Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1871-01-19
EARNING A WIFE.

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"And so you want to marry my
daughter, young man." said Farmer
Burton, removing the pipe from his
mouth, and looking at the young
fellow sharply from head to toe.
Despite his rather indolent, eff
Terminate air, which was mainly the
result of his education. Luke Jor-
dan was fine looking fellow, and
not easily moved from his self-pos
session; but he colored and grew
confused beneath that sharp, scru-
tinizing look.
"Yes, sir. Ispoke to Miss Mary
last evening, and she-she referred
me to you"
The old mans face softened.
"Molly is a good girl, a very
good girl" he said, stroking his chin
with thoughtful air, 'and she de-
serves good husband. What can
you do?"
The young man looked rather
blank at this abrupt inquiry.
eff you refer to my ability to
support wife, 1 can assure you"
I know that you are well off,
Luke Jordan, but I take it for
granted that you asked my girl to
marry you, 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 comfortable
home? You have hands and brains
do you know how to use them!
Again 1 ask, what can you do?"
This was style of catechism for
which Luke was quite unprepared,
and he stared blankly at the ques-
toner without speaking.
q believe you managed to get
through college-have you any pro-
fessionY"
"No, sir; I thought"
Have you any trader
"No, sir. My father thought
that, with the wealth. L snOulu III
herit, 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 good for? Here you
are, strong, able-bodied young
man, twenty-four years old, and
never earned a penny in your life!
You might be ashamed of your
self"
"And you want to marry my
daughter" resumed the old man,
after a few vigorous puffs at his
pipe. ''Now I've given Molly as
good advantages for learning as a
Girl could have. and she hasn't
thrown 'em away; but if she didn't
know how to work, she'd be no
daughter of mine. If 1 chose, l
could keep more servants; but l
don't. no more than l choose that
my daughter should be a pale, spir-
itiess creature, full of dyspepsia and
all manner of fine lady ailments, in
stead of the smiling, bright-eyed,
rosy cheek lass she is. | did say
that she should marry no lad that
had been cursed with rich father;
but she's taken a foolish liking to
YOU, 1 know. Go to work. and
prove yourself to be man; perfect
Yourself in some occupation-1 do
not care what, so it be honest; then,
come to me, and, if the girl is will
ing, she is yours"
As the old man said this, he de-
liberately knocked the ashes out of
his pipe against one of the pillars OF
the porch where he was sitting,
tucked it into his pocket, and went
into the house.
Pretty Mary Burton 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 soler, discounted
look.
Father means well" she said, as
Luke told her the result OF his ap-
plication. '.And I'm not sure but
what he is about right" sheresumed,
after thoughtful pause; "for it
seems to me that every man, be he
rich or poor, ought to have some oc-
cupation."
Then, as she noticed her lovers
grave look, she added softly. "Nev-
er mind; I'll wait for you, Luke"
Luke Jordan suddenly disap-
peared from his accustomed haunts,
much to the surprise of his gay as
sociates. But, wherever he went,
he carried with him in his exile
these words, and which were like a
tower of strength to his soul-"Tll
wait for you, Luke"
One pleasant sunshiny morning
late in October, as Farmer Burton
was propping mp the grape vine in
his front yard, that threatened to
break down with the weight of its
luxurious burdens, a neat looking
cart drove up, from which Luke
Jordan alighted with a quick, elast
ic spring, quite in contrast to his
former easy, leisurely movements.
GOOD morning, Mr.. Burton.
understood that you wanted to buy
some butter tubs and cider barrels
l think l have some here that viii
just suit you"
"Whose make?" inquired the ole
!. man.
e Mine," replied Luke, with al