Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-06-01
VI sceIl ny.
DEBBY WILDER; OR THE Hun
DRED DOLLAR NOTE.
By sEBA SMITH.

By sEBA SMITH.
There lived, few Years ago, in the lnteri-
OF of one of the middle States, a sturdy farm
ct, well-to-do in the world, by the name OF
William Wilder. lie had wandered away
from Yankee land in his younger days. to
seek his fortune; and having been Employed
by a respectable Quaker, to work on his
farm, he had cOntrrved b. true Yankee adroit-
ness, to win the affections Of the old mans
daughter, and married her. His wife, hav-
ing espoused one Of the worlds people, con-
trary to the rules of her order, was of course,
read out Of the society if anything, he felt
q little reioiced at it for he thoughtit seemed
T. bring her a little nearer to him.
Mrs Wilder, however, never Oyercame the
habits which had grown up with her child
hood and youth; she always called her hus-
band William, and continued through lie tC
speak the Quaker dialect But tins from
her lips, was never ungrateful or unwelcomC
10 William ears; for one Of the sweetest
sounds that ever dwelt in bis memory was
when he asked her a certain question. and
her reply was; William, thee has my heart
already, and my hand shall be thine when
ever thee may be pleased to take it
William Wilder was a thrifty and stirring
man; and in a few years he found himself the
owner Of a good farm, and was going ahead
in the world as fast as the best of his neigh
bors. Nor has the whole sum Of his fortune
yet been stated. He was blest with daugh-
ter; bright, rosy checked, healthy, rompng
girl, full of life and spirits, and in his eyes,
exceedingly beautiful. Tho daughter, at the
period which Is now more particularly des-
cribed had reached the age of eighteen years,
and was an object Of engros,ing love to her
parents, and Of general attention to the
nCighborhOOd.
q" There's that Joe Nelson alongside Of
Debby again. said Mr.. Wilder to his wife
rather pettishly, as they came out Of church
one warm summer afternoon, and commenced
their walk homeward. Il wish he wouldn't t
make himself quite so thick. -
"Well now, my dear, think thee has a
little too much feeling about it, returned
Mrs. Wilder. young folks like to be togeth-
er. and Joseph is a clever and respectable
TOung man nobody ever says word against
HIM.
d" Yes, he's too clever to be worth any
thing" said Wilder land he II yet take It
into his head, if he hasn't t already, t. coax
Debby to marry him. I've no idea of her
marrying a pauper I've worked too hard
fr what little property I've got, to be willing
to see it 90 to feed a vagabond, who never
earned anything, and never will. / don't
believe Joe will ever be worth a hundred
dollars as long as he lives
my dear, think thee is a little too hard
upon Joseph thee should remember that he
is but lust out of his time. His father has
been sick several years, and Joseph has al
most entirely supported the whole family
ooh, | don't deny but he's clever
enough, said Mr.. Wilder ''all is, | don
like 70 see him quite 50 thick along with
Debby. How should you feel to see him
married to Debby, and not worth decent
suit Of clothes 2
Il should feel, - said Mrs. Wilder, las
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. !
don't think we should have got along any
better, oI been any happier, II thee had been
worth "A hundred th0us md dollars when we
were married.
This argument came with such force to
Wilder's own bosl that be made no attempt
10 answer it, but walked on in silence TIL
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 90 in, but continued lis walk
UP the road to the high ground that over
looked some Of his fields, where lie stood ru-
ninating for half an hour on the prospects
Of ms crops, and more particularly upon the
unpleasant suhjectof Debby and Joe Nelson.
IN I J J. "a md
So much at home at his house, that he could
hardly doubt there was a strong attachment
growing up between him and Debby, and he
began to feel very uneasy about 1t. he had
always been fond Of Debby, and her presence
was So necessary to his happiness, that the
idea Of her marrying at all was sad thought
TO HIM but if she must marry, be was de-
tarmined it should be. if possible, to person
of some property, who would at once place
her in comfortable position in life, and re-
lieye him from the foolish anxiety, 50 com
mon in the world, lest his own estate should
be dishonored by family connections not
equal to it. While he remained there IN tins
mood. he recognized Henry Miller coming
d,rr the road, and resolved at once to take
him TO supper. Miller was a dashing, bus
mess Young fellow, who kept a store about a
mile and a half from Wilder's, and was re-
ported TO be worth five or six thousand dol
lars. He had heretofore been alrequent visitor
at Mr.. Wilder's house, and there was time
when his attention to Debby was such as q
cause him to expect that the thrifty young
trader would become his son-in-law. Debby
however. was not sufficiently pleased with
him TO encourage his attentions, and toI
some time rast his visits had been dlscoun
tenanced.
Good afternoon, Mr. Miller" said Mr.
Wilder. presenting his hand, "glad to se'
YOU. how do YOU do?-fne day this.
Eyes. fine day. said Miller, excelten
weather for crops. how DO you all dc a
home?''
.Quite well, thank you; said Wilder
Come, 90 down to the house with me an
take supper, said he.
Miller colored, and said he did not thin
be could stop. Mr.. Wilder, however, woul
not take no for an answer, and, on consider
able importantly, he prevailed upon him t
ACCEPT his invitation, and they descended tn
hill together, and went into the house.
Debby, here's Mr.. Miller, " said Wilder,a "a
they entered the parlor. -,
Debbv rose. handed a chair, and said
good evening" but her face was covere
with bushes as she returned to her seat. \
Miller seated himself in the chair, he glance
across the room and recognized Nelson. Th
wo young men nodded to each other, an
both seemed somewhat embarrassed.
At this moment Mrs. Wilder entered tn
room.
"How does thee do, Henry" she said pr
senting her hand, | an glad to see thee'
hope thy mother is well. y
Every well, indeed, :" said Miller. and
ter few more remarks she retired to supe
intend the preparation of supper.
Excuse me, Mr.. Miller. little while,
said Wilder; Il want to 60 and sho
Joseph that field of corn Of mine we we
looking at, back Of the hill. According
my notion, it is the stoutest piece in &
town. Come, Joseph. go up and look at it
81 think it is the stoutest piece | ha
seen this year." said joseph; saw it tabo
week ago.
"Oh, it has gained amazingly within