River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1874-05-22
JOHNS CHOICE.

Peter Jansen was wealthy and &C.
Centric New England farmer, the owner
in fee simple of many broad and fertile
acres Of available land, and the proud
parent Of a promising son, now near
grown, who in his infancy had been
designated by the not altogether I'M
heard of name of John.
Now, john Jansen had been brought
up in very careful and proper manner,
and it was therefore not to be wondered
at that as he grew more mature, he was
regarded as very exemplary young
man by those knew him intimately.
lie was sober and industrious in his
habits, cultivated and refined in his
tastes, with disposition 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. This il 4 Remarkable cpl
sode iii 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 snbse-
guently learn that they really know so
little.
Nov, possibly, Peter regarded this
event IN his sons life with is etet.t con-
Germ as did John, For certain il is. that
ehOitiy thereafter he summoned the
young man into his presence for private
conversation.
f" Well, John, he said, chow does it
seem to be twenty-one ?"
" Seem ! why ] cant sec as it
seems any different from any other
time.
Can't Ell Orwell, you'll seequick
enough, | guess. ! suppose the next
thing you'll Re thinking of will be get
ting 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 important thing ash ever happen
TO you. ?
Yes, suppose so.
Suppose So? 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 unsteady in your habits and char
acter. Now, the quicker you pick out
a wife and eettledownthe 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 princi-
Pile for young man to adhere to. Now,
dor propose to have youdo anything
of tine kind, and ii you avoid it You
won't have harvest Of briars and
thistles to gather III afterward. Now,
just as soon as You will pick yourself
out good, prudent and industrious
little wife, I've a good farm to give you,
and enough to set you up IN reasonable
style.
:" Yes, sir
But not an acre or n penny of mine
shall you possess until you have com
Piled with my wishes.
But, father
mean what say. exactly, and no
more make this matter your first
business, and when You have per-
formed Nour part Of the contract, will
attend 10 mine
but this Is rather sudden. 4"
THAT makes no difference: ii You
are not satisfied with my terms, the
world is wide enough for both Of rs
you are big enough and bright enough
to earn your own living ii YOU can do
better by Yourself than can DO hv YOU,
why, start right ont iii the world. for
you are Of age. have stated my
terms, and do notprnposo to alter them.
But who shnll marry r
"There's Israel Ives tiye daughters,
and I'm certain you can have Your pick
out of the lot. They yc all been we'll
brought mp, aud any one Of them is
good enough for you, 50 80 ahead, and
rs soon as You report fayorahly the
farm Is yours.
"But which one shall | take, father?"
(which one shall you take?' repeat.
ed Peter Jansen; "itmust be bright
man. surely. that cannot decide ID sight
what woman to pick out Of 4 dozen. and a
singular youth you are not 10 hayeyuur
eye 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 20 his reflections.