The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1874-08-22
JOHNS MISTAKE.

Peter Jansen was wealthy and eccen-
trio New England farmer, the owner in
fee simple of many broad and fertile
acre of available land, and the proud par
ent of promising son, now nearly grown,
who in his infancy had been designated by
the not altogether unheard-of name of
John.
Now, John Jansen had been brought up
in very careful and proper manner, it was
therefore not to be wondered at that as he
grew more mature, he was regarded as an
exemplary young man by those who knew
him intimately. He was sober and indus
trious in his habits, cultivated and refined
in tastes with disposition to get along
and prosper in this world, as his father
had done before him.
But the time came when lie was one and
twenty. This is remarkable episode in
the lives of most young men. when fully
free from parental restraint by the con-
struction of the law, they think they know
SO much and subsequently learn that they
know so little.
Now possibly, Peter, the pere, regarded
this event in his sons life with as great
concern as did John the junior, for certain
it is, that shortly thereafter he summoned
the young man into his presence for a little
private conversation.
"Well, John, how does it seem to be
one and twenty?"
Seem why can't see as it seems any
different from any other time.''
"Can't eh9 Oh, well, you'll see quick
enough, guess. l suppose the next thing
you'll be thinking about getting married"
"Oh, hadn't thought of such thing
| yet in earnest
"Hadn't eh. Well, you'd better be
thinking; getting married is about as i'm
portant thing as'll ever happen to you."
eyes, l suppose So"
"You'll know so by-and by. Well, John,
you are old enough to begin to think seri-
ously about this matter. / amt going to
have you running around unsettled and I'M
steady in your habits and character. Now,
the quicker you pick out a wife and settle
the better. Mind you, my boy, this vast
ing three or four years of the best of your
life in sowing your wild oats is very fool
ish principle for young men to adhere to.
Now, don't propose to have you do any
thing of the kind, and if you avoid it you
won't have harvest of briars and thistles
to gather afterward. Now just as soon as
you will pick yourself out wife, I've
good farm to give you, and enough to set
you up in reasonable style, you under
stand ?'
"Yes, sir"
"But not an acre or penny of mine
shall you possess until you have complied
with my wishes.'
"But, father"
81 mean what say, exactly, and no
more; make this matter your first business
and when you have performed your part of
the contract will attend to NINE"
"But this is rather sudden
"That makes no difference, if you are
not satisfied with my terms the world is
wide enough for both of us; you are big
enough to earn your living; if you can do
better by yourself than l can by you, why
start right out in the world for you are of
age. l have stated my terms, and do not
propose to alter them.
"But who shall marry ?''
"There's Israel Ives daughters, and Pm
certain you can have the pick out of the
lot. They've all been well brought I'D,
any one of them is good enough for you,
so go ahead, and as soon as you report
favorably the farm is yours"
"But which one shall take, father?"
(Which one shall you take?" repeated
Peter Jansen, cit must be bright man,
surely, that cannot decide at sight what
woman to pick out Of dozen, and sim
gular youth you are not to have your eyes
on one already. However, make your own
choice, and you'll be happier, live longer,
and prosper better in your domestic affairs
generally"
With these concluding remarks the fond
father turned away, and John was left
alone to his reflections.
young man; he had seen considerable of
the world for person of his age and Cir
cumstances, but he was very diffident and
bashful. 1t was this quality of his dspo-
sition that made him so averse to ladies'
society, and had occasioned no little anxi-
ETY. to old Peter, who had already begun to
fear that J ohn would be a confirmed bach
elor, hence his desire to kindly assist Johns
matrimonial matters along.
For some moments after his fathers exit
John sat profoundly thinking; he believed
he did have an inexpressible sort of tender
ness for the youngest daughter of Israel
Ives. If not strictly beautiful, she was at
least very sensible girl, and would make
practical housekeeper. John had but
little sentiment in his composition; his
tastes were more matter of fact. The more
John thought of matrimony, the more fix
ed became his determination of commit |
ting himself as soon as possible.
A night or two subsequently to the con-
versation with his father, it was noticed
that he attired himself with care before
going out, as he insisted, to attend the
Chatting society,"" His father and mother
regarded each other significantly, as they
well understood what was uppermost in
Johns mind, but they gave the young man
no intimation that they suspected his inten.
tions.
After last, lingering look at the looking
glass, John started forth in the darkness,
taking the shortest road possible to the
residence of Israel Ives.
lie soon came to the place he intended
visiting. bright light cleaned out
through the front windows, with welcom-
ing beams, and he fancied he could see
smiling faces there, yet his heart thumped
so very singularly under his shining satin
vest that it was several minutes before he
could make up his mind to knock at the
door, he walked up and down the road past
the place several times to calm himself,