The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1873-04-23
HOW HE EARNED HIS WIFE.
BY MARY GRACE LALPINE


mouth and looking at the young f,
low sharply, frcm head to toe.
Despite his rather indolent, effen
nate air, which was mainly the resu
of his education, Luke Jordan was
fine-looking fellow, and not easi
moved from his self-possession, b,
he colored and grew confused b
meath that sharp. scrutinizing look.
" Yes, sir, | spoke to Miss Mar
last evening, and she-she referre
me to you"
The old mans faced softened
" Molly is very good girl
very good girl" he said, stroking h
chin, with thoughtful air, and sh
deserves a good husband. Whs
can you do 2"
The young man looked ratht
blank at this abrupt inquiry.
"lf you refer to my ability to SUI
port wife, | can assure you"
"I know you are a rich man. LUX
Jordan, but | take it for granted yo
ask my girl to marry you, not you
property, What guarantee can yo
give me, in case it should be swer
away-as it is in thousands of instar
ces-that you could provide for he
a comfortable home? You hav
hands and braiEs-do you know ho,
to use them? Again | ask what ca
you do 2"
This was style of catechism 70
which Luke was quite unprepared
and he stared blankly at the ques
toner without speaking.
" believe you managed to ge
through college-have you any pre-
fession ~
No, sir / thought"
Have you any trade 2"
No, sir; my father thought that
with the wealth should inherit,
should not need any.
Your father thought like a fool
then. He'd much better have givel
you some occupation and cut you OF
with a shilling-it might have beel
the making of you As it is wha
are you fit for? Here you are,
strong, able-bodied man, twenty-fou
year old and never earned dolIa
in your life You ought to b,
ashamed of yourself.
And you want to marry m,
daughter" resumed the old man, af
ter few vigorous puffs at his pipe
Now, I've given Molly as good
advantages for learning as any cir
in town, and she hasn't thrown ZEN
away but if she didn't know how tC
work, she'd be no daughter of mine
If choose, | could keep more than
one servant but | don't no more
than / choose that my daughter
should be pale, spiritless creature
full of dyspepsia, and all manner o.
fine lady ailments, instead of the
smiling, bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked
lass she is. | did say that she should
marry no lad that had been cursed
with a rich father; but she's taken a
foolish liking to We, and, I'll tell ye
what I'll do; go to work, and prove
yourself a man perfect yourself in
some occupation-I don't care what,
so it be honast, then come to me, il
the girl is willing, she is yours"
As the old man said this, he delib.
erately Knocked the ashes out of his
pipe against one of the pillars of the
porch where he was sitting, tucked
it into his vest pocket and went into
the house.
Pretty Mary Blifkins was waiting
to see her lover, down at the garden
gate, their usual trysting place. The
light faded from her eyes as
she noticed his sober discounted
look.
" Father means WE'LL" she said. as
Luke told her the result of his appli-
cation. "And Pm not sure but what
he is right" and resumed, after a
pause, ''for it seems to me
every man, be he rich or poor, ought
to have some occupation"
Then, as she noted her lovers
grave look, she added, softly:
"Never mind, I'll wait for YOU
Luke"
Luke Jordan suddenly disappear
ID from his accustomed haunts,
much to the surprise of his gay asso-
,iates. But, wherever, he went, he
,arried with him, in his exile, these
words, and which were like q tower
If strength to bis soul: I'll wait for
you Luke"
One pleasant, sunshiny morning,
ate in October, as farmer Bilfkins
vas proping up the grape vine, in the
ront yard, that threatened to break
lown with the weight of its luxuri-
mt burden, neat cart drove up
rom which Luke Jordan alighted,
With quick, elastic spring, quite
contrast to his former easy, leisurely
Good morning, Mr.. Bilfkins, /
understand that you wanted to buy
ome butter-tubs and cider barrels.
Think / have some here that will suit
.ou.
Whose make are they ?" inquired
he old man, opening the gate, he
aused by the wagon
Mime" replied Luke, with an air
{ pardonable pride, and l challenge
ny cooper in the State to beat them. -
Mr.. Bilfkins examined them criti-
ally, one by one"
They'll do" he said cody, as he
ct down the last of the lot. what
ill you take for them ?"
"What | asked you for six months
60 to-day-your daughter, SIR"
The rougueish twinkle in the old
lan's eyes broadened into smile.
You've got the right kind of met
in you after all" he cried. Come
!, lad-come in; l shouldn't wonder
we made trade after ALL"
Nothing 10th, Luke obeyed.
"Molly ~ baWled Mr. Bilfkins !