Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-06-18
JOHNS CHOICE.

PETER JANSEN was a wealthy and &C.
centric New England farmer, the owner
in fee simple of many broad and fertile
acres of available land and the proud par
ent of a promising son, now nearly
grown, who in his infancy had been des-
ignated by the not altogether unheard 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 who knew him intimately. He
was sober and industrious in his habits,
cultivated and refined in his tastes, with
a 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 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 oneand twenty
"Seem! why l can't see as it seems
any different from any other time"
Cant, Ell? Oh, well, you'll see quick
enough, l guess. suppose the next
thing you'll be thinking Of will be get
ting married"
ooh, hadn't thought of such thing
yet in earnest.'
Hadn't, Ell? Well, you'd better be
thinking; getting married is about as
important thing ASH ever happen to
you.'
"Yes, I suppose So"
"Suppose 50? suppose so? you'll know
so by-and-by Well, John, you are old
enough to begin to think seriously about
this matter. | amt going to have you
running around unsettled and unsteady in
your habits and character Now, the
quicker you pick out wife and settle
down the 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 principle for young men to
adhere to. Now, | don't propose to have
you do anything of the kind, and if you
avoid it you won't have harvest OF briers
and thistles to gather in aiterward. Now,
just as sool as you will pick yourself out
a good prudent and industrious little wife
I've good farm to give you and enough
to set you up in reasonable style. You I'M
derstand?"
"Ies, sir"
but not an acre or penny of nine
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 bust
ness, and when you have performed
your part of the contract | will attend to
mine"
But this is rather sudden"
"That makes no difference; if you are
not satisfied with my terms the world is
wide enough tor both of us; you are big
enough and bright enough to earn your
own living; if you can do better by your
self than | can do by you, why, start right
out in the world, for you are OF age. /
have stated my terms and do not propose
to alter them"
But who shall | marry?"
"There's Israel Ives five daughters,
end I'm certain you can have your pick
out of the lot They've all been well
brought up, and 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; it must be bright man,
surely, that cannot decide at sight what
woman 10 pick out of dozen, and sin
guar youth you are not to have your eye
ON one already. However, make your own
choice and you'll be happier, live longer
and prosper better in your own domestic
affairs generally"
With these concluding remarks the fond
father turned away, and John was left
alone 10 his reflections.
N"W, john Jansen was not a verdant
young man; he had seen considerable OF
the world for a person of his age and
circumstances, but lie was very diffident
ana ba~h'ul. II was this quality of his
disposition that made him so ayerse tC
lanies' society and had occasioncd nc
little anxiety to old Peter, who had al
ready begun to fear that John would be a
confirmed bachelor hence his desire &c
kindly assist Johns matrimonial matters
along.
For some moments after his fathers
exit John sat profoundly thinking; he
believed he did have an iDexpressible sor'