The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-04-15
Toms Choice,

Fetcr Jansen was wealthy anC
eccentric New England farmer
the owner in fee simple Of many
broad and fertile acres Of available
land, and the proud parent of
very promising son, now heal
grown, who in his infancy had beer
designated by the not altogether
unheard Of name Of Tom.
Now Tom Jansen had been
brought up in a very careful and
proper manner, and it was there.
fore not to be wondered at that, as
he grew more mature, he was re.
garded as a very exemplary young
man by those who knew him init
matcly. lie was sober and indus.
trious in his habits, cultivated and
refined in his tastes, with disposi-
ton to get along and prosper in the
world, as his father had done before
him.
But the time came when he was
one and twenty. Thisis remark
able episode in the lives Of most
young men, when fully freed from
parental restraint by the construc-
ton of the law, they think they
know so much, and subsequently
learn that they know so little.
Now possibly Peter the pere re-
garded this event in his sons life
with as great concern as,did Tom
the junior, for certain it is, that
shortly thereafter he summoned the
young. man into his presence for
little private conversation. ..
well, Tom,' he said, 'how docs
it seem to be one and twcnty?'
Seem! why l can't see as it
seems any different from any other
time
Cant, eh? O, we'll you'll see
quick enough, I guess. | suppose
Che next thing you'll be thinking
of will be getting married.
%, I hadn't thought of such a
thing yet in earnest
Hadn't, ell? we'll, you'd better
Je thinking; getting married is
s5out as important a thing as'll
,vrr happeu to you.'
'l'es, l suppose So
Suppose so? suppose so ? you'll
znow so by and by. We'll, Tom,
.ou're, old enough to begin to think
seriously about this matter. I amt
going to Lave you running around
Unsettled aud unsteady in your
habits and character. Now, the
quicker you pick You out a wife
md settle down. the better. Mind
iou, my boy, this wasting three or
our Of the best Years of your life
IL sowing your wiil:l oats, is a very
oolish principle foi' young men to
ldhcrc to. Now, I don't propose to
lave you do anything: Of the kind,
md ii you avoid it you won't have
| harvest of briars and t!listles to
gather in afterwards. Now, just as
oon as you will pick you out a
rood, prudent, and industrious lit
lie wife, I've a good farm to give
'ou, and enough to set you up i'll
reasonable style, you underestimate
Yes, sir
sBut not an acre nor a penny Of
nine shall you possess until you
lavc complied with my wishes
'But, father
Il mean what I say, exactly, and
10 more; make this matter your
irst business, and when you have
performed your part Of the contract,
will attend to mine .. 3
But this is rather sudden
THAT makes no difference; if
:ou are not satisfied with my terms,
he world is wide enough for both
If us, you are big enough and
bright enough to earn your own
wing; if you can do better by
'ourself than I can do by you,
Why, start right out in the world,
or you are of age. [ have stated
ny terms, and L do not propose to
liter them
But who shall I marry?'
There's Israel lves's five daugh-
ers, and I'm certain you can have