The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-12-05
Earning A Wife.

There is almost as much common sense
as romance in the following sketch, and for
that reason our readers will pardon US for
the inAiction of love story
And so you want to marry my daughter,
young man ?" SAID farmer Bilkins looking
at the young fellow sharply from head to
toes.
Despite his rather indoIent, effeminats
air, which was mainly the result of his edu-
cation, Luke Jordan was a fne-looking fell
low, and not easily moved from his selEpos-
session; but he colored and grew confused
beneath that sharp, scrutinizing gaze.
Yes, sir; l spoke to Miss Mary last
night, and 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 a thoughtful
air, and she deserves a good husband
What can you do 2?
The young man looked rather blank at
this abrupt inquiry.
If you refer to my abilities to support
wife, / can assure you
" l know that you are a rich man, Luke
Jordan, but l take it for granted that you
ask my girl to marry yOlt, 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 home? ou have hands and
brains-do you know how to use them
What can you doY'
This was a style of catechism for which
Luke was quite unprepared, and he stared
blankly at his questioner without speaking.
j believe you managed to get through
college-haVe you any profession p
mo, sir; l thought"
IL,
| No, sir; my father thought that with the
wealth l should inherit 1 should not need
any"
Your father thought like a fool then.
He'd much better have given you some hon
| est occupation and cut you off with a shil-
Hng--it might have been the making of you.
As tits, what are you fit for Here you are,
a strong, able-bodied young man, twenty
| four years old, and never earned a dollar In
your life You ought to be ashamed of
! yourself And you want to marry my
| daughter. Now, I've given Molly as good
advantages for learning as any girl in town,
and she hasn't thrown EN- away but if she
didn't know how to work she'd be no daugh-
| ter of mine If | choose, could keep more
than one servant; but / don't, no more than
/ choose that my daughter should be pale,
| spiTitless creature, full of dyspepsia, and all
| sorts Of fine lady ailments, instead Of the
smiling, brighteyed, rosy-cheeked lass she
/ is. l did say that she should not marry a
! lad that had been cursed with a rich father
| but she has taken a foolish liking to you, and
! / Il tell you what I'll do 90 to work, and
! prove yourself to be a man perfect your
self in some Occupation-I don't care what,
/ if it is honest-then come to me, and, if the
girl is willing she is yours"
As the old man said this he deliberately
rose from the settle of the porch and went
/ into the house.
Pretty Mary Bilkins was waiting to see
| her lover down at the garden gate, their
usual trystingplace. The smiling light faded
| from her eyes as she noticed his sober, dis
| comfted look
Father means vel" )" she said, as Luke
told her the result of his application. And
I'm not sure but he's about right, for II
| seems to me that every maB, rich or poor,
ought to have some occupation.
| Then, as she noticed her lovers grave
| look, she said softly
Never mindful 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 those words which
were Ike a tower of strength TO his soul:
"Ill wait for you Luke.
One pleasant, sunshiny morning late IN
October, as farmer Bilkins was prOpping uI
the grapevine in his front yard that threat
ened to break down with the weight of its
luZrious burden, neat looking cart drove up
from which Luke Jordan alighted with q