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

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daughter, young man. said farmer
Bilkins, looking at the young man
sharply from head to toes.
Despite his rather indolsnt, 4 ef-7
Terminate air, which 'Tas mainly the
result Of his education, Luke Jordon
was a fine looking fellow, and not
easily moved from his self-possession;
but he colorcd and grew confused
ben neath that sharp, scrutinizing
gaze.
Yes, sir; I spoke to Miss Mary
last night, and she referred me to
you
The old mans face softened.
Molly is a good girl, = very good
GIRL he said, stroking his chin
with . thoughtful air, and she de-
serves q good husband. What can
you do?'
The young man looked rather
blank at this abrupt4inquiry. +
/ If you refer to my abilities to
support a wife, l can assure YOU
i know that you are rich man,
Luke Jordon, but I take it for
granted that you ask my girl to
marrJ you. and not yours property.
What guarantee can you give me.
in case it should be swept away,asis
is in thousands of instances, that you
could provide for her 4 comiorta ble
home? You. nave hands and brains;
do you know how to use them: What
can you do:' .aa14 '1' 10 ''1'
This was style of catcchism for
which Luke was quite nnprepared,
land he stared blankly at the ques-
tioaer without speaking.
Il believe you managed to get
through college-have you any pro-
fession?'
NO, sir; I thorg ght-
Have you any trader
NO, sir; my father thought that
with the wealth should inherit /
should not need any 81 .'.
| Your father thought like fool,
then. He'd much better havc-giv.
en- you some honest occupation and
cut you of with shilling-it might
have been the making Of yeu. AS
it is what arc you fit for? Here you
are, a strong, ablc-bodied young
man, twonty-four years Of age, and
never earned dollar in your life!
w. sS-.. :s'.. =. :. =; :: ASHAMED Of your.
self. And y,: want to marry my
daughter. Now, + haysI given Molly
as good advantages for learn,:.s. 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 servant.
but l don't, no more than | chose
that my daughter should be pale,
Ispiritless creature, full Of dyspep-
sia, all sorts of fne lady ailments,
instead Of the smiling. bright-eyed,
rosy-cheekcd lass she is. ! did say
that she should not marry lad that
had hecn cursed with a rich father;
but she has taken 4 foolish,liking o
you, and I'll tell you what I'll do !:
Go 10 work, and prove yourself to
lie a man; perfect yourself in some
occupation-I don't care what if it
is honest-thcn 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 wentinto the house,
Pretty Mary Bilkins was waiting
to see her lover down at the garden
gate, their usual trystiug place.
The smiling light faded from her
eyes as she, noticed his sober, dis
com6ted look. o.
! Father means we'll, she said, as
i, Luke told her the result Of his ap-
plica,i.n And I'm not sure but
he's about, right, sr it seem. to me
that every man, rics or paor, ought
to have some occupation
Then, she noticed her lovers gra71e
look. she said. softly:
Never mind, I'll Hait 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, neat-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.
Nine replied Luke. with an air
Of pardonable pride.
Mr.. Bilkins examined them one
BY one.
They'll do he said coolly, as be
set down the last Of tho lot. What
will you take for them!' - IL