American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-05-07
THn BARGAIN ron a WIFE.

hthS lle Win llmteQ capital tOunC
that two things were wanting to do jus
, tlcc to large farm which he rented or
long lease--namely, wife to rule
the house at home, and an additional
thousand pounds to invest upon the
4 land. Like a sagacious man, he con
celved that the two might be found com
bned, and he began to look about for
a cheerful lass with dowry to the de.
sired amount. Accident threw him
one day into company with the parson
OF a neighboring parish, with whom,
as ne rode home while returning from
market he fell into conversation. En-
couraged by the divine, the youth un.
burdened himself of his cares and plans
and mentioned the desire he had for
marrying as soon as he could find an
agreeable lass with a moderate dowry.
81 tell you what" said the parson.
"l've got three daughters, and very
nice girls they are / assure you. Sup
pose you come and dine with me next
market day-you will meet them at
the table; and if any of them should
prove to be the inevitable she that
you are in search of, 1 shall not be
backward to do my part as far as can. !"
agreed" said the youth. "I'n
come as sure as you're alive if you'll
say nothing about it to the ladies'"
"That shall be bargain. On Sat
urday next we shall have you at din.
ner, at five."
And here their road diverging, the
two gentlemen separated.
AT the appointed hour on the follow
ing Saturday, tho young farmer in
handsome trim, descended from his
galloway at the parsons door. Dinner
was served few minutes after, and
the young ladies with their mother.
graced the table with their presence.
All three fully justified the ecomiums
OF their father, but the youngest-a
rosy-taced, roguish, cheerful lass Just
escaped from her teens-alone made
20 vivid Impression upon the young far
mer. The repast progressed agreea-
bly,, and when ended the ladies with.
drew, leaving the gentlemen to chat O.
yer the wine. ........ ..
"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 is most bewitch-
ing, and clever too, and if | am to
have the honor of being allied to you,
you must give me her."
''Fhat is against all rule" returned
the host: "to take the youngest first,
but of course / cannot control your
choice. What dowry do you expect?'
"My capital" said the wooer, "is
three thousand pounds, and 1 want a
thousand more--and | must have it..
Il will give you thousand with the
eldest girl"
mo; the charming Nelly and the
thousand, or l am off.
"That cannot be; five hundred will
Nelly, if you like. The others arc
not half so handsome and must have q
fortune or l shall never get them off. u
| mo; my resolution is fixed," re.
piled the young gentleman ''and
shall not alter my mind"
"Nor l mine, said the parson, "and
the affair is at end; but we will be
good friends Notwithstanding
The conversation, which each speak
er supposed to be strictly private, now
fell into another channel. The ladies
returned with the tea-urn, and chatted
! unresorvcdly with the farmer. Even
ing came on, and towards sunset, the
girls having strolled into the garden
the youth rose to take his leave. HC
found his nag in the stable, and hav.
ing bid farewell to his host, he took
his way through the shrubbery tina,
led to the road. He was about aljpht.
ing to open the gate when the rosy fa,
ced Nelly darted forward to save him
the trouble. AS she lifted the latch
she archly looked up into his face and
said 4:
"Can'tyou take my fathers money!
"Yes, by Jove will if you wish it.
"Then come over to the church to
morrow morning, and tell him Sc after
services" and she vanished like an ol
fin sprite among the shrubbery.
Musing on the proverb which says
walls have ears, the young farmer
rode home. lie did not fail-.hov
could he ?-of attending at the churcl
the next morning, and after the ser
mon declared to the parson his altered
resolution. lie married the fair Nell,
three months afterwards; and she bro
IN due course Of years, a row of goodl,
sons, than whom there are few at tho