, 1868-11-27

!
ing the pipe from his mouth, and looking at
the young man sharply from head to foot.
Despite bis rather indolent, effeminats air,
which was mainly the result Of his education
Luke Jordan was a fne.lookiug fellow, and
Eol easily moved from his self-possession !;
but he colored and grew confused beneath
this sharp, scrutiuizing look.
Yes, sir. | spoke to Miss Mary last
evening, aud she--she referred me to you.
The old mans face softened.
Mary Is good Eiri, a very good GIRL"
he said. stroki6g BIS chic with thoughtful
air, and she deserves good husband.
What can you do 7"
The young man looked rather blank at
this abrupt inquiry.
"lf you refer to my ability to support a
wife, can assure you"
Z" know you are a rich man, Luke Jor,
dan, but take it for granted that you ask
my girl to marry you, not your property.
What guarantee can you give me, in case it
should be swept away-as in thousands of
lnstances-that you could provide for her
comfortable homel. You have hands and
brains-do you know how to use them?
Again ask you, what can you do ?"
This was style of catechism for which
Luke was quite unprepared, and be stared
blankly at the que,tiOns without speaking.
II believe you managed to get through
college-have you any profession
"No, sir; | thought"
e Have you any trade 7"
"NO, sir; my rather thought that with the
wealth should inherit l should not need
any"
Your father thought like fool then.
He'd much better have given you some hon
est occupation and cut you off with dollar
it might have been the making of you.
As it is. what are you fit for? Here you are
strong. abIe-bodied young man, twenty
four years old, and never earned dollar in
your life Aud you want to marry my
daughter resumed the old man, after a few
vigorous puts at his pipe. snow, I've given
Mary as good advantages for learning as any
girl in town, and she hasn't thrown them
away; but if she didn't know how to work
she'd be no daughter of mine. Ii chose,
could keep more than one servant, but |
don't; no more than chose that nv daughter
should be a pale, spirtless creature, full of
dyspepsia and all manner of fine lady all
ments, instead of the smiling, bright eyed,
rosy checked las. she 10 I-Ciid say that she
should marry no lad that had been cursed
with a rich father; but she's taken foolish
liking to you, and I'll tell you what I'll do
go to work aud prove yourself to be a man
perfect yourself in some occupation-I don't
care what, So it be honest then come to me,
and if the girl be willing, she is yours"
As the old man said this he deliberately
knocked the ashes out of his pipe against one
Of the pillars of the porch where he was sit
ting put it into his vest pocket, and went
into the house.
Pretty Mary Blifkins was waiting to see
her lover down at the garden gate, their
usual trystiug.place The smiling ligh: faded
from her eyes as she noticed the sober, dis
com6ted look
Father means well,' she said, as Luke
told her the result of his application. And
| am not sure but what he is about right
she resumed, after thoughtful pause Tor
it seems to me that every man, be he rich or
poor, ought to have somme occupation
TheD, as she noticed her lover 5 grave look,
she added, softly:
Never mind I'll 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, I'm wait for you, Luke
One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in
October, as Farmer Blifkius was prOpping up
the grapevine in his front garden, that
threatened to break down with the weight
of its luxurious branches, neat looking cart
drove up, from which Luke Jordan alighted
with quick, elastic spring, quite in contrast
to his former easy, leisurely movements.
Good morning, Mr. Blifkins. l under
stand that you wanted to buy some cider
barrels. l think have some here that will
just suit you
Whose make are iheyP inquired the
old man, as, opening the gate, he paused by
the wagon.
Mine,' replied Luke, with an air Of par
donable pride and challenge any cooper
to beat them.'
Mr.. Blifkins examined them critically, one
by one.
They'll do he said, coolly. as he sat
down the last of the lot What will you
take for them p
What l asked you for six months ago tor
day-your daughter, sir
The roguish twinkle in the old mans eyes
broadened into smile.
You've the right metal in you, after all,
he cried. Come in, lad-come in.
shouldn't wonder if we made trade, after all
Nothing 10th, Luke Obeyed.
Mary tripped out into the entry. Her
round, while arms were barred above The
elbows, and bore traces of the flour she had
been sitting.
Her dress was neat gingham, over which
was tied blue checked apron but she
looked as winning and lovely as she always
did wherever she was found.
She blushed and smiled as she saw Luke,
and then turning her eyes upon her father.
waited, dulifully, to hear what he had to say.
The old man regarded his daughter for