The Republican journal., 1869-07-01
HOW JACOB sTRAWN GOT A WIFE.

Many of our residents will undoubtedly re-
member Jacob Strawn, who lived in Jackson
vile, H., about TWENTY-FIVE or thirty years
ago Jacob died one of the very wealthiest
men in the state of which he had been & resi-
dent He was hog and cattle dealer, and has
been known to have in his possession as many
as 10000 head of each at one time Well, ia
cob lived to be thirty years Of age, and, up to
that time never had occasion to unite himself
to one of Ewes daughters. He was practi-
cal sort of a man, and never dreamed that such
a thing as marriage was possible while a per-
son was possessed of even moderate means.
However, at that agehe wasirch and, one day,
the conviction very naturally forced itself on
his mind that he should procure some one of
the opposite sex 10 enjoy his riches with him
Thirty years ago, in the section Of country
in which Mr.. Strawn lived, girls were not so
plenty as they are at present. In fact, it may
be said, they were ''like angels visits few and
far between But those who did reside nigh
into Jacksonville were as beautiful as the best
summer day is lengthy. Now, be it known,
him a sacred principle, and Notwithstanding
the circumstance that he was immensely
wealthy, and that the greater number of fami-
lies residing near him were poor. so far as his
feelings Went or even his actions, never did
he make a manifestation Of egOtism or self
pride.
Outside Of Jacksonville, a couple of miles
perhaps, there lived quite respectable fam
ily. This family employed a servant girl.
The maturity which the lapse Of eighteen
years produced was apparent in her face and
form. Like the great majority Of country
girls, She looked as though She was ever gaz-
ing upon roses and those roses We're rejecting
their beauty in her checks.
Graceful and neat in the extreme. and
possessing very fair share Of intelligence,
this servant girl was match for whomsoever
might take her unto himself Jacob saw this
flower and determined to possess it. To
transplant ii in his own house, to have it to
cheer, was the grand object to which he di-
rected his thoughts. He loved without ever
having spoken to his idol of his day thoughts
and dreams. Romance was something of
which Jacob had probably never heard, and
SO making love with him was like buying a
steer--a mere matter Of business. One day
he rode to the door of the residence ofthe fair
maid alighted from his horse and knocked
with the butt end of his whip The lady of
the house answered his summons, and imme-
diately upon her making her appearance,
Jacob asked for the servant girl.
The servant came. Said jacob: ~ want a
wife, and I've picked you out as the most
proper person Tor that position that can posi-
bly, find. I've never spoken to you before,
but then that makes no difference. I'll give
You one week to consider.'
The girl blushed and, and was dumb found
ed. Jacob mounted his horse and rode away
The girl inquired into Mr., Strawn's character
and standing, and was advised by those with
whom she lived to accept the offer of his hand
Punctually week after, Jacob rode up to the
door, knocked again with his whip and said :;
els it no or yesa"
Blushing, and while tears traced each other
down her rosy cheeks, the girl answered, in
low tone but quite distinctly:
''Yes"
"Well," says Jacob, lets see This is
Monday; we get married the day after to-
morrow, Wednesday. Here's some money to
buy a wedding outfit and he threw her a
purse containing thousand dollars The
couple did get married on Wednesday, and no
happier pair, during their lifetime, was to be
met with in the state of Illinois.