Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-02-23

worth hundred dollars as long as he
lives"
"My dear, think thee little too hard
upon Joseph; thee should remember that
he is but Just out OF his time. His father
has been sick several years, and Joseph
has almost entirely supported the whole
family"
ooh, 1 don't deny but he's clever
enough" said Mr.. Wilder; "al is, don't
like to see him quite so thick along with
Debby. How should you feel to see him
married to Dehby, and not worth a deceut
suit of clothes?'
"T should feel" said Mrs. Wilder, "as
though they were starting in life as we
did when we we've first married. We had
decent clothes, and each of us a 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. il
thee had been worth hundred thousand
dollars when we were married"
This argument came with such force tc
Wilder's own bosom that he made no at
tempt to answer it. but walked on in silence
till they reached their dwelling. Debby
and Joseph had arrived there before them
and were already seated in the parlor.-
Seeing Joseph as they passed the window
Wilder chose not to go 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 OIL
the prospect of his crops, and more par
ticularly upon the unpleasant subject o
Debby and Joe Nelson. The young mar
became 30 familiar and SO much at home
at his house, that he could hardly doub
there was strong attachment growing
up between him aud Debby, and he begal
to feel very uneasy about it. He had al
ways been fond OF Debby. and her presenc,
was SO necessary to his happiness tha
, the idea of her marrying at all was sac
thought to him; but if she must marry
he was determined it should be, If posi-
BILE, to person Of some property. wht
would at once place her in a comiol tabl,
situation in life, and relieve him from th'
| foolish anxiety, SO common in the world
lest his own estate shGuld be dishonoret
by family connections not equal to it
While he remained there in his musinl
mood. he recognized Henry Miller coming
down the road. and he resolved at one
to take him to supper. Miller was dash
ing young fellow, who kept store abou
a mile and half from Wider's, and wa
reported to be worth five or six thousan,
dollars. He had heretofore been FIRE
quent visitor at Mr. Wilder's house, anC
there was q time his attention to Debby
was suca as to cause him to expect tha
the thrifty young trader would become
his son-in-law. Debby, however. wa
not sufficiently pleased with him to en-
courage his attentions. and for some tim
past his visits had been disconntenanced
Good afternoon. Mr.. Miller" sal
Mr.. Wilder, presenting his hand, ''gla'
to SEQ you. how do you do fine da,
this"
I Eyes. fine day." said Miller, "excel
lent weather for crops; how do you all do
at home?"
"Quite well; l thank you," said Wi
der. Come. go down to the house will
me and take supper" said he.
Miller colored, and said he did no
think he could stop. Mr.. Wilder. how
ever, would not take no far an answer
and. on considerable importantly. he pre-
vailed upon him to accept his invitation
aud they decended the hill together, anC
went into the house.
"Debby, here's Miller" said Wilder
as they entered the parlor.
Debby rose. handed chair, and sal,
good evening"" but her face was covere
with blushes as she returned to her sea,
As Miller seated himself in the chair h
glanced across the room and recognize
Nelson. The two young men nodded t
each other. and both seemed somewhl
embarrassed.
At tins moment Mrs. Wilder entere
tho room.
"IIow docs thee do. Henry" she sal
presenting her hand. IL am glad to Sc
thee; hope thy mother is well"
Every well. indeed" said Miller, an
after few more remarks she retired t
superintend the preparation for supper.
Excuse me, Mr.. Miller, littN while,
said Wilder; I'll want to go and sho,
Joseph that field of corn ot mine we we,
looking at back of the hill. Accordin
to my notion. it is the stoutest piece i
the town. Como, Joseph. go up an
:, look nt it,"
/ al think it is the stoutcst piece Nv
seen this year." said Joseph; II saw
about week ago"
"Oh. it has gained amazingly within
week, said Mr.. Wilder; come, go II
and take look at it,"
Joseph was altogether unaccustomed I
1 such attentions from Mr.. Wilder, and h
looked not a little confused as he too
his hat aud followed him to the door.
, They went up the road, and Mr.. vii
der took him all round the field of grow
ing corn. and examined hill after hill, an
! looked into the other fields; aud found
= hundred things to stop and look at, an
, talked more TO Joseph than he had fo
six months. Joseph suspected that hi
walk was undertaken by Mr.. Wilder fc
: the puspose OF leaving Miller and Debb
in the room together. but he bore it a
patiently, and answered all Mr., Wilder
remarks about the weather. his crops, an
his fields, with apparent interest; Tor i
, know too we'll the state of Dcbby's fee
ings both towards himself and toward
Miller, to feel any uneasiness. At lengt
MIR. Wilder concluded supper must |
Il Al. 4 II