Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1869-03-11
EARNING 4 WIFE.

And so you want to marry my d'ugh-
ter, young man p said farmer B,lklns,
looking at the young fellow sharply from
head to toes
DESPITE his rather indolcnt, effemInatc
mir, which was mainly the result of his
education, Luke Jordon was fine look
ing fellow, and no. easily moved from his
sclf-posscs~ion but he colorcd and grew
confused beneath that sharp, scrutluzins
gaze,
Yes, sir l spoke to Miss Mary last
night, and rhc referred me to you"
The old mans face softencd
"Molly i. a good girl, very good
,irl," ," he said, stro3ing his chin with a
/ Thoughtful air. '.aud She deserves 4 good
husband What can you do 2
The young man looked rather blank at
this abrupt inquiry.
III you refer to my abilities to support
a wife, can assure
Il know that you are rich man, Luke
Jordan, but 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 it is in thousands of Instances,
that you could provide for her comforta
bic home You have hands and brains
do you know how to use them What
can YOU do =
This vas a style of ca;cchsm for which
Luke was quite unprepared. and he star
cd blaudly at tho questloaer without
speaking.
/ i elievo You managed to get through
coll rgc-havc you any profession Z
NO. sir l thought
"lIave you any trade -
No. sir my f-thcr thought that with
the wealth | should inherit, should not
need any"
y our fathcr thought like fool, then.
He'd much better havo given you some
honest occupation and cut you oil with a
shilliug-it NIGH, have been the making
of YOU As il is. what are you ht for =
Here YOU are. u strong, able bodied young
man, twenty -four years old, and never
earned dollar in your litc You ought
TO be ashamed of yourself And you want
to marry my daughter. Now. have
gwen Molly as good advantages .or learn
,ag, as any girl in town, and she hasn
thrown them away bu: II $40 ia ut
know how to work. shed 10 no dau5 hter
of mine. If choose could keep more
than one servant but | don't, no more
than choose that my daughter should
be pale, spiritless crca ;ure, iuiI OF oys-
pepsia. and all sorts OF the lady ailments
instead OF the smiling, bright eyed, rosy
checked lass she s | did say that she
should not marry lad that had been cur
sed with a rich father, but she has taken
4 foolish liking for YOU. and III tell You
what Ill do Go TO work, and prove
yourself TO be n man ; perfect yourself IN
some occupatiou-l dou't care what, /; It
IS honcst-thcn como to me, aud II the
gnl is willing, she is yours.
As the cid man said tbs nc deliberate
IL rose from the sctiee OF the porch aud
went INTO the house.
Pretty Mary Blikins was waiting 10
see her lover aown ut the garden gate
their usual trysting place, 1no sm'lInG
hight faded irum her eyes as she noticed
his sober, discomflted look.
Father meaus well, she said, as
Luke told her tie result oI MS apl Ilca'lVu. 9.
And I'm not sure but hes about right,
for 1t seems 10 me that every man, rich
or poor, ought . have some occupa-
ton
/ Then. as she noticed her lovers grave
look, She SAID, sotly
"N,vcr mud, III wait for you, Luke y
Luke jordan suddenly disappeared
from hI. accustomed hauutS mulh 10 The
surprise OF his gay associates, But wher-
ever he went. he carried with Llm those
vorGs wA,cu were hAo a tower OF strength
TO his SOU. III wait for you, Luke.
One pleasant, SuAsAlny morning, late
in October, rs farmer BiIAiuS was prop
ping up the grapevine IN MS iront yard
;bat threatened TO break down WITH tie
we,aLt OF its luxurious burden, neat
looking cart drove up, from which Luxe
.Iordon anshted WIKI a quick elastic step,
quite IN contrast wltA Is formerly easy
l>isury n vcucpts