Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-03-09
VOL. XIII.
DERBY WILDER
OR
THE HUNDPED DOLLAR NOTE.
BY SEBA SMITH.

There lived few years ago, in the interior
of one Of the middle States, a sturdy farmer,
well to do in the world, by the name of VIII
liam Wilder. He had wandered away from
| Yankee land in his younger days, to seek his
| fortune; and having been employed by a res
pectable Quaker to work on his farm, he had
contrived by true Yankee adroitness, to win
the affections of the old mans daughter, and
married her. His wife, having espoused one
| of the worlds people, contrary to the rules Of
| her order, was, of course "read out of the So
ciety;" if anything, he felt little rejoiced at
it, for he thought it seemed to bring her lit
tie nearer to him.
Mrs. Wilder, however never overcame the
habits which had grown up with her childhood
and youth she always called her husband VIII
liam, and continued through life to speak the
Quaker dialect. But this from her lips was
never ungrateful or unwelcome to Williams
ears for one of the sweetest sounds that ever
dwelt in his memory. was when he asked her
a certain question, and her reply was ''Wil-
liam, thee has my heart already, and my hand
shall be thine whenever thee may be pleased to
take it,
William Wilder was a thrifty and stirring
owner OF good farm, and was going ahead in
the world as fast as the best of his neighbors.
Nor has the whole sum of his fortune yet been
stated. He was blest with a daughter; a
bright, rosy-cheeked, healthy, romping girl, full
of life and spirits, and, in his eyes, exceedingly
beautiful. The daughter at the period which
is now more particularly described, had reach
ed the age of eighteen years, and was an object
of engrossing love to her parents, and of gen
eral attention to the neighborhood.
"There's that Joe Nelson alongside of Deb
by again" said Mr.. Wilder to his wife rather
pettishly, as they came out Of church one warm
summer afternoon, and commenced their walk
homeward 81 wish he wouldn't make himself
quite SO thick"
"Wel now, my dear, I think thee has little
too much feeling about it., returned Mrs. Will
der. " oung folks like to be together, and
Joseph is clever and respectable young man;
nobody ever says word against him.
"Yes, he's too clever 10 be worth anything"
said Wilder land he'll yet take it into his
head. if he hasn't already, to coax Debby to
marry him. I've no idea Of her marrying a
pauper; I've worked too hard for what little
property I've got to be willing to see it go to
feed a vagabond, who never earned anything,
and never will. don't believe Joe will ever
be worth hundred dollars as long as he lives"
My dear, think thee is n little too hard
upon Joseph thee should relr ember that he is
but just out OF his time His father has been
sick several years, and Joseph has almost
tirely supported the whole family
"Oh don't deny but he's clever enough"
said Mr.. Wilder; sail is, don't like to see
him quite so thick alorg with Debhy. How
should you feel to see him married to Debby,
and not worth decent suit of clothes? ?"
Il should feel, said Mrs. Wilder "as though
| they were starting in life as we did when we
were first married. We had decent clothes,
and each of US good pair of hands, and that
was all we had to start with. l don't think
we should have got along any better, or been
any happier, if thee had been worth hundred
thousand dollars when were married.
| This argument came with such force to Will
| ders own bosom that he made no attempt to
answer it, but walked on in silence till they
reached their dwelling. Debby and Joseph
had arrived there before them, and were al
ready seated in the parlor. Seeing Joseph as
they passed the window, Wilder chose not to
90 in, but continued his walk up the road to
the high ground that overlooked some Of his
fields, where he stood ruminating for half an
hour On the prospect of his crops, and more
particularly upon the unpleasant subject of
Debby and Joe Nelson. The young man be-
came so familiar and so much at home ct his
house, that he could hardly doubt there was a
strong attachment growing up between him
about it. He had always been fond of Debby,
and her presence was so necessary to his hap
piness, that the idea of her marrying at all was
a sad thought to him but if she must marry,
he was determined it should be, if possible, to
a per, on of some property, who would at once
place her in a comfortable situation in life, and
relieve him from the foolish anxiety, so COM
mon in the world, lest his own estate should
be dshonored by family connections not equal
to it. While he remained there in his musing
mood, he recognized Henry Miller coming
down the road, and he resolved at once to take
him to supper. Miller was a dashing bust
ness young fellow, who kept store about a
mile and a half from Wilder's, and was report
ed to be worth five or six thousand dollars
He had heretofore been frequent visitor at
Mr.. Wilderis house, and there was time his
attention to Debby was such as to cause him to
expect that the thrifty young trader would be-
come his son-in-law. Debby, however, was
not sufficiently pleased with him to encourage
his attentions, and for some time past his visits
had been discontinued.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Miller" said Mr.. VIII
deI, presenting his hand "glad to see you, how
do you do fine day this"
"Yes, fine day." said Miller, excellent
weather for crops how do you all do at
home?"
"Quite well thank you,' said Wilder
"Come, go down to the house with me and take
SUPPER" said he.
Miller colored, and said he did not think he
could stop. Mr.. Wilder, however, would not
take no for an answer, and, on considerable i'm
, portunity, he prevailed upon him to accept his
invitation, and they descended the hill together
and went into the house.
"Debby, here's Mr.. Miller" said Wilder as
they entered the parlor.
f Debby rose, handed a chair, and said "good
!, evening"" but her face was covered with blushes
as she returned to her seat. AS Miller seated
himself in the chair he glanced across the room
and recognized Nelson. The two young ner
nodded to each other, and both seemed some
what embarrassed.
At this moment Mrs. Wilder entered the
: room.
s "How does thee do, Henry" she said pre-
e senting her hand. 81 am glad to see thee
b hope thy mother is WE'LL
: Very WE'LL indeed" said Miller, and after
few more remarks she retired to superintent
e the preparation of supper.
\ Excuse me, Mr.. Miller, little WHILE" sale
e Wilder; Il want to go and show Joseph tha
+ field of corn of mine we were looking at bacl