American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-09-14
A Bargain for q Wife.

life with limited capital, found that two
things were wanting to do justice to a
large farm which be rented on long
lease-namely. wife to rule the house
at home. and an additional thousand
pounds to invest upon the land. Like a
sagacious man, he conceived that the two
might be found combined, and he began
to look about for a cheerful lass
with dowry to the desired amount.
Accident threw him one day into COM
pany with the parson of neighboring
parish, with whom, as he rode home
while returning from market, he fell into
conversation. Encouraged by the divine.
the youth unburdened himself Of his
care. and plans. and mentioned the desire
he had for marrying as soon as he could
find an agreeable lass with moderate
dowry.
q tell you what" said the parson,
1--WE got three daughters, and very nice
girls they are, assure you. Suppose
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. l shall not be backward to do my part
as far as l can"
agreed" said the youth. "Tll
come. as sure as you're alive. if you'll
say nothing about it to the ladies. -
THAT shall be a bargain. On Satur-
day next. then, we shall have you at
dinner, at FIVE"
And here. their roads diverging, the
gentlemen separated.
At the appointed hour on the following
Saturday. the young farmer, in hand
some 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 encomiums of their father. but the
youngest rosy faced, roguish, cheer.
full lass, just escaped from her teens
alone made a vivid impression upon the
young farmer. The repast progressed
agreeably, and when ended. the ladies
Withdrew, leaving the gentlemen to chat
over the wine.
"Well. " said the host. "What do you
think of my girls 20
I think them all charming said the
youth a" but the youngest-you call her
Nelly-really is most bewitching, and
clever, too; and if am TO have the hon.
or of being allied to you. you must give
me her. %
THAT is against all rule, ," returned
the host: ''to take the youngest first,
but, of course, L cannot control your
choice. What dowry do you expect ?"
my capital" said the wooer, sis
three thousand pounds, and | want a
thousand more-and 1 must have it. I"
q will give you thousand with the
eldest girl. -
mo; the charming Nelly and the
thousand, or | am off "
THAT cannot be five hundred with
Nelly, if you like. The others are not
half so handsome. and must have for
tune, or l shall never get them of. "
"My resolution is fixed, replied the
young gentleman and 1 shall not alter
my mind
Nor mine, said the parson, +" and
the affair is at an end 1; but we will be
good friends notwithstanding.
The conversation, which each speaker
supposed to be strictly private, now fell
into another channel. The ladies return
ed with the tea-urn, and chatted unreserv-
edly with the farmer. Evening came on,
and towards sunset, the girls having
strolled into the garden. the youth rose
to take his leave. He found his nag in
the stable, and having bid farewell to his
host. took his way through the shrubbery.
that led to the road. He was about
alighting to open the gate, when the rosy
faced Nelly started forward to save him
the trouble. As she lifted the latch, she
arcbly looked up into his face and said :;
Cant you take my fathers money!"
Eyes. by Jove will, If you wish it. -
Then come over to the church to-
| morrow morning. and tell him so after
service ;" and she vanished like an elm
sprite among the shrubbery.
Musing on the proverb which says,
"walls have ears" the young farmer
rode home He did not fail-how
could he ?-of attending at the church
the next morning. and after the sermon
declared to the parson his altered reso-
luton. He married the fair Nelly three
months afterwards and she brought, in
due course of years. row of goodly
sons, than whom there are few at the pres
enthour wiser in their generation. or more