The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1868-02-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
EARxIXG 4 WIFE.

AUu 30 tOu Auut W marty NY uaukuttri
Young man p said farnirr Blifkins rrnoSing hi,
pipe from bis mouth aud looking at the young
fellow from head 10 toe.
. Despite his rather indOlent, eiIrminaie air
which WIS mainly the result Of his education,
Luke Jordon was q 6ne-looking fellow, and moi
easil, moved from his self lfpossession but be col.
ored aud grew confused beneath that sharp scru
;inizing look
Yves, sir /; spoke to Miss Mary las, evening
aud sie-shc referred mc Ia YOU"
The old man 8 facV soiIentd. "Molly's good
girl-a very good girl" he said siroking his
chain with ihoughiiul air, and she deserves 8
good husband. What can you doI"
The young nan looked rather black at this
abrupt inquiry. "lf you refer 10 my ability tC
support u wife, ! eau Assure you"
~ know you are a rich man, Luke Jordon.
bui take il for grated that you ask my girl "a
marry you-n0t your property. What guarantee
can you give me in ease Il should lie swept away
--as IL Is in thousands Of instances that you
could provide for hcr comfortable heme? You
have hands and brains do you know how to use
tlirm Again ask, what can you do ~ This
was n style Of catcchism for which Luke was
quite unprcpared, and he stared blankly at the
questions without speaking
II believe you managed 10 get though college
have you any profession p
mo sir; thougbt-"
''llave you any trader
mo, sir father thought that. with wealth
I should inherit. should not need ant
'Your father ihought liz, n fool then. He'd
much better have given you some honest occupa-
ton, aud cut you Oh With "a shilling-ii might
have been the making Of you. Asitis, wha, are
you 81 for7 Here you are, n strong, ahle-bodied
young man, tweniy-four years old, and never
earned dollar ia your life. You ought 10 bs
ashamed Of yourself And you want TO marry
my daughter r. resumed the old man, after q
few vigorous puts at the pipe. snow, I've given
Molly as good advantages for learning as any
girl In town aud she hasn'i thrown 'em away;
but II she didn't know how TO work, she'd be
no daughter OF mnc. II ehosc, could keep
more than one servant; but don't no more than
choose that my daughter should lie pale spir-
itlcss creature, full Of dyspepsia and all manner
Of Enc.lady ailments, instead Of smiling bright
eyed, rosy checked lass she Is. did say that
she should marry no lad that had been cursed
with rich father but shc taking foolish H.
king TO ye, and III tell yc wha; I'll do: Go 20
work and prove yourself in some occupation
don't care what, so Il be honest then conc
10 me, aud u the girl is willing she Is yours.'-
AS The old man said this, he very deliberately
knocked the ashes ou, Of The pillars Of the porch,
where be was sitting, tucked II into his pocket,
and went into the house.
Pretty Mary Dlifkins was waiting to see her
lover down by the garden gate, their usual trys-
ting place The smiling light faded from her
eyes as she noticed his SOBER discomfittcd look.
"Faihsr means WE'LL" she said, as Luke told her
the result oi his application. And I'm not sure
but what he is about right, for II seems TO me
that every man. he he rich OF poor, ought have
some occupation Then, rs she noticed her
losrr's grave look, she added softly
Never mind; III wait for you, Luke
Luke Jordon suddenly disappeared from his
accustomed hauBis, much 10 the surprise OF his
gay associates. Hut. wherever he went, he car.
fied with him, 10 exile. these words, which were
like a tower of strength Ia his soul: "'ll wait
for you, Luke"
One, Pheasant sunshiny morning, late 10 de-
iober, as farmer Blifkius was propping up the
grapevine In bis front yard, that Threatened to
break down with the weight ofiis luxurious bur-
den, neat looking cart drove up, from which
Luke Jordon alighied with quick, elastic spring,
quite 10 contrast to his former easy, leisureiy
movements. Good morning, Mr. Blifkins.
understand that you wanted 10 buy some butter
tubs aud cider barrels. ! think have some here
that will jas, suit you.
"Whose make are they 2 inquired the old
man. as opening the gate, he paused By the
wagon.
. ''ilinr,' replied Luke, with M air Of pariona-
bic Pride; ''aad challenge any cooper In the
State 10 heat tnem."
Mr.. Biifkins examined them critically as ifaboui
10 buy one. They'll do" he said, cooiy. as he
o. down the last Of the lot. "whas win ye
take foF them.
"wha, asked you for six months ago 10 day
your daughter SIR"
The rogaish twinkle In the old mans eyes
broadcned into q smile. you've got the right
metal In you afler ALL he cried. Come 10,
lad--come In. shouldn't wonder u We made a
trade, afler ALL"
Nothing 10th obcyed.
''Nollyi'' bawlsd Mr.. Bliftins, lhrusting his
head into The kitchen door.
Molly irippcd out into entry The round white
arms were 6ared above the elbows, and bore
traces Of The -four she had been sihing. Her dress
was q neat gingham, over which was tied blue
checked apFos; but she looked A. winning aud
lovely as she always did wherever she was found
She blushed aud smiled as she saw Like, aud
then: iarning her eyes upon her father, waited,
dutifnlly, 10 hear what be had 10 say.
The old man regarded his daughter lor a mo.
ment with quikEical look. "Mslly, this young
man-may yhap you've seen hlul beiOrc--has
brought me = LOT Of tubs aud barrels, al Of his
own make-a right good article, too. lie asks .
pretty steep prizes for 'enl; but " you are willing
10 give u, well aud good; and bark ye, my girl,
whatever bargain you may nake your old father
will ralify." As NJ. Bllfkins said this. he con-
sideraiely stepped cut of the room, and We win
follow hls example. But The Kind Of bargain the
young couple made eau readily BE- conjeciuEed by
The wedding iha, very shortly followed.
Luke Jordon iurnsd his aiienlion ~ the study
Of medicine, ef which profession be became use
the auuivefsaFy oi bis marriage, be delights bis
faiher-ln-law hy soIne specimen u the handlerafs
BY which be Won What he declares 10 be ''the hesl
aud loNelinsi and slearnal Niln In lhe wtrld -