The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-06-21
The Girl that Would be Married,
and why. 3.

MT' halls Hdu, Dy INDUSTRY and
economy, accumulated a large pro
perty. lie was q man Of superior
mind and acquirements, but dnfor
tunately became addicted to habits of
intempcrance. Naturally fond of
company, and possessing superior con.
versrtional powers, his company was
much sought, and he became eventa.
ally a sot His wife was feeble wo-
man, without much decision Of char
acteG but an only child was the re-
verse lllustation Of those singular laws
OF nature, that the females oftenest
take after the father in character and
personal pecuIiariLies, and the males
after the mother. .....
Mary was well aware Of tho con
seqences that would inevitably follow
her fathers course, and had used
every eXertion of pcrsuasion,apd rea-
son in her power, to induce him to
alter his habits, but,without avail; his
resolutions and promises could
not withstand temptation, and pur-
sued his downward course, till the
poor girl despalred Of reform, and
grieyOusly realized what the end
must result in.
John Dunn, was n young man FROM
tho East possessed of good educa-
tion, as all our New England boys
are, and Of their inimitable indus
try and perseverance,, and was work
ing on the farm Of u neighbof by the
month.
Mary, on going on some errand to
the next house, met him Cb the road
with the usual salutatiop-"Good NOR
ming, Mr. Dunn"
"Good morning, Miss Watts. How
is yohr health?"
"Well, | thank you, but to tell the
truth, sick at heart" '.
''Pray what is the troubleY" said
John. "What can affect, u cheerful,
lively girl like you, possessing every
thing that can make you happyY
"On the contrary, 20 make me mis-
erablc, / am almost weary ofliGe.
But tits a subject / cannot explain to
you; ! have some times thought |
might"
"Any thing that L can do for you,
Miss Watts, you may freely com
mand. ....,
"Thisis promising more than you
would DO willing to perform. But to
break tbs lCo at once, do you want
"A wifcl Well, I donpt know. Do
you want II husband?"
Indeed / do the worst way. I !
don't know but you think mo bold, |
and deficient in that fhaidenly mod
esty becoming woman; but ii You |
knew my situation, and the aflic-
tions under which | suffer, | think
it, would be some excuse for my
course"
Have you thought of the con-
scqucnce?" said JOHN" my stua-
tion-I am poor-y0u are rieh-I
am n strnger--and--"
"Indeed have; am almost crazy.
Let me explain; you and every one
else know tho unfortunate situation
of my father His habits are fixed
beyondafieudment, and his porpertJ
wasting like dow before tho sun. A
set of hafpias are drinking his very
hearts blood, and ruin and misery
are staring us IN the face. We are
almost strangers, it Is true; but |
have observed you closely. Your
habits, your industry, and tho care
and prudence with which you have
managed your employers business,
have always interested me"
"ADd set, my dear young lady,
what can you know Of me to warrant
you in taking such an important
step%
" It is enough for me that am sat
isfed with your character and hab-
its--your person and manners. Lam
woman and have eyes. We are
about tho same age; so if you know
me and like me well enough to take
me there is my hand J"
"And my dear Mary, there's mine
with all my heart in it, Now, when
do you desire it to be settIcd|
"Now, this minute give me your
arm, We will go to Squire Benton's
and have the bargain finished at once
/ don't wait to enter our house Of
distress again, until have one on whom
| can rely, to control and direct the
affairs Of my disconsolato home, and
to support me in my determination to
turn over new leaf in domestic af
fairs"
"But not in this old hat, and in my
shirt sleeves, Mary,
"Yes-and in my old sun bonnet
and dirty apron. Ifyou are content,
let il be done at once. | hopo you
will think | am not so hard pushed as
that comes to; but | wait a master
l am willing to be mistress. l will
then take you homo and introduce
you as my own dear husband-signed,
sealed and delivered"
"So DO it-pernit mo TO say that l
have always admired you from the