Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-05-14
JOHNS CHOICE.

near grown, VINO IN MS infancy had been dcSig-
mated by the not altogether unhcard Of name Of
John.
Now, John Jansen was brought up in very
careful and proper manner, and it was therefore
not to be wondered at that as he grew more ma
ture he was regarded as very exemplary young
man by those who knew him intimately. He
was sober and industr lous in his habits, culiiva-
ted and refined in his tastes, with disposition to
get along in the world, as his father hal done
before him.
But the time came wnen he was one and TWEEN |
ty. This is a remarkable episode in the lives of
most young men, when fully freed from paternal
restraint by the construction Of the law, they |
think they know much, aud subsequently, |
learn that they know so little.
Now, possibly, Peter, the pere, regarded this |
event In hls sous life with as great concern as
did John the junior, for certain it is, that short
ly thereafter he summoned the young man into
his presence for little private conversation.
"Well, John" he said, chow does it seem to
be one and twenty
"Seeml why l can't see as itiseems any differ
ent from any other time
Cant eh Oh, well you'll see quick enough
| guess. l suppose the next thing you'll be
thinking OF will be getting married
"Oh, hadht thought ef such thing ye. 10
earnest"
Hadn't eh? Well, you'd better be thinking
getting married is about as important as'l ever
| happen to you"
"Yes l suppose co."
Suppose go? suppose so? you'll Know Is, by
and by. Well John, you are old enough TO be-
gin to think seriously about this matIet. | aiu't
going to have you running around unsteady in
your habits and character. Now, the quicker
you pick yourself out wi ife and settle down,
the better Mind you, my boy, this wasting
three or four Of the best years Of your life in SOW
ing your wild oats is very foolish principle for
young men TO adhere TO- Now, don't propose
10 have you do anything Of the kind, and if you
avoid it you won't have harvest OF briafs ald
thislles 10 gather 10 aiterWard. Now Just as
soon as you will pick yourself cut good, prudent,
industrious iutle wife, I've good farm 10 give,
and enough to set you up in reasonable lyle, you
understand -
| "1es, air
But not an acre or penny CT mine shall you
possess until you have complied With my wish
les"
"But, fatber-'
al mean what say exactly, and no more
make this matter your hrst husIntass and when
you have performed your part ol the Contract,
will atend to mine"
| "But this Is rather sudden
II THAT makes no difference; II you are Eo
satisfied with my terms, the world is wide enough
for both of US; 4; you are big enough aud brigh
enough to earn your living; if you can do bette
by yourself than can do by you, why, start righ
Ia The world, for you are of age. have state,
my terms and do not propose 10 alter them
"But who shall | marry ,"
"Theres Israel Ives five daughters, and In
certain you can have your pick out of the lot
They've well been brought up, 80 go ahead
and rs soon as you report favorably the farm
is yours.
"But which one shall take, father"
(Which one shall you take" repeated Pete
Jansen; ait must be u bright man, surely tha
Icannot decide at sight what women 10 pick GU
of dozen and singular youth you are no
to nave your eye ON one already. However
make your own choice and you'll be happier
live longer and prosper better in your domesti
;. affairs generally"
With these concluding remarks the foh
father turned away and John was lett alou
10 his reflections.
Now, John Jansen was not yerdant Oun
man; he had seen considerable of the worl
for person OF his age and circumstances, ,bu
he was very dftdent and bashiul 1t was th
,e quality OF his disposition that made hm so NJ
verse to ladies' society and had occasioned II
little anxiety to old Peter, who had aread
begun to fear that John would be II contrme
, bachelor hence his desire TO kindly assisiJ ohm
III matrimonial matters along.
ct For some moments after his fathers exi
John sat profoundly thinking; he believed Il
did have an inexpresslble sort of tenderue;
for the youngest daughter OF Israel Ives.
= not strictly beautiful, she was at least II yer
sensible girl, and would make u pra,tic,
house keeper, John had but little seutimeI
in his composition; hiS tastes Were mere Iua
ter of fact. The more John thought of matl
mony, the more fixed became his determin;
ton of committing himself Us soon rs possibl
\ A night or two subsequent To the conyers;
~ tion with his father, it was noticed that he a
tired himself with unusual care before gor
out, as he insisted to attend the debating 81
ciety" His father and mother regarded eaC
Iother Significantly, as II they well understot
what was uppermost in John mind, but tht
nd gave the young man no inlimation that tht
ly suspicioned his Intentions.
al After u last lingering look at the l0okiI
glass, John started forth into the darkness, Ia
- ing tine shortest road possible to lie residen
Iof Israel Ives.
He soon came to the place he intended Vi
iiting. A bright light CLEANED out throul
the front windows, with welcoming beam
aud he fancied he could see smiling fac
there yet his heart thumped so very sing
larly under his shining satin vest that it "
several minutes before he could make up /
imind to knock at the door; he walked up al
ldown the road past the place several times
Ed calm himself, and TO think over the words
proposed saying when In the presence of Nj
Ives.
At last he turned in at the gate, and waikiki
boldly up to the front door, he made /
4 presence suddenly known to tho Ives FAM
~ by means of the friendly assistance OF &
heavy brass knocker,
israel Ives came to the door with a faring ca
- die in his hand he gave n sudden little start
surprise upon recognizing his visitor.
"Why, John" he said, ais this youF'
"Is Miss Ives at home 2" said John, nervous
lorystting in his sudden embarrassment
ldeaignaIs tha paItlcular Miss Isos he wanted