The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-04-10
THE PINK CALICO.

them methodically in their cases as be
spoke-"John, come into my study, |
want to have talk With you"
The old gentleman said this with such
an air of Importance that John Morton
albeit of phlegmatIc temperament, Dot
easily. astonished at anything, arose and
followed his father with no little surprise
aud uliosity upon his handsome features.
"What on earth can the Governor have
in his mind 2" be asked to himself; 81
hope he isn't going to fail, or give me a
step-mothGr, but he looks solemn enough
for anything" n u.
Solemn indeed usIhe old gentleman's
counteoance as he sat down opposite his
son, folded bis hands on the green cloth Of
the table between them and began:
"John, if am not mistaken, the day
after tomorrow is your thirtieth birthday" "
$50 it is, by Jove," said John, I'D
quite forgotten it."
"Your thirtieth birthday" continued
the old gentleman, ''and really when a
man comes to be thirty, it Is my opinion
be ought at least to begin to think about
wife. | married your poor dear mother
when | was fye-and-tBenty and felt none
too young. And as ms SONS have grown
up am glad to say they have gener-
ally followed my example. Hiram made
a fine match when he married Miss Cover
and though Peters wife was not such an
heiress, she is good woman and pretty
one-and not extravsgant-aDd as for
William, l couldn't wish him better
partner than the girl he married last year.
You are the only bachelor of the foul, land
must confess am extremely anxious to
see you married before | de-and | am
an old man, John, and cant live great
while"
"As to that, father, you'll live, hope,
to be a hundred" said John. "but |
will look about me, and if see the girl I
fancy, I'll pop the hequestioD. 10 fact, I've
been doing tha: these ten years, only the
right person hasn't come along"
81 see,", said the old gentleman with a
sly chuckle, "you want good wife-a
good sensible girl, who knows how to
take care of her husbands home-eh %
'WeIl, yes" said John with yawn.
"A handsome girl-with bright eyes
aud rosy cheeks with dimples in thcu-
aud nice hair aud taper waist"
"You're quite judge of beauty, de-
clare, father" said John" "Well l
should like pretty wife, that's certain. ]"
A little wife with little something of
her own, too" said the old gentleman.
"In feet an heiress,. 10 sum up the whole
"a sensible afectionate beauty, with a
fortune. That's your wife, john"
off [ can fud her, father" said John
Morton. But you see all the good things
in the world are seldom given to one wo-
man. The heiresses. are often frights,
and the beauties poor,while half the time
one doesn't care to hear pretty one speak
or to look at a sensible. one And as for
prudence and economy, they are handed
over to grandmothers, ,and affection quite
old fashioned. However. fud me such
aEparagon as you describe to day, and
I'll lay my hand aud heart at her feet to-
morrow" ~ III
"Wlll your -"
"Why, of course | will, sir"
"Ah, ha. you're married man then
for found her for you yesterday"
John Morton's eyes opened wider than
their lazy wont with astonishment.
sWho is she?" be asked. ,
"She's a Miss Spice" said the old
gentleman Baxter Spices daughter. |
met her there yesterday, and the moment
I set my eyes on her | said that's the
wife for my son John. A beauty-aud
such a notable domestic little body-aud
every cent old Spice calls his own will be
hOrs somc day. / want you to go down
and see her" r..
John laughed.
Perhaps she's engaged to somebody
else," he said "People seldom leave
such tempting fruit on the bough long
no doubt She's appropriated
ashes ooly eighteen y said Mr. Morton
"and-ahem | happen to know she's
not engaged. / had a talk with the old
gentleman. He wants to see her married
but she don't fancy anyone. She has a
notion, you see, that the young men are
thinking of her money, and declares she
will die an old maid Between you and
NE, Spice expects you down"
"And the young lady !"
Oh! she don't know word about it,
not one l assure you. You will go wont
you p
John yawned. s-- u
"I don't mind running down that way" "
he said "but really I can't promise tc
admire you know" or
| "But you will without promising" said
the old gentleman. "You cant help it
I've some business for you to make au
excuse of-a couplezof horses oldoSpice
wants to sell, which. are just the things