Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-03-30
Johns Choice.

Peter Jansen was q wealthy and eccentric
New England farmer.n The owner In fee SIM
| pie Of many broad and fertile acres Vf availa-
bie land, and the proud parent Of q very prom
ising son, near grown, who In bis infancy had
| been designated by the not altogether unheard
| Of nams Of john.
| Now John Jansen had been brought up In
very careful and proper manner, and IL was
therefore not to be wondered At that ,as he grew
more mature, that he was regarded as q very
exemplary young man by those who knew him
intimately. II
He was sober and industrious. In his habits,
cultivated and refined In his tastes, with dispo-
sition TO get along and prosper in the world, ~
| his father had done before him. rt
But the time came when he was one and
twenty. This Is a remarkable episode IN the
lives OF most young men, when fully freed from
parental restraint by the construction Of the
law, they think they know SO much, and sub
sequently learn that they know so little.
Now possibly Peter, the peer, regarded this
event in bis sons life with as great concern as
John, the Junior, for certain IL Is, that shortly
thereafter he summoned the young man into
his presence for little private conversation.
well, john he said, how does 1t seem to be
one and twentyp'
Seem why can't see as 1t seems any diff
ferent from any other times
Can't, ehP o, well you'll see quick enough
1 guess. | suppose the next thing you'll be
lhinkingof will bs getting married.
20, hadn't thought of such thing yet in
earnest
J Hadn't, eh ? well, you'd better be thinking
getting married is about as important thing
i ASH ever happen TO you.'
YES suppose So
Suppose so? suppose so? you.' know 80 by and
. by. Wel, John, you're old enough to begin
to think seriously about this matter. aln't
going to have you running around unsettled,
and unsteady In your habits and character
Now the quicker you pick you out wife and
settle down, the better. Mind you, my boy,
this wasting three or four OF the best years OF
your life in sowing your wild oats, 10 very
foolish principle for young men TO adhere to-
Now, don't propose to have yhu do ANYTHING
:. Of the kind, and II you avoid it you'll have no
" harvest of briars ana thisiles to gather in al
ls terwards. Now, just as soon as you'll pick yo,
ss out good. prudent, and industrious little vile
~ I'se a good farm to give you, and enough u
O. set you up in reasonable style, you under
70 stand p
4 Yes, sir
IL But not an acre nor a penny of mine shal
10, you possess until you have complied with m!
OF Wishes
y, si,ut, father
,rs Il mean what say, exactly, and no more
he make this matter your first business, and whe
-, you have performed your palt of the contract,
az az will attend TO mine.'
he Bat this is rather sudden
er, 'rnat makes no difference, II you are ut
u. IA satisfied with my terms, the world is wlo
80 enough for both Of us, you are big enoug
co. and bright enough TO earn your own living;
!. you can do better by yourself that can do
= you, why, start right out in the world, tor yo
are of age. l have stated my terms, and d
not propose to alter them
i But who shall marry?'
~ There's Israel Ives's five daughters, and II
- certain you can have your pick out Of ithe 10
They've all been well brought up, and any OF
Of them Is good enough for you. SO 60 aheat
IRE and as soon as you report favorably, the far
Is yours
~, sBut which onep'
(which one shall you take,' repeated Pet
Jansen; .it must be bright man, surely, tn
on cannot decide al sight what woman TO pick o.
of dozen. and singular youth, not 10 ba
ut your eyes on one already However maj
TO- your own choice, and you'll be happier, IL
- longer, and prosper better In your domestic
y fairs generally
. With these concluding remarks the fond fat
er turned away, and John was lett alone TO b
reflections
Now John Jansen was not verd4nt you
z man; he had seen considerable OF the word,l
3 person of his age and circumstances, but
was diffident and bashful. Ii was this quail
and of his disposition that made him so adverse
UR- ladies' society, and had Occasioned no lit
.v Q xie,y 10 old Peter, who had already b gun
! lear tndL join WOtiu W CUnufHcu udCHei
Mt, hence his desire to kindly assist Johns maj
rom monial matters along.
WIN For some moments after his fathers e.
IEs- John sat profoundly thinking; he believed
bove did have an inexpresslbe sort Of tenderness
Glow the youngest daughter Of Israel Ives.
COM IL not strictly beautiful, she was AT ieas
4: very sensible gill, and would make pract
~" housekeeper. John had but little sentiment
more. his composition; his tastes were more ma
diats of fact.
The more John though of matrimony,
more fixed became his determination Of C
}, mitting himself as soon as possible.
Pa. night or two subsequent to the conve
tion with his father, 1t was noticed that he
.S.s tired himself with unusual care before g
tA..s out as he insisted, to attend the "debatins
very - .,,iaoan,Iv as n thev wall nnders
what was uppermost in Johns mind, but
. .--n. gave the young man 10 intimation that
o,s suspicioned his intentions.