Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1868-02-12
EARNING A WIFE.

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to toe.
Despite his rather indolent, effeminate
air. which was mainly the result of his ed
ucation, Luke Jordan was fine-looking
fellow, aud easily moved from his sefpos
session ; but he colored and grew confused
beneath that sharp, scrutiniz'ng look.
4" Yes, sir. l spoke to Miss Mary last
evening, and she-referred me to you"
The old mans face softened.
"Molly is a good girl, very good girl,
he said, stroking his chin, with thought
full air, and she deserves good husband.
What can you do ?"
The young man looked rather blank at
this abrupt inquiry.
d" If you refer to my ability to support a
wife, ! can assure you-"
81 know that you are rich man, Luke
Jordan but | take it for granted you ask
my girl to marry you, not your property
What guarantee can you give me, in case
it should be swept away-as it is in thon-
sands of instances-that you could provide
for her comfortable home? You have
hands and brains-do you know how to
use them? Again | ask, what can you
do?"
This was a style of catechism for which
Luke was quite unprepared, and he stared
blankly at the questioner without speak
ing
al believe you managed to get through
college-have you any profession Z"
L" No, sir; | thought"
Have you any trader
"No, sir; my father thought that, with
the wealth | should inherit, | should not
need any,"
"Your father thought like fool, then.
He'd much better have given you some
honest occupation and cut you off with a
shilling it might have been the making
of you. As it is, what are you fit for 3
Here you arc. strong, able bodied young
man, twcnty-four years old, and never
earned dollar in your life You ought
to be ashamed of yourself"
"And you want to marry my daughter"
resumed the old man, after a few vigorous
pufs at his pipe. snow, I've given Mol
| ly as good advantages for learning as any
! girl in town, and she hasn't thrown 'em
I
she'd be no daughter of mine. If choose
could keep more than ore servant, but |
don't no more than / choose that my
daughter should be a pale spiritless crea-
ture, full of dyspepsia and all manner of
fine lady ailments, instead of the smiling,
bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked lass she is.
| did say that she should marry no lad
! Il L IL .ol f,.lo
but she's taken foolish liking to ye, and
| II tell We what I'll do; 90 to work and
prove yourself to be man; perfect your
self in some occupation-l don't care what,
so it be honest; then come to me, and if
the girl is 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 standing, tucked it into his vest pock-
ct, and went into the house
Pretty Mary Biven was waiting to see
her lover down at the garden gate, their
usual trysting place. The smiling light
faded from her eyes as she noticed his So
Der, discounted look.
"Father means WE'LL as Luke told her
the result of his application.
"And I'm not sure but what he is about |
right, for it seems to me that every man,
be he rich or poor, ought to have some oc
cupation."
Then, as she noticed her lovers grave
look, she added softly:
"Never mind, I'll wait for you, Luke"
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared from
his accustomed haunt, much to the sur
prise of his gay associates. But, wherever |
he " ent, he carried with him IN his exile |
these words, and which were tower of
strength to his soul, III wait for you,
Luke"
One pleasant sunshiny morning, late in
October, as farmer BIlvens was propping
up the grapevine in his front yard, that
threatened to break down with the weight |
of its luxurious burden, a neat-looking cart |
drove up, from which Luke Jordan alight-
ed, with a quick, elastic spring, quite in
contrast with his former easy, liesurely
movements.
"Good morning, Mr.. BIivens, | under
stood that you wanted to buy some butter
tubs and cider.barrels. think | have
some that will suit you"
Whose make are they ?" inquired the
old man, as opening the gate he passed by
the wagon.
"Mine," replied Luke, with an air of
pardonable pride; and | challenge any
cooper in the State to beat them"
Mr.. Blivens examined them critically,
one by one.
"TheyI do, he said. coolly, as he set
down the last of the lot. What will you
take for them? ?"
"What l asked you for six months ago
to-day-your daughter, sir"
The rogush twinkle in the old mans
eyes broadened into smile.
"You've got the right metal in you af-
ter all" he cried "Come in, lad-come
in. shouldn't wonder if we made trade
after ALL
Nothing 10th, LIKE obeyed.
"Molly !" said Mr.. Blivens, thrusting
his head into the kitchen door.
Molly tripped out into the entry. The
round, white arms were bared above the
oIhou opd hora tracns of the Hour she I.