The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-03-16

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William Wilder was thrifty and stirring
man and In few years he found himself
the owner Of q good farm, and Was going
ahead in the world as fast as the best OF bis
neighbos. Nor has the whole sum OF his
fortune yet been stated. He was blest with
daughter: bright. rosy checked, healthy,
romping girl, full Of life and spirits, and, in
his eyes, exceedingly bcautifnl. The daugh-
ter at the period which Is now moro particu-
larly described, had reached the age OF ofeightocn
years, and WIS an object Of engrossing love
to her parents, and Of general attention to
the ncishborhood.
There's that Joe Nelson alongside of Debby
again. said Mr.. Wilder to his wife rather
pettislly, as they came out of church one
warm Summer afternoon, and commenced
their walk homeward. u wish he wouldn't
make himself quite 80 thick
well now, my dear, ! think thee has o
little too much feeling about 1t, returned Mrs
Wilder. Young folks like to be together,
and Joseph is clever and respectable young
man; NOBODY ever says anything against
him.
YES, he's too clever to be worth anything,
said Wilder, 'and he'll yet take 1t into his
head, If he hasn't already. to coax Debby to
marry him. I've no idea of her marrying u
paup,r; I've worked to hard for what little
property I've got to be willing to see it g.
feed a viyabond, who never earned anything.
and never will. | don't believe Joe will ever
be worth hundred dollars rs long Us he
lives. :.
MY dear, I think thee IL 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 al.
most entirely supported the whole family
'Oh, don't d, ny hut he's clever enough
said Mr.. Wilder; 'all is. don't like to see
him quite 80 thick along with Debby. How
should you feel to see him married to Dcbby,
ard It worth decent suit Of clothesY
Il should EEL said Mrs. Wilder, 'as though
they were starting in life us we did when We
were first married. We had decent clothes,
and each OF us good pair Of hands, and that
was all W, had " start with. don't think
we should have got along any better, or been
uny happier, if thee bad been worth hum
drd thousand dollars when We were mar
ried.'
This argument came with such force to
Wider's own bosom that he made no attempt
to answer it, but walked on silence till they
reached their dwelling. Debby and Joseph
had arrived there before them and were nj
ready seated in the parlor. Seeing Joseph
rs they passed the window, Wilder chose
not to 90 in, but continued his walk up the
road to high gronnd that overlooked some of
his fields, where he stood ruminating Tor
half an hour on the prospect Of his crops.
and more particularly upon the unpleasant
subject of Debby and Joe Nelson. The young
man became so f.milliar and 30 much ut
home ut his hous,, that he could hardly
doubt there was strong attachment growing
up between him and Dcbby, and he began To
feel very uneasy about it. He had always
been fond Of Debby, and her presence was so
necessary to his happiness, that tho idea OF
marrying ut all was sad thought to him;
hut IL she must marry, he was determined it
should be, if possible, toa person OF some
property, who would ut once place her in n
comfortable situation in life, and relieve him
FROM the foolish anxiety, 30 common
in the world, lest his own estate should
be dishonOred 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 ut
once to take him to su per. Miller was u
dashing, business young fellow, who kept u
store about mile and u half from ilders,
and was reported to be worth five or six thou
sand dollars. He had heretofore been
frequent visitor ut Mr.. Wilder's house, ana
there was time his attentions tu Debhy was
such us to cause him 10 expect that the thrifty
young trader would become his son-in-'aw.
Dcbby, however, was not sufficiently pleased
with him to sncOurag, his attentions, and
for some time past his visits had been dis
countenanced.
Good afternoon, Mr.. Miller said Mr..
Wilder, presenting his hand, 'glad to SEQ
you. how do YOU do fine day this
Yes, fine day. said Miller, excellent
weather for crops; how do you all do at
homer
Quite we'll, thank you,' said Wilder.
Come, 90 down TO the house with me and
take supper said he.
Miller colored and said no did not think he
could stop. Mr.. Wilder, however, would
not take no for an answer, and, ON considcra-
ble Importantly, he prevail led upon him to
accept his invitation, and they descended
the hill together, and went into the house.
.D,bby. here's Miller said Wilder, as
they entered the parlor. -,
Debby rose, handed him chair, and said
good evening" but her face wascovercd with
ilushes as she returned to her seat. As MIR.
Miller seated himself in the chair he glanced
across the room and recognized Nelson. The
two Young men nodded to each other, and
both secinpd soulew hat embarrassed.
At this moment Mrs. Wilder entered the
room.
How does thee do, Henry she said pre-
senting her hand. Il am glad to SEQ thee
hope thy mother is well.
.Very well, indeed and utter few more
rrmarks she retired to superintcnd the pre-
pantion ofsupper.
Excuse me, Mr.. Miller, little while,
said Wilder i want to show Joseph that
field of corn of mine we wcre looking at back
Of the hill. According to my notion, 1t Is
the stoutest piece In the town. Como, Joseph
20 up and look at it.
Il think It Is the stoutest piecc I've 'ecn
this year, said Joseph; u saw 1t abouta
week ago.
.Oh, It has gained amazingly within q
week. said Mr.. Wilder 'cowe, 80 up and
take look at it,
Joseph was altogether unacustomcd to
sucb attentions from Mr.. Wilder. and he
looked not a little confused 10 no took his
l,at and followed him the door.
They went up the road, and Mr.. Wilder
took him nll around the field of growing
corn, and examined hill after hill, and look.
a. a. al al md