Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-10-07

4 AZ
Mary, on going on some errand IL
the next house, met him on the road
with the usual salutation: $1,000
morning. Mr.. Dunn" s
''Good morning, Miss Watts. How
is your health?" W ~
"well, thank you, but to tell the
truth sick at heart.
sPray, what is the trouble;" said
John. "What can effect you, a cheer
full, lively girl, possessing everything
that can make you happy"
''On the contrary to make me miser-
able; am almost weary of life. But il
is subject cannot eyl ,lain to you; and
yet have sometimes Thought might. y
Anything 1 may do for you, Miss
Watts, you may freely command"
s'That is promising more than you
would be willing to perform. But to
break the ice, at once, do you want a
wife %
ga wife Well, I don't know. Do
you want husband?"
!'Indeed i do, the worst way. / don't
know but you may think me bold, and
deficient in that maidenly modesty be-
coming woman; but if You knew my
situation, and the affection / suffer, /
think it would be some excuse for my
course"
"Have you thou ht of the conse-
quences?" said John--'smy situation
L am poor-you are rich-I am stran-
ger-and f'fsf
"Indeed I have-I am almost crazy.
Let me explain. You and every one
else know the unfortunate situation of
my father. His habits are fixed beyond
amendment, and his property is wasting
like the dew before the sun. A set of
harpies are drinking his very hearts
blood, and ruin and misery are staring
us In the face. Weare almost strangers,
it is true; but 1 have observed you
closely. Your habits, your Industry
and the care and prudence with which
you have managed your employers
business, has always interested me"
''And yet, my dear young lady, what
can you know of me to warrant you in
taking such an important step?"
at is enough for me that L am salts
fed with your character an d habits,
your person and manners. i am a wo-
man and have eyes. We are about the
same age; so, If you know me and like
me well enough to take me, there is my
handl"
"And, my dear Mary. there's mine
with all my heart in it. Now, when do
you desire it to be settled %
"Now, this minute; give me your arm
and we viii go to Squire Benton's and
have the bargain settled at once. / do
not want to enter the house of distress
again until / have one friend on whom
L can rely, TO direct and control the af-
fairs of my disconsolate home, and to
support mejp my determination to
turn over a new leaf in our domestic af
fairs.
But not in this hat and shirt
sleeves, Mary % rs
s'Yes, in my old sunbonnet and dirty
apron. Ii you are content, let it be
done at once. l hope you will not think
L am SO hard pushed as that comes to;
/ want a master; am willing to be mis-
tress. viii then take you home and
introduce you as my own dear husband
signed, sealed ond delivered"
$50 be it. Permit me to say that /
have always admired you for your beau
ty and energy, and industrious, amiable
department"
NOW. SOnL, tIlio 10 Vic 1dBpiSob IiO-
ment of my life and trust our union
will be long and happy. l am the only
one my father hears to but his resolu-
tions are like ropes of sand. ] can
manage him on all other subjects you
must take charge of his business and
have sole control there can be no diff
cUlty-I am confident of the result.
They were married, and a more happy
match never was consummated. Every
thing prospered, houses and barns were
repaired, fences and gates we're regula-
ted, and the extensive fields smiled and
hourished like an Eden. The unfortu-
nate father in a few years sank into a
drunkard's grave. Mary and John
raised large family, and they still live
respected and wealthy-all from an en-
ergetic girls resolution, forethought
and courage.