Weekly Trinity journal., 1869-12-04
NUMBER. 4S.
Earning . wife.

young mani" said farmer Bilkns, looking at the
young man sharply from head to toes.
Despite his rather indolent, effeminate air,
which was mainly the result of his education,
Luke Jordan was fne-looking fellow, and not
easily moved from his self-p0ssession but he
colored and grew confused beneath that sharp,
scrutinizing gaze.
eyes, sir; spoke to Miss Mary last night,
and she referred me to you."
The old mans face so{tened. Molly 10 .
good girl, very good girl, he said, stroking
his chin with a thoughtful air, ''and she de-
serves good husband. What can you do ?'
The young man looked rather blank at this
abrupt inquiry.
" If you refer to my ability to support wife,
can assure you"
81 know that you rich man, Luke Jor-
dan, 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, in thousands of instances, that
you would provide for her comfortable home?
You have hands and brains; do you know how
to use them What can you do?''
This was style of catechism for which Luke
was quite unprepared, and he stared blsnkly at
the questioner without speaking.
81 believe you managed to get through col
lege-have you any profession?'
mo, sir; thought"
Have you any trade?'
"No, sir; my father thought that with the
wealth l would inherit should not need any"
Your father thought like fool then. He'd
much better have given you some honest occu-
patton 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-five years old, and
never earned dollar in your life You ought
to be ashamed of yourself. And you want to
marry my daughter. Now, l have given Molly
as good advantages for learning as any girl in
town, and she hasn't thrown them away but if
she didn't know how to work, she'd be
daughter of mine. If l chose could keep moro
than one servant but don't, more than l
choose that my daughter should be pale, spir-
tless creature, full of dyspepsia all sorts Of fine
lady ailments, instead of the smiling, bright
eyed, rosy-cheeked that she is. did say that
she should not marry lad that had been cursed
with rich father, but she has taken foolish
liking to you, and I'll tell you what I'll do 60
to work and prove yourself to be a man perfect
yourself in some occnpation-I don't what,
if it is honest-then come to me- and if the girl
is willing, she is yours
As the old man said this be deliberately rose
from the settle of the porch and went into the
house.
lover down at the garden gate, their usual tryst-
place. The smiling light faded from her eyes as
she noticed his sober, discomfitted look.
Father means well, y she said, Luke told
her the result of his application sand Pm not
sure but he's about right, for it seems to me
that every man, rich poor, ought to have
some occupation"
Then as she noticed her lovers grave look,
she said softly: Z" Never mind, I'll wait for you,
Luke"
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared from his
accustomed haunts, much to the surprisv Of his
gay associates. But wherever he went he car
ried with him those words, which were like
Of u & yo.t fN-
Luke"
One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in Sep
tember, farmer Blkins was proppng up the
grapevine in his front yard that threatened to
break down with the weight of its luxurious bur-
den, neat-looking cart drove up, from which
Luke Jordan alighted with quick, elastic step,
quite in contrast with his formereasy, leisurely
movements.
"Good morning, Mr.. Bilkins. l understood
that you wanted to buy some butter-tubs and
cider barrels. think have some that will just
suit you.'
Whose make are they 2" asked the old man,
as opening the gate, he paused by the wagon.
sMine," replied Lake, with an air of pardon
able pride
Mr.. Blkins examined them one by one.
"Theyll do" he said, coolly, as he set down
the last of the lot. I" What will you take for
them?"
"What asked you for six months ago to-day
your daughter, SIR"
The rogush twinkle in the old mans eyes
broadened into smile.
You've got the right metal in you, after
ALL" he cried. g Come in, lad-come in. I
shouldn't wonder if we made trade after ALL"
Nothing 10th, Luke obeyed.
" Molly ~ bawled Mr. Bilkins, thrusting his
head into the kitchen door.
Molly tripped out into the entry. The round
white arms were barred above the elbows, and
Nf thn -clo E,I
Her dress was a neat gngham, which was
tied blue checked apron but she looked as
winning and as lovely AS she always did wher-
ever she was found.
She blushed and biushed, and smiled, as she
saw Luke, and then, turning her eyes upon her
father waited dutifuy to hear What be had to say.
The old man regarded bis daughter for mo-
ment with quizzcal look.
"Molly, this young man-mayhap you've seen
him before-has brought me lot of tubs and
barrels all of his own make-a right good arti-
Gle, too. He asks pretty steep price for em
but if you are willing to give it, well and good;
aud hark ye, my girl, whatever bargain you
make, your father will ratify.
As Mr. Bikius said this he considerably step
ped out of the room, and we will follow his ex-
ample But the kind of bargain the young cou-
pie made can readily be conjectnred by the
speedy wedding that followed.
luke Jordan turned bis attention to the study
OF medicine, OF Wnicn profession ne became
useful and influential member; but every year,
on the anniversary of his marriage, he delights
his mother-in-law with some specimens of the
handicraft by which he won what be declares to
be the best and dearest wife in the world.
AN EDrToR's AssEssMESr.-It does 4 bodv
good to have his pride fattered once in a while.
We realize the benefit of it once a year, when
the assessor comes round and asks how much
nQnD hare -.