixed" said the
youth, 'and | shall not alter il"
Nor l mine," said the parson, "and
the affair is at an end but We will be
good friends, Notwithstanding"
The conversation, which each pers on
TO be strictly private, now fell
into another channel. The ladies retur-
ned with the tea-urn, and chatted unre-
with the farmer.
Evening came ON, and towards sunset
the girls having strolled into the garden,
the youth rose TO take his leave. He
fOund his nag in the stable, and having
bads farewell TO his hest, took his way
through the shrubbery that led into the
eoao lis was about alighting to open
che gate, when the rosy-faced Nelly dar'
led forwar,, to save him the trouble
AS she lifted tie latch, she looked arch
" up into his face, and said:
Cant you take my fathers money p
Yes, by Jove, l wh';' If you WISH
itr'
Then come over to church, to-mor-
sow morning, and tell him so alter SER
)" and the speaker vanished ike
an ella sprite among the greeNery'
Musing on the proyerb which says
walls have ears the young farmer
rode slowly home. He did not fail
how could he Pot attending at the
church next morning, and after sermon
declared TO the person his altered reso-
luton. He married the fair Nelly three
months afterwards and she brought hin
in due course Of years, row of gocdiy
sons, than whom there are few at the
present hour wiser in their generation,
or more worthy, or more wealthy, in the
whole of broad England.