Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-11-09
A Girl that Would be Married
and why.

accumulated a large property. He was a
man of rather superior mind and acquire
ments, but unfortunately became addicted
to habits of intemperance. Naturally fond
of company, and possessing superior con
versational powers, his company was much
sought and he became eventually a sot.-I
His wife was feeble woman, without de-
cision of character; but an only child was
the reverse, illustrating one of those singu-
lar laws of nature, that the females often
est take after the father in personal peculi-
arties, and the males after the mother.
Mary was well aware of the consequences
that would inevitably follow her father
course, and had used every exertion of per-
suasion and reason in her power, to induce
him to alter his habits, but without avail;
his resolutions and promises could not with
stand temptation, and he pursued his own
downward course, until the poor girl dis
paired of reform, and grievously realized
what the end must result in.
John Dunn was a young man from the
East, possessed of good education, as all
oui New England boys are, with their in
domitable industry and perseverance,, and
was working on farm of neighbor by the
month.
Mary, on going on some errand to the
next house, met him on the road with the
usual salutation-" Good morning, Mr..
Dunn.
Good morning, Miss Watts. How is
your health?"
"Wel, l thank you, but to tell the TRUTH
sick at heart"
pray, what is the trouble?' said John,
p what can affect you, q cheerful, lively girl
like you, possessing everything that can
make you happy?'
''On the contrary to make me miserable
7 Of Efa Ruf II q nh
!, iect | cannot explain to you; and yet have
sometimes thought | inght."
Anything that | can do for you, Miss
Watts, you may freely command.
THAT is promising more than you would
be willing to perform. But to break the
! ice at once do you want wife?'
! "a wife! Well, l don't know. Do you
. want husband?'
4 Indeed | do, the worst way. dom t
+ know but you may think me bold and def
i cient in that maidenly modesty becoming a
f woman, but did you know my situation,
and the affections under which | suffer, |
think it would be some excuse for my
A course.
Have you thought of the consequence
A said John-''my situatiOn-l am poor
e you are rch-I am stranger-and-
@ Indeed | have, | am almost crazy. Let
me expain-you and every one else knows
# the situation of my father. His habits are
fixed beyond amendment, and his property
is is wasting like the dews before the sun. A
n lot of harpies are drinking his very heart
blood, and ruin and misery are staring us il
It the face. We are almost strangers, it il
t true; but | have observed you closely
Your habits, your industry and the care anC
prudence with which you have managel
l your employers business, have always in
n terested me.
"And yet, my dear young lady, wha
ID can you, know of me to warrant you in tax
st ing such step?"
sit is enough for me that am satisfied
with your character and habits-your per
d son and manners. | am woman and hav
}? eyes. We are about the same age; SO,
# you know me and like me well enough t.
DO take me, there is my hand!'
"And, my dear Mary, there mine will
le all my heart in it. Now, when do you de
ifI sire it to be settled?'
Now, this minute; give me your arm
I'd and we will 60 to squire Benton's and hav
Il the bargain finished at once. didn't wan
to enter our house of distress again until
H. have one on whom can rely, to control an
ty direct the affairs of my disconsolate home
al and to support me in my determination t
d, turn over new leaf in our domestic al
he fairs.
or ''But not in this old hat, and in shir
he sleeves, Nary
"Yes-and | am in my old sun bonne
ed and dirty apron. If you are content let
nd be done at once hope you will not thin
ID | am so hard as that comes to; but L wal
at master. l am willing to be mistress.
will take you as my own dear husband
80 signed, sealed and delivered.
'o' $50 be eit-permit me to say, that l hay
au always admired you from the first minute
eI saw you, for your beauty and energy an
=, . industry, and amiable department.
Nv ~ snow John, if that is sincere, this
,a,d the happiest moment ofmy life, and l tru
ut ,ot that our union will be long and happy.
nd am the only one my father hears to; bl
NV alas! can manage him on all other su
on jects; you may take charge of his busines
re' and have sole control; there will be no diff
LS culty-l am confident of the result"
of They were married, and more hapl
match never was consummated. Ever
m thing prospered; houses and barns were I
III paired fences and gates were regulated, al
"a the extensive fields smiled and fourish
like an Eden. The unfortunate father in
loo few years sank into drunkard's gray
'0' Mary and John raised a large family al
a they still live respected and wealthy
~ an from an energetic girls resolution, fol
faII thought and courage.
, is A new married couple went to Niagara