The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1869-01-01

| ANU 81 W" """' w Duiy my
daughter, young man. said farmer
Bilkins, looking at the young man
sharply from head to toes.
Despite his rather1 indolent, (, of-
Terminate air, which vas mainly the
| result Of his education, Luke Jcrdon
was a fine looking fellow, and not
easily moved from his self-possession;
but he colorcd and grew confused
beneath that sharp, scrutinizing
gaze.
Yes, sir; I spoke to Miss Mary
last night, and she referred me to
you
Tic old man face softencd.
Molly is a good girl, a very good
GIRL he said, stroking bis chin
with . thoughtful air, and she de-
serves a good husband. What can
you ao?'
The young man : looked rather
blank at this abruptainquiry.@ T.
/ If you refer to my abilities to
support a wife, l can assure you
L know that you are a rich man,
Luke Jordon, but I take it for
granted that you ask my girl to
marry You! and not your, property.
What guarantee can you give me.
in case it should be swept away, as is
is in thousands of inst that you
could provide for her q comfortable
home? You have lands and brains;'
do you know how to use them: What
can you do?' .@9i3 'a' .' ssa'
This was a style of catechism for
which Luke was quite unprepared,
and he stared blankly at the ques-
toner without speaking.
T. Il believe you managed to get
through college-have you any pro-
fession?' ..
| No, sir; I thorght-
4 Have you any trade?'
No, sir; my, father thought that
with the wealth I should inherit /
should not need any '3-'"
| Your father thought like fool,
| thcn. He'd much better haye-giv-
en- you some honest occupation and
cut you of with a shilling-it ght
have been the making Of you. AS
it is what arc you fit for? Here you
are, strong, ablc-bodied young
man, twonty-four years Of age, and
lever earned dollar in your life!
W.. s g.: y. ~ :. - ASHAMED Of your
self. And y,s want to marry my
daught.r. Now, I have given Molly
as good advantages for learn,:s. a 5
any girl in town, and she hasn't
thrown EN- away; but if she didn' t
know how to works she'd be no
daughter of mine. If I chose, I
could keep more than one servant.
but l don't, no more than | chose
that my daughter should be a pale,
spiritless creature, full of dyspcp-
STA, all sorts of tine lady ailments,
instead Of the smiling. bright-eyed,
rosy checked lass she is. ! did say
that she should not marry lad that
had hecn cursed with a rich father;
but she has taken a foolish liking to
you, and I'll tell you what I'll do !:
| Go 10 work, and prove yourself to
be man; perfect yourself in some
occu pation-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 de-
liberately 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 trysting place.
The smiling light faded from her
eyes as she. noticed his. sober, dis
comfited look. @
I Father means we'll, she said, as
Luke told her the result Of his ap-
plica,i.n And I'm not sure but
he's about right, fr it seem. to me.
that every man, ricss or poor, ought
to have some occupation.
Then, she noticed her lovers gra;e
look, she said. softly:
| Never mind, I'll MATT for you,
Luke
Luke Jordon 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
like . tower Of strength to his soul:
'pll wait for you, Luke"
One pleasant, sunshiny morning,
late in October, as farmer Bilkins
was propping up the grapevine in
his front yard, that threatened to
break down with the luxurious bur
den, ncat-looking cart drove up.
from which Luke Jordan alighted
with quick, elastic step, quite in
contrast with his formerly easy,
leisurely movements.
Good mornin, Mr.. Bilkins. I
understood that you wanted to buy
some butter tubs and cider barrels.
| think [ have some that will just
suit you.
Whose make are they?' asked
the old man, as, opening the gate,
he paused by the wagon.
Mine, replied Luke, with On air
of pardonable pride.
MIR. Bilkins exansiucd them one
! By one.
They'll do, he said coolly, as be
set down the last of the lot. What
will you take for than!'