Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-12-19
EARNING A WIFE.
From tic chronological journal

toes.
Despite h'srather 10 doient, 9 Terminate air,
waich was mainly the resul. Of his educa-
tion. Luke Jordan was dne lookipg fellow,
and not easily moved from HE sell posses
sicni but he colorsd AID grsw confused
beneath that sharp, sc,utiniziog g.z..
"fes, sir spoke TO Miss Mary last
night, and she referred mo to yeu.'
The old MAS face so,.ensi.
"M,ily Is = good girl, very good girl"
he said, stroking his chin with thou h,ful
air, "apd she deserves . good husband.-
What can you do Z"
The young man locked rather blank At
this abrupt isquisy.
If yoa refer TO my ability to support .
wife, | cen aa1ure you
kaos that you are rich man, Luts
Jordan, but ! take il fer granted that yeu
ask my girl 70 marry you, and not ysur
propsrty. What guarantee can yeu give
os, in case il should be swept away, 40 In
thousands Of Instances, that You would pro.
vide for her . Comfortable home You
have hand and brains do you know how to
use thsmi What can you do,
This WAS . style of catschism for which |
Luke was quite unprepared. and he stared |
Oiauhiy - uuvotiOuGt hltuOut BDoohli z |
Il believe you managed to get through
college~-have you any professiod :"
NO, sir; thought
Have you anv trade, -
"NO, sir; my father thought that with
the wealth l should inherit I should no,
need any"
Your father thought like fool, then.
He'd much better have given yeu some
honest occupation and cut you oil With .
shifting; Il might have been the making Of
you. Az it 10, what are you 1T fory Here
ysu are, . strong. able bodied young man.
twsnty-iour ysars old, sad never earned .
dsllsr In your life! You ought to be Ashamed
/ Of yourself. Aud yeu want 10 marry my
dsue liter. Nov, have given Molly - coed
advantage for learning % any girl 10 town,
aud she hasn't thrown them away; but il
she ddn't knew how 70 work, she'd bs no
laughter Of mine. II obese ! could keep
more than one servant, bu, don't. no mere
Than chose that my daseh should be .
pale, spiritlsss creature. full Of dyspepsia,
al forts u tho flas lady ailments, instead
Of the emitting, bright eyed, rosy checked
isss she 10. did say that she shouid no,
marry . LED thst had bsen cursed with
rich father. but she has taken . foolish
liking 70 you, and III tell you what IN do;
Go TO work and prove yourself to bs = man.
perfect younelf some oecupaten-l don't
| care what, " II 10 hsnsst-thsn como to me,
and if the gill is willing. she is yours"
AZ 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 ~ the garden gate, their
| usual trysting place. The smiling light
faded FROM her g, es Is she noticed his So
Der, discomfited look.
Father means well, she said, ~ Luke
told her the result Of his application. And
I'm not sure out he's about right, for it
/ .eeins TO ms that every man, rich or poor,
/ ought to have some occupation.
Then. rs she noticed her lovers grave
look. she sad softly
Never mind, I'll wait for you, Lake"
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared from
his accustomed haunts. much 10 the sur
prise Of his gay associates. But wherever
ne went he carried with him those words
which were like a tower Of strength 20 his
soul I'm wait for you, Luke
/ One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in
October, AS farmer Bilkns was proppiog up
the grape vinc in his front yard, that
threatened to break down with tho weight
Of the luxurious burden. . neat looking cart
lrove up, from which Luke Jordan alight-
ed. with quick, elastic step, quite in con
rast with his formerly easy, lsisursly
movements.
''Good morning, Mr.. Bilkins l under
| tubs and cider barrels. I think | have
L aana IN mat s,,,t IAN
"Whsse make are they Z" asked the
old man, -, opening the gate. he panssd
| ~ the wagon.
Mime replied Luke. with an air Of
| pardonable pride.
Mr.. Bilkins examined them ono BY enc.
Thsll do he sa d. coolly. ~ be Sc,
down the last OF the lot. "What will you
| take for themi"
What | asked you for them ak months
ago to-day-your daughter sir"
The rcsush twinkle II the old mans
| eyes broadensd into . smile.
You've got the right metal in you, after
all, be cried. "Ceme in, lad-co,ne in.
| shouldn't wonder i VIC made a trade
| after all"
Nothing 10th. LIKE obeycd.
| molly bawled Mr.. Bilkins, thrust.
lag his head into the kitchen door.
Molly tripped GU, into the entry. The
| round White arms were barred above the
| elbows. and bore traces of the -four she
ha been s,fins. Her dress was a nea,
glrglam, over which was tied q bue
| che ked apron but she locked winning
| and rs lovely ms shs always did wherever
| she was found.
She blushed, and blushed, and SUI lied,
- che saw Luke. and then, turning hor
| eyes upon her father, waited dutifuly to
hear what he had to say.
The old man regarded his daughter for a
moment with quizzical look.
"Moll. this young man-msyhap you've
| seen him before-has brought me . lot Of
tubs and barrels, all Of his own make
right gsed article too. He asks . pretty
| steep price for EN-, bat il ysu are willing to
give it, well and good and bark ye, my
girl, whatever bargain you make, your
father will ra,ify.'
A Mr.. Bilkius sid this he considerstsly
stepped out Of the room, and We will follow
his example. But the kind Of bargain the
Young people made can readily 10 conjsc.
tured by tho speedy wedding that folio we'd
Luke Jordan turned his attention to the
| study Of medicine. Of which profession he
became . useful and influential member
but every year, on the anniversary Of his
| marriage, he delights his mother in Law
with some specimens OF the handicraft BY
which he won wha, he declares to be the
best and dearest wife in the world.
How she Artist Eilless Reform.
The curse Of the late portrait painter
Elliott We drink and his friend, and fell
sw-drinker, probably, E. Edwards Lester,
thas, tells In Havper bow he took "ths
pledge one day last spring:
| found him down ia the saloon. He
had been drinking more than usual. But
mis- head Was clear and his heart overflow
ing With the richsst and most generous hu-
manity. lie was alone. He listened for .
few moments, and then putting his hand
on my shoulder, said with desp and ten
der vsics MY dear l., don't want
70 talk art ts-nay--I want to speak Of
something grea, deal bigger than that 1
must step drinKirg. have though, il ali
over. You know all about this business. |
want 70 take the pledge. Can't you give
10 me as . irierds IL viii b. better 30 =