North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1869-05-12

Earning . wife.
Sand 20 you want to marry my daugh.
ter, young man ~ said farmer Bilkins,
looking at the young fellow sharply from
head to toes.
Despite his rather indolent, effepinate
air, which was mainly the result of his
education, Luke Jordan was ne-looking
fellow, and not easily moved from his self
possession but he colored and grew
confused beneath that sharp, scratinising
gaze.
"Yes, sir; spoke to Miss Mary last
night, and she referred me to you."
| The o!d mans face softened.
"Molly is good girl, very good girl"
he said, stroking bis chin with his thought.
full air, "and she deserves good husband,
What can you do7"
The young man looked rather blank at
this abrupt inquiry.
''If you refer to my abilities to support
. wife, / can assure you"
81 know that you are a rich man, Luke
Jordan but take it for granted that you
ask my girl to marry you, not your pro-
pertY. What guarantee can you give me,
in case it should lie swept away, as it is in
thousands Of instances, that you could pro-
vide for her comfortable home? You
have hands and brains--do you know how
to use themg What can you do p
This was style of catechism for which
Luke was quite unprepared, and he stared
blankly at the questioner without speak.
ing.
~ believe you managed to get through
college-have you any profession
"No, sir /; / thought"
"IIave you any trade 7''
"No, sir; my father thought that with
tho wealth should inherit 1 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
shilling--it might have been the making
Of you. As it is, what are you fit for?
Here you are, a strong, able-bodied young
man, twenty-four years old, and never
earned dollar in your life You ought
to be ashamed of yourself. And you want
to marry my daughter. Now, I've given
Molly IS good advantages for learning as
any girl in town, and she hasn't thrown
'em away but if she didn't know how to
work, she'd be no daughter of mine. IF
chose, / could keep more than one serv-
ant; but don't, no more than choose
that my daughter should be pale, spirit
less creature, full of dyspepsia, and all
sorts of fine lady ailments, instead of the
smiling, bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked lass she
is. did say that she should not marry
lad that had been cursed with rich faith
er; but she has taken a foolish liking for
y,u, and I'll tell you what I'll do go to
work, and prove yourself to be man
| perfect yourself in some oceupation-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 Billkins 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 well,' she said, "a Luke
told her the result of his application.
'.And I'm not sure but he's about right;
for it seems to me that every man, rich or
poor, ought to have some occupation"
Then, as she noticed her lovers grave
look, she said softly,
"Never ind,-I'll wait for you, Luke"
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared from
his accustomed haunts, much to the SUR
prise of his gay associates. But wherever
he went, he carried with him those words
which were like tower of strength to his
soul, "I'll wait for you, Luke"
One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in
October, as farmer Bilkins was proppiDg
up the grapevine in his frontyard, that
threatened to break down with the weight
of its luxurious burden, neat-looking cart
drove up, from which Luke Jordan alight-
ed with quick, elastic step, quite in con.
trast with his former easy, leisurely move
ments.
"Good morning, Mr.. Bilkins. under
stood that you wanted to buy some butter
} tubs and cider-barrels. l 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 an air of
pardonable pride.
Mr.. Bilkins examined them one by one.
"They'll do," he said coolly, as he set
down the last of the lot. What will ye
take for them?''
"What l asked you for six months ago
to.day-your daughter, SIR"
The rogaish twinkle in the old mans
eyes broadened into smile.
you've got the right metal in you,
after ALL" he said. "Come in, lad-come
in. l shouldn't wonder if we made trade,
after ALL"
Nothing 10th, Luke obeyed.
'Molly I" bawled Mr.. Bilkins, thrusting
his head into the kitchen door.
Molly tripped out into the entry. The