The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-06-11
9&L5SsttS@2 Stories.
JOHNS CHOICE.

Peter Jansen was a wealthy and eccen- |
tIic New England Farmer, the owner in |
tee simple of many broad and fertile acres
of available land and the proud parent 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 a 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 who knew him intimately. He
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 is q remarkable episode
in 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 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 Ger
tain it is that shortly thereafter he sum-
moned 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 1 can't see as it seems any
different from any other time"
Cant, Ell? Oh, well, you'll see quick
enough, / guess. / suppose the nexj
thing you'll be thinking of will be getting
married"
ooh, hadn't thought of such a thing
yet in earnest"
Hadn't, eh ? Well you'd better bt
thinking; getting married is about a
important thing ash ever happen tC
you"
Eyes, suppose so.'
Suppose so suppose so you'll know
so by and-by. Well, John, you are ol,
this matter. amt going to have yo1
running around unsettled and unsteady i
your habits and character. Now, tn
quicker you pick out wife and settl
down the better. Mind you, my boy, thi
wasting three or four of the best years {
your life in sowing your wild oats is
very foolish principle for young men
adhere to. Now, I don't propose to hay
you do anything of the Kind, and if yo
avoid 1t you won't have harvest of briel
and thistles to gather in afterward. Nov
just as soon as you will pick yourself oil
a good, prudent and industrious little wi
I've good farm to give you and enoug
Il, to set you up in reasonable style. Yc
understand 2"
no "Yes, sir"
"But not an acre or a penny of mil
shall you possess until you have compile
with my wishes"
"But, father"
81 mean what l say, exactly, and
more; make this matter your first bui
Ta ness, and when you have performed yo
he part of the contract I will attend
a. mine.
he 'But this is rather sudden"
THAT makes no difference; if you g
So not satisfied with my terms the world
wide enough for both of Us you are |
he enough and bright enough to earn yc
own living; if you can do better by you
le- self than can do by you, why, start rig
out in the world, for you are of age.
Of have stated my terms and do not prop
vas to alter them"
AIN But who shall marry?"
one There's Israel Ives five daughte
the and I'm certain you can have your p
W. out of the lot. They've all been v
brought up, and any one of them is e,
ad- enough for you, so go ahead, and as s.
/ in as yoa report favorahly the farm
red yours" CO. -
snt. "But which one shall I. take, fathe
our (Which one shall you take?' repea
Peter Jansen; "it must be a bright n