Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-03-13
EARNING A WIFE.


Burton, removing tho pipo from his
mouth, and looking at the young fel,
low sharply from head to toe.
Despite his rather indolont, effcmi-
nate air, which was mainly tho result
of his. education, Luke Jordan was a
fine looking fellow, and not easily
moved from his selEpossessior; but
ne colored and grew confused beneath
that sharp, scrutinizing look.
ayes sir. I spoke to Miss Mary
last evening, and sho-she referred
me to you." .
The old mans face softened.
"Molly is a good girl, a very good
girl" he said, stroking his chin with q
thoughtful air, "and she deserves
good husband. What can you do ?"
The young man looked rather blank
at this abrupt inquiry.
"1f you refer to my ability TO sup
port wife, can assure you"
"I know thatyou arc well off, Luke
Jordan, but take it for granted that
you asked my girl to marry you, not
your property. What guarantee can
you give mo, in case it should be
swept away-as it is in thousands Of
instanccs-tbat you could provide for
her a comfortable homer You have
hands and brains-do you know how
to use them? Again Task, what can
you do?"
;This was style of catechism for
which Luke was quito .unprcparod,
and he stared blankly ut tho question
er without speaking. >.
IL believe you managed to get
through college-havo you any profes-
sion W
"No, sir; thought"
iIave you ary trade-?"
"No, sir. My father thought that,
with the wealth l should inherit, L
should not need any"
"Your father thought like a fool
then. He'd much better havo given
you some honest occupation, and cut
you off with shilling-it might have
been the making of you. AS it is,
what arc you ft for? Here you arc,
q strong, abIc-bodicd young man,
t@enty-four years old, and never
earned u penny in your life! You
might be ashamed Of yourself"
1'And you want to marry my daugL-
tel" resumed the old man, after a few
vigorous pufs at his pipe. "Now I've
given Molly Us good advantages for
aaarn,ng as girl could have, and she
hnsn't thrown 'cm away; but if she
didn't know how to work, she'd bo no
daughter of mine. If chose, could
keep more ssrvants; but l don't, no
more than l choose that my daughter
should be pale, spiritlcss creature,
full Of dyspepsia and all manner of
fne-lady ailments, instead of tue sni-
ling, bright oy ed, rosy-chcck lass she
is. dill say that she should marry
no lad that had been cursed with u
rich father; but she's taken foolish
liking TO you, and I'll tell ye what I'll
do. Go to work, and prove yourself to
sbe man; perfect yourself in some
Qecdpation-I don't eare what, so it
be Honest; then, comes to mo, and if
the girl is willing, she isyours."
As s.tHaseld man said this, he delib.
erately knocked the ashesput of his
Pipe againstQne of the pillars of the
porch whefs;ke was sitting, ,taylzed 1t
into his pookef'>spd went ihsss the
house, -
Pretty Mary Burton was waitines
Gee her lover down at the garden gat1
their usnal>trysting place. The smH
ling light faded from her eyes as she
noticed his sober, diecomftted. lock-.
"Father means weII," sho Said, at
Luke told her the result of his hppli-
cation. .s'And I'm not snre but wha1
he is about right" ,"'she resumed. after
a thoughtful pause; "for IL .sepms &
me that every man, be he rich OF. poor
ought to have some occupation"
- Then, as she noticed her lover
grave look, she added softly :-"Neve
mind; FL wait for you, Luke y :
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared
from his accustomed haunts, much +
j. the surprise Of. his gay associates
( Bnt, wherever no went, he CARRIE
with him in his exile these words, an
Wbioh WIRE Iilsea tower of strengt
TO his soul-"I'll wait for you, Luke
Que pleasant sunshiny morning
late in october, -ae Farmer Burto
was lsopping. up she grapevine in hi
front yards that threateped to brea
dowRNnh the, weighted it's laxu,
OPS 'bRfdshs sneat locking cart drov
up, from which Like Jordan alighte
! g :witha gaick, ,elastiosspripg, quite
contrast to his former easy, leisurel
movements:
* :sGopd morning, Mr.; Burton. / nj
-. derstood thatyou wanted to buy SON
.. .Bhtter.tobs aad cider barrels. I THU