The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-11-29
MistelIaneons Selections
EARNING A WIFE.
BY MARY GRACE HALPINE.

klns, removing the pipe from his mouth
and looking at the young fellow sharp
ly from head to toe. ,-r
Despite his rather indolent, etfemin-
ate air, which was mainly the result Of
his education, Luke Jordan was fine
looking fellow, and not easily moved
from his selfpossession; but he colored
and grew confused beneath that sharp.
scrutinizing look.
Yes, sir. l spoke to Miss Mary last
evening and she-she referred me to
YOU
The old mans face softened.
Molly is good girl, very good
GIRL he said, stroking his chin with a
thoughtful air, 'and she deserves good
husband. What can you do?'
The young man looked rather blank
at this abrupt inquiry.
If you refer to my ability to support
wife, l can assure you
Il know that you are a rich man,
Luke Jordan, but | take it for granted
that you ask my girl to marry you, not
your property. What guarantee can
you give me, in case it should be swept
away-as it is in thousands of instances
that you could provide for her a com
Portable home? You have hands and
brains-do you know how to use them
Again ask what can you do"
This was style of catechism for
which Luke was quite unprepared, and
be stared blankly at the questions with
out speaking.
i believe you managed to get through
college-have you profession?'
No, sir; thought
Have you trader
No, sir; my father thought that with
the wealth l should inherit, | should
not need any,
Your father thought like a fool, then.
He'd much better have given you some
honest occupation and cut you off with
a shilling-it might have been the max
ing of you. AS it is, what are you fit
for? Here you are, strong, able
bodied man, twenty-four years old, and
never earned dollar in your life! You
ought to be ashamed of YOURSELF
And you want to marry my daugh-
terri resumed the old man. after few
vigorous puffs at his pipe Now I've
given Molly as good advantages for
learning as any girl in town, and she
hasn't thrown 'em away; but if she
didn't know how to work, she'd be no
daughter of mine. If choose, l could
keep more than one servant; but don't
no more than l choose that my daugh-
ter should be pale, spiritless creature,
full of dyspepsia, and all manner of fine
lady ailments, instead of the smiling,
bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked lass she is.
l did say that she should marry no lad
that had been cursed with rich father;
but she's taken foolish liking to ye,
and tell ye what III do: go to work, and
prove yourself to be man. perfect
yourself in some occupation-l don't
care what, so it be honest; then come
to me, and, if the girl is willing, she is
yours
As the old man said this, he deliber-
ately knocked the ashes out of his pipe
against one of the pillars of the porch
where he was sitting, tucked it-into his
vest pocket, and went into the house.
Pretty Mary Blifkins was waiting to
see her lover down at the garden-gats,
their usual trysting place. The smiling
light faded from her eyes as she noticed
his sober discounted look.
Father means well, she said sfter
Luke told her the result of his applica-
ton.
'And I'm not sure but what he said
is about right she resumed, after a
thoughtful pause, for it seems to me
that every man, be he rich or poor,
ought to have some occupation
Then, as she noticed her lovers grave
look, she added softly:
Never mind; I'll wait for you, Luke
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared
from his accustomed haunts, much to
the surprise of his gay associates. But,
wherever he went, he carried with him
in his exile these words, and which
were like tower of strength to his
soul, 'I'll wait for you, Luke
One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late
in October, as farmer Blifkins was prop
ping up the grapevine in his front
yard, that threatened to break down
with the weight of its luxurious bur-
dens, neat-looking cart drove up, from
which Luke Jordan alighted with a
quick, elastic spring, quite in contrasts
to bis formerly easy, le;surely move
ments.
'Good morning, Mr.. Blifkins. un-
derstood that you wanted to buy some
butter tubs and cider barrels. | think
that have some here that will Just suit
YOU
Whose make are they!' inquired the
old man, as, opening the gate he paused
by the wagon.
Nine replied Luke, with an air OF
pardonable pride; 'and | challenge any
cooper in the State to beat Them
Mr.. Blifkins examined them critical
ly one by one.
They'll DO he said coolly, as he set
down the last of the lot. What will
ye ask for them.'
what l asked you for six months
ago to-day-your daughter, sir
The rouglsh twinkle in the old mans
eyes broadened into a smile.
You've got the right metal in you after
ALL he cried. Come in, lad-come in,
| shouldn't wonder if we make trade,
after all
Nothing 10th, Luke obeyed.
Molly brawled Mr.. Blifkins, thrust
ing his head into the kitchen door.
Molly tripped out into the entry. The
round, white arms were barred above