The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-08-05
EBENsBURG PA, THURSDAY AUGUST 5, 1869.
How Jacob stravyn go. a wife.
Many of our residents will undoubtedly

Many Of our residents will undoubtedly
remember Jacob Strawn, VINO lived in
Jacksonville, Ill, about twenty-five or
thirty years ago. Jacob died one OF the
very wealthiest men In the State of which
he had been resident He was a hog
ard cattle dealer, and has been known to
have in his possession as many as so, 900
head of each at one time. Well, Jacob
lived to be thirty years of age, and up to
that time never mad occasion to unite
himself to one of Ewes daughters. He
was a practical sort of man and never
dreamed that such thing as marriage
was possible while a person was possessed
of even moderate means. However, at
that age he was rich, and one day the con
viction very naturally forced itself on his
mind that he should procure some one of
the opposite sex TO enjoy his riches with
him.
Thirty years ago, in the section of
country in which MIR. Strawn lived, girls
were not SO plenty as they are at present.
In fact, it may be said, they were like
''angels visits, few and far between."-
sonyilie were as beautiful as the longest
day in summer is lengthy. Now, be it
known, Jacob was patrician. DemoN
cracy was with him sacred principle,
and Notwithstanding the circumstance that
he was immensely wealthy, and that the
greater number Of families residing near
him were poor, so far as his feelings went,
or even his actions, never did he make
manifestation Of egotism or selfpride
Outside Of Jacksonville, a couple of
miles perhaps, there lived quite a respect>
able family. This family employed
servant girl. The maturity which the
lapse of eighteen years produced was ap-
parent in her face and form. Like the
great majority Of country girls, she looked
as if che was ever gazing upon roses and
those roses were rejecting their beauty in
her checks.
Graceful and neat in the extreme, and
possessing a very fair share Of intelligence,
this girl was a match for whomsoeyer
might take her unto himself. Jacob saw
this flower and determined to possess it.
To transplant it into his own house, to
have it to cheer, was the grand object to
which he directed his thoughts. He loved
without ever having spoken to his idol of
his day thoughts and dreams. Romance
was something of which Jacob had prob
ably never heard, and so making love
with him was like buying a steer--a mere
matter of business. One day he rode to
the door OF the residence of the fair maid,
alighted from his horse and knocked with
the butt end Of his whip The lady of the
house answered his summons, and imme-
diately upon her making her appearance,
Jacob asked for The servant girl.
The servant girl came. Said Jacob /:
81 want a wife, and I've picked you out
as the most proper person for that position
that l can possibly find. I've never spo-
ken 10 you before, but then shat makes no
difference. I'll give you one week to con-
slider"
The girl blushed, and was dumbfoun-
ded. Jacob mounted his horse and rode
away. The girl inquired in regard to Mr.
Strawn's character and standing, and was
advised by those with whom she lived to
accent the offer Of his hand Punctually,
a week after, Jacob rode up to the door,
knocked again with his whip, and said
els it 10 or yes?'
BIushingly, aud while tears traced each
other down her rosy cheeks, the girl an
swered, in low tone, but quite distinctly:
s'Yes''
"WelI," said Jacob, s'let's see; this is
Monday; we get married the day after to-
morrow, Wednesday. Here's some money
to buy wedding outfit" and he threw
her purse containing thousand dollars.
The couple did get married on Wednes-
day, and no happier pair, during their life
time, was to be met within the State of
Illinois.