Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1874-10-17
Johns Choice.

uoW Hcot etoWu3 WIN III uiS iui"
cy had been designated by the nj
altogether unhoard of name Of JOhl
Now, John Jansen had been bro
up in a very careful and propt
manner, and it was not therefore
be wondered at that as he gre'
more mature, he was regarded as
very exemplary young man b
those who knew him intimately
He was sober and industrious in hi
habits, cultivated and refined in hi
tastes, with a disposition to &c
along and prosper in the world, a
his father had done before him.
But the time came when he wa
one-and-twenty. This is a remark
able episode in the lives of mos
young men, when fully freed fron
parental restraint by the construc
ton of the law, they think the.
know so much, and subsequent.
learn that they know so little.
Now, possibly Peter, the pere
regarded this event in his sons liii
with as much concern as did JOIN
the junior, for certain it is tina
shortly thereafter he called him in
to his presence for a little private
conversation.
"Well, John" he said, chow does
it seem to be one and-twenty 2"
"Seem Why l can't see as
seems any different from any Other
time"
"Can't, eh? Oh, well, you'll SET
quick enough, guess. suppose
the next thing you'll be thinking OF
will be getting married"
ooh, hadn't thought of such at
thing yet in earnest"
"Hadn't' eh7 Well, you'd bet.
ter be thinking; getting married is
about as important a thing as will
ever happen to YOU"
eyes, l suppose so."
"Suppose so Suppose so; you'll
know so by-and-by. Well, John,
you are old enough to begin to
think seriously about this matter.
1 amt going to have you running
around unsettled and unsteady in
your habits and character. Now,
the quicker you pick yourself out a
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
is very foolish principle for young
men to adhere to. Now, l don't
propose to have you do anything of
the kind, and If you avoid it you
won't have a harvest of briarS and
thistles to gather afterwards. Now,
Just as soon as you pick yourself
out a prudent and Industrious little
wife, l've good farm to give you,
md enough to set you up in reason
able style, you understand"
eyes, sir"
"But not an acre nor penny of it
shall you possess until you have
with my Wishes"
"But, father" u
'l mean exactly what l say, and
10 more; make this matter your
irst business, and when you have
performed your part of the contract
will attend to mine."
"But this is rather sudden"
"That makes no difference; if you
ire not satisfied with my terms, the
world is wide enough for both of
Is you are big enough and bright
enough to earn your own living; if
'ou can do better by yourself than
can by you, why, start right out
n the world, for you are of age.
have stated my terms and do not
'ropose to alter them."
"BuU, who shall l marry ?"
"There's Israel Ives five daugh-
ers; and Pm certain you can have
our pick out of the lot. They've
II been we'll brought up, and any
he of them is good enough for you,
o go ahead and as soon as you re.
ort favorably, the farm is yours"
"But which one shall l take. fa
herq"
"Which one shall you take ~ re-
Gated Peter Jansen; cit must be
bright man surely, that cannot de-
ide at sight what woman to pick
ut of dozen, and singular youth
ou are not to have your eye on one
lready. However, make your
WIN choice, and you'll be happier,
We longer and prosper better in
our domestic affairs generally"
With these concluding remarks
he fond parent turned away, and