Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 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 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. 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 is a 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.
Wen, John" he said, how does 1t
seem to be one-and-twenty
Seem! why [ can't see as it seems
any different from any other time"
Can't, ell +? Oh, well, you'll see quick
enough, | guess. | suppose the next
thing you'll be thinking of will be get
ting married"
Oh, | hadn't thought of such a thing
yet in earnest"
Hadn't, eli? Well, you'd better be
thinking; getting married is about as
important a thing ASH ever happen to
you"
Yes, I suppose So"
Suppose so? 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 o wife and settle
down the better. Mind you, my boy, this
wasting three OF four Of the best years OF
your life in sowing your wild oats is a
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 afterward. Now,
just Us sooa Us YOU will pick yourself out
a good, prudent and industrious little wife
I've L good farm to give you and enough
to set you up in reasonable style. You I'M
derstand?"
. Yes, sjr'
"But not an acre or a penny of mine
shall you possess until you have complied
with my wishes"
: But, father"
a mean what | say, exactly, and no
more; make this matter your first bust
ness, and when you have performed
your part OF the contract l 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 for 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,
and 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 a bright man,
surely, that cannot decide ut sight what
woman to pick out Of dozen, and a sin
gulaT youih 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 to his reflections.
Now, John Jansen was not a verdant
young man; he had seen considerable of
the world for person of his age and
circumstances, but he was very diffident
and bashful. 1t was this quality of his
disposition that made him so averse to
ladies' society, and had occasiOned no
little anxiety to old Peter who had al
ready begun to fear that John would be a
confirmed bachelor; 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 tenderness for the youngest daughter
of Israel Ives. If not strictly beautiful
she was at least p very sensible girl and
would make a practical housekeeper
John had but little sentiment in his com
position; his tastes were more matter Of
fact. The more john thought Of matri.
mony. the more fixed became his deter
mination Of committing himself as soon
as possible
A night or two subsequent to the con
versation with his father it was noticed
that he attired himself with unusual care
before going out, rs he insisted, to attend
the debating society" His father ana
mother regarded each other significantly
as if they we'll understood what was
unnermost in Johns mind, but they gave
the young man no intimation that they
suspicioned his intentions.
After a last, lingering look at tn look
ing-glass John started forth into the dark
ness, taking the shortest road possible t.
the residence of Israel Ives.
He soon came to the place he INTENDED
visiting. A bright light cleaned on
through the front windows with welcom
ing beams, and he fancied he could Sc
smiling faces there, yet his heart thumpe'
SO very singularly under his shining satll
vest mat It was several minutes before u
could make up his mind to knock at III
ooor ne walked up and down the roa'
past the place several times to calm him
self, and to think over the words he pre-