The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-05-19

| from his mouth, and looking at the young fellow
| from head to foot. ~.s - .-..
Despite his rather indolent, effeminate air,
| which was mainly the result of his education,
Luke Jordan was fine looking fellow, and not
feasily moved from his self possession; but he
coored and grew confused beneath that sharp
scrutinizing look 2~- - -- @4.
''Yes, sir. Ispoke to Miss Mary last evening
and she-referred me to you"
| The old mans face softened
'Molly is q good girl, a very good GIRL" he
said, stroking his chin with a thoughtful air,
sand she deserves a good husband What can
you doY' - aa- -
The young man looked rather blank at this
abrupt inquiry.
'.Ifyou refer to my ability to support wife,
l can assure you"
Il know that you are rich man. Luke Jor-
dan but 1 take it for granted that you ask my
girl to marry you, not your property. What
guarantee you give me- in case it should be
swept away, as it is in thousands of instances
that you could provide for her a comfortable
home? You have hands and brains-do you
know how to use them? Again | ask, what can
you do 7" ....
This was the style of catechism for which Luke
was unprepared and he stared blankly at the
questioner without speaking.
l.
have you any profession % a ...... .-........
mo, sir, | thought" ... 49,. .....--..
Have you any trade?" .. s.tH
"No, sir; my father thought that, with the
LARGE wealth | should inherit, should not need
any" -......s ...r- ... --.s.. . ....
Your father thought like fool then. He'd
much better have given you some honest occu-
patton and cut you off with shilling-it might
have been the making Of you. AS it is, what
al you tit for? Here you are strong, able
b died 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 daughter" re-
sumed the old man after few vigorous puffs at
his pipe. "Now I've given Molly as good ad-
Vantages for learning any girl in town, and
she hasn't thrown 'em away; but if she didn't
work she d be no daughter Of mine. If choose
I could keep more than one servant; but don't,
no more than choose that my daughter should
be pale, splrItess creature, full of dyspepsia,
and all fne-ady ailments. instead Of the smiling,
bright eyed, rosy checked lass she is did say
that she should not marry any lad that had been
cursed with rich father; but she's taken
foolish liking to ye, and Ill tell ye what III do:
go to work and prove yourself to be man per-
feet yourself in some occupatien-I 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 edeliberately knock
ed the ashes out of his pipe against one of the
pillars OF the porch where he was sitting, tucked
1t into his vest pocket, and went into the house.
Pretty Mary Bilfkins was waiting to sec her
lover down at the garden gate their usual tryst-
ing place. The smiling light faded from her eyes
as she noticed his sober, discomftted look.
Father means well,'' she said, as Luke told
her the result of his application. a"
"And l am not sure but what he is about
right" she resumed, after 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: .r .t TO-. E-'1
"Never mind Tn 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 car
ried with him in his exile these words, and which
were like a tower of strength to his soul, "I'H
wait for you, Luke"
One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in Oeto.
Der, as farmer Bilfkins was propping up the
grapevines in his front yard that threatened to
break down with the eight of its luxurious
burden, neat looking cart drove up from which
Luke Jordan lighted with quick. elastic spring,
quite in contrast to his easy leisurey movements.
"Good morning Mr Bilfkins. | understand
that you want to buy some butter tubs and cider
barreis--I think / have some here that will suit
you:''
Whose make are they?' enquired the old
man, as, opening the gate, he passed by the
wagon.
mime" replied Luke, with an air Of unpar-
donable pride; "and challenge any cooper in
the State to beat them" --.r ~
Mr. Bilfkins examined them critically one by
one. .. -
They'll do he said coolly, as he sat down
the last of the lot ''What win you take for
them - 3 " ..
.sWhat asked you for twelve months ago to-
day-your daughter sir"
The roguish twinkle in the old mans eyes
brcadened into smile.
You've got the right metal in you after all"
he cried. :.Conie in, lad-come in shouldn't
wonder if we made trade after ALL y, ~.
Nothing 10th, Luke obeyed. ----.l
Molly bawled Mr. Bilfkins, thrusting his
head into the kitchen door
Molly tripped out into the entry The round
white arms were barred above the elbows and
bore traces of the -four she had been sitting
Her dress was neat gingham over which was
| tied neat checked apron; but she looked win
ming and lovely as she always did wherever she
was found
She blushed and smiled as she saw Luke, and
then turning her eyes on her father, waited duti-
| fully to hear what he had to say
| The old man regarded the daughter quiz
zicaily
.'aiolly, this young man-mayhap you have
| seen him before-has brought me lot Of tubs
and barrels, all his mako right good article,
too. He asks a pretty steep. price for 'em-but