Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-05-19
MISCELLANY A N Y
The Bargain for a Wife.

A Young Norfolk farmer, ON beginning life
with limited capital, found that Two thiDg'
were wanting 10 dojustice to large farm which
he had rented on long lease-namely, wife
TO rule the house at home, and al additional
thousand pounds to invest upon the land Like
q sagacious man, he conceived that the two
might be be found combined and he began tc
look about for cheerful lass with dowry oi
the desired amount. Accident threw him one
day into company with the parson OF neigh
boring parish, with whom, as he rode home
while returning from market, he fell into con-
versation. Encouraged by the divine, the youth
unburdened himself of his cares aud plans, and
mentioned the desire he had for marrying as
soon as he could find an agreeable lass with q
moderate dowry.
~ tell YOU what" said the parson, "Tve 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 ii any of them should prove to be the
inevitable She that you are in search OF, shall
not be backward to do my part as far as can. .
Agreed said the youth. "l'll come, as sure
as you're alive, if you'll say nothing about it to
the ladies"
"That shall be the bargain. On Saturday
next, then, we shall have you at dinner at five. y
And there the roads diverging, the two gen.
temen separated.
At the appointed hour on the following Sat.
urday, the young farmer, in handsome trim, de-
scehded from his galloway at the parsons door.
Dinner was served few minutes after, and The
Young ladies, with their mother, graced the Ia
ble with their presence. All three fully justi,
fed the encominms of their father, but the
youngest-a rosy faced, roguish, cheerful lass,
lust escaped from her teenS-aione made VIVID
impression upon the young farmer The repaSt
progressed agreeably, and, when ended the Ia
dies withdrew, leaving the gentlemen to chat
yer the wine
"Well," said the host, "what do you think Of
my girls :"
but the youngest--you call Ney-realy is most
bewitching, and clever, too; and if | ain to have
the honor of being allied to you, you must give
me her.
"That is against all rule" returned the host
'sto take the youngest first, but, OF course, can
not control your choice. What dowry do yor
expect"
my capital" said the wooer, sis three thou
sand pounds, and want thousand more-ant
| must have it."
81 will give you thousand with the eldes
girl"
"No; the charming Nelly and the thousand
or am of"
"That cannot be; five hundred with Nelly, i
you like The others are not half so handsome
and must have fortune, or | shall never ge
them off"
"No; my resolution is fixed" replied the
young gentleman; and | shall not alter my
mind"
"Nor mine," said the parson, "and the affai
is at an end but we will be good friends not
witllstanding."
The conversation, which each speaker sup
posed to be strictly private, now fell into an
other channel. The ladies returned with tht
tea.urn, and chatted unreservedly with tht
| farmer. Evening came ON, and towards sunset
the girls having strolled into the garden, the
youth rose to take his leave. He found his nae
| in the stable, and having bid farewell to his host
took his way through the shrubbery that led t
the road. He was about alightiug TO open th'
gate, when the rosy faced Nelly darted forward
to save him the trouble AS she lifted the latci
she archly looked up into his face and said:
"Can't you take my fathers money!
"Yes, will, if you wish it,"
"Then come over to the church to morrow
morning, and tell him so after service" !" and sh'
varished like an efn sprite among the shrub
berry. :.
Musing on the proverb which says ''wall
have years." the young farmer rode home
He did not fail-how could he2-of attending
at the church the next morning, and after tn
sermon declared to the parson his altered reso
luton. He married the fair Nelly three month
afterwards; and she brought, IN due course O
years, row Of goodly sons, than whom ther
are few at the present hour wiser in their gen
GRAFTON, or more worthy, or more wealthy, il
the whole of broad England Chambers Jour
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