New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-12-10
EARNING A WIFE
tFrom the PhrenoIogicai journal ]

from the Psychological Journal 90 sag
"And SO you want to marry my daugh-s
ter, young man ?" said Farmer Bilkins,
looking at the young fellow sharply from
head to toes. 500 ''lSipt
Despite his rather indolent, effeminate
air, which was mainly the result of his
education, Luke Jordan was'a fine looking
fellow, and not easily moved from his self.
possession; but he colored and grew coz
fused beneath that sharp, scruitinizing
gaze. las a3ls at4rg9
Yes, sir; spoke to Miss Mary last
night, and she referred me to you"
The old mans face softened.
"Molly is good girl, a very good girl"
be said, strolling his chin with thought-
full air, Z" and she deserves good husband.
What can you do?" -.
The young man looked rather blank at
this abrupt inquiry. 'lo
If you refer to my abilities to support
wife, can assure you"
~ know that you are rich man, Luke
Jordan, but take it for granted that You
ask my girl to marry you and not your
property. What guarantee can you give
me, in case 1t should be swept away, as
it is in thousands of instances, that you
could provide for her a comfortable home9
You have hands and brains--do you know
how to use them? What can you do? -r,
This was style of catechism for which
Luke was quite unprepared, and he stared
blankly at the questioner without speaking.
81 believe you managed to get through
cOllege-haye you any profession
mo, sir; thought" 30. ts.r
"Have you any trade 2"
"No sir; my father thought that with the
wealth should inherit | should not need
any" .,J f5 -rT gsf
Your father thought like a fool, then.
He'd much better have given you some
honest occupation and cut you off with .
shilling-it might have been the making Of
you. As it is, what are you fit fort Here
you are, strong, able-bodiod young man,
twenty-four years cid, and never earned q
dollar in your life You ought to be
ashamed OF yourself And you want to
marry my daughter. Now, l have 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 10
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 be pale. spiritless crea-
ture, full Of dyspepsia and all sorts of fine
lady ailments, instead of the smiling,
did say that she should not marry lad
that had been cursed with a rich father;
but she has taken foolish liking for you,
and I'll tell you what I'll do: Go to work,
aud prove yourself to be a man; perfect
yourself in some oecupation-I don't care
what, If it is honest-then come TO me and,
If the girl Is willing, she is yours" f6f
As the old man said this he deliberately
rose from the settle of the porch and went
into the house, 21l '4I
Pretty Mary Bilkins was waiting to sec
her lover down at the garden gate, their
usual trysting-place. The smiling light
faded from her eyes as she noticed his
sober, discounted look. ...' ..5t f-;..
e Father means WELL she said, as Luke
told her the result of his application.
" And I'm not sure but he's about right,
for it seems to me that every man, rich or
poor, ought to have an oceupation.n'1 5s.ss,
Then, as she noticed her lovers grave
look, she said. softly; .s.l.3-..+ lsf M
g Never mind, Ill wait for you, Luke, y
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared from
bis accustomed haunts, much to the SUR
prise OF his gay associates. But wherever
he went he carried with him those words
which were like a tower OF strength to his
soul: IN wait for you, Luke .7a s.s.
One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in
October, as farmer BilRins was propping
up the grapevine in his front yard, that
threatened to break down with the weight
of Its luxurious burden, a aeat-looking car
drove up, from which Luke Jordan alighted
with quick. elastic step, quite in eontras
with his formerly easy, leisurely move
nents. ben 81 ''a'-'l -s- 'f-srstf-I
Good morning, Mr.. Bilkins UNDER
stood that you wanted to buy some butter
tubs and cider barrels. think / have
some that will Just suit your
Whose make are they?'' asked the old
man, as, opening the gate, he passed by the
wagon. - D. f.i.'H .a-la.t.-fs 50
Mine" replied Luke, with an air of par
donable pride.
Mr.. Biikins examined them one by one.
''They'h do," he said, coolly, as he set
down the last of the lot. "What will ye
take for them?' .-.... -.
"What l asked you for. six months ago
to-day-your daughter. SIR ss 7Ao
The roguish twinkle in the old mans d
eyes brOadened into smile. a-lt s-e Btaq
You've got the right metal in you, after
all, he cried. "Come In, lad; come in. II
shouldn't wonder if we made a trade after
ALL" ae9 o-i ~ lab9s17B.
Nothing 10th, Luke obeyed. 8dfs5.
7 HMVliy UdNIou MT. sDilkenS, tnruStluE
bis head into the kitchen door. ai u --sd
Molly tripped out into the entry. The
round white arms were barred above the
elbows, and bore traces Of The -four she had
peen sitting. Her dress was neat ging-
ham, over which was. tied blue checked
apron; but she looked as winning and
lovely as she always did wherever she was
olnd. /" ~ 81 @31 1VgJ
She blushed and blushed and smiled az
she saw Luke, and then, turning her eyes
upon her father, waited dntifully to hear
what he had to say. -t 10 a.icr
The old man regarded his daughter for {
moment With quizzical look. h 3r7nl
"Moil, this young man-mayhap you've
seen him before has brought me aIlot o.
tubs and barrels, all of his own make
right good article, too. He asks pretty
steep price for 'em, but If you are willing
to give il, we'll and good; and bark We. nv
girl, whatever bargain you make your
kther viii ratify.n % - 715 - =
As Mr.. Bilkins said this be considerateJv
stepped out of the room, and we viii follow
hls example. But the kind of bargain The
young people made can readily be conject-N
pred by the speedy wedding that fol-
lowed. = = = : " ! =
Luke Jordan turned his attention 10 thn
study of medicine Of which profession be
became useful and Influential member.
but every year, on, the Anniversary of M
marriage, he delights his mother-in-law
M ~ 80, : . k,4ll - ffIo