The Waynesburg Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 1867-18??, 1867-10-16
sslut 8maing.
EARNING A WIFE.
BY MARY GRACE HALPINE.

mouth, and looking at the young fel-
low sharply from head to toe.
Despite his rather indolent, efiemi-
nate air, which was mainly the result
of his education, Luke Jordan was a
fine looking fellow, and not easily
moved from his selfpossession; but
he colored and grew confused beneath
that sharp, scrutinizing look.
eyes, sir. spoke to Miss Mary
last evening, and she-retered me to
YOU"
The old mans face softened.
"Molly is a good girl, a re,y good
girl" he said, stroking his chin with
a thoughtful air, "and she deserves a
good husband. What can you do ?"
The young man looked rather blank
at this abruptinquiry.
off you refer to my ability to sup
port wife, | can assure you-"
~ know you are a rich man, Luke
Jordan, but | take it for granted that
you asked my daughter 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 in
stances, that you could provide for
her comfortable home? You have
hands and brains-do you know how
to use them? Again | ask, what can
you do 2"
This was stilc of catechism for
which Luke was quite unprcparcd,
and he stared blanhly at the questions
without speaking.
81 believe you managed to get
through college-havc YOU any proies-
sion ?"
ono, sir; | Thought"
"Ilave you any trade"
No, sir; my father thought that with
the wealth | should inherit, | should
not need any"
"Your father thought like fool,
then. He'd much better have given
you some honest occupation and cut
you off with a shilling--it might have
been the making of you. As it is, what
are You fit for? Here you are, a
strong, able bodied young man, twen-
| ty-four years old, and never earned
a dollar in your life! You ought to
be ashamed ofyourself."
"And YOU want TO marry my daugh-
ter resumed the old man after Il
few vigorous puIIs 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, !
could keep more than one servant;
but | don't no more than | choose
that my daughter should bea pale spr-
itlcss creature, full Of DYSPEPSIA and all
manner of fine lady ailments, instead
of the smiling, bright rosy-cheeket
lass she is. Ibid say that she should
marry no lad that had been cursed
with a rich father, but she's taken
foolish liking to yc, and I'll tell ye
what I'll do; go to work and prove
yourself to be man; perfect yourself
in some occupaton-l don'tcare 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 the pillar of the porch
where he wasstting, tucked it into his
vest pocket, and went into the house.
Pretty Mary Blifllins was waiting
to see her lover down at the garden
gate, their usual trysting place. The
smiling light faded from her eyes as
she noticed his sober discomfted look.
"Father means WE'LL" she said, as
Luke told her the result of his appli-
cation.
And Pm not sure but what he is
about right" she resumed after a
thoughtful pause, "tor it seems to me
that every man, be he rich or poor,
ought to have some occupation"
Then, she noticed her lovers grave
look, she added softly:
"Never mind; III 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, "Fll wait for you, Luke"
One pleasant, sunshiny morning,
late in October, as farmer Blifkins
was proping up the grape vine in his
front-yard, that threatened to break
down with the weight of its luxurious
burdens, a neat looking cart drove up,
from which Luke Jordan alighted
with quick, elastic spring, quite a
contrast to his formally easy leisurely
movements.
"Good morning, Mr.. Blif kins. l
understood that you wanted to by some
butter-tubs and cider barrels. | think
l 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.
"Mine," replied Luke, with an air
of pardonable pride; sand l ch al
lenge any cooper in the State to beat
them."
Mr.. Blifkins examined them criti-
cally one by one.
"They'll do" he said, coolly, as he
set down the last of the lot. "What
will ye take for them ?"
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