Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-10-13
THE MARRIAGE PORTION.

THE MARRIAGE PORTION.
There lived, about five or six mile
from Easton, Pa, few years since, NJ
honest farmer named Henderson, wht
had two very pretty daughters, Ellen ant
Maude. The first was about twenty
three years of age, while the latter wa
nineteen. The farmer was thrifty
well-to-do man, though by ro means
rich but the family lived in excellent
style, and the daughters had received
good educations.
Both of these girls were pretty, but
Maude was perhaps the handsomer.
There was no lack of attentive young
gentlemen Mt the farm, though the
neighborhool was not very thickly set.
tied. But "beauty draws us with q
single hair" and the young ladies were
the center Of gay little circle Of friends,
mostly young gentlemen or farmers sons
in the immediate neighborhood, and
some even from Easton.
By-and-by it came about that m earn.
est, handsome and sturdy young farmer
fell desperately in love with Maude, and
proposed to her. On her part, she loved
Harry Masters above all the young fel-
lows she knew, and told him frankly thnt
he might speak to her father. In the
meantime she contided the matter to her
mother, n kind hearted, sympathetic
parent, who saw no objection to the
choice of her daughter, but all was left
to the father to decide.
Farmer Henderson was very straight
forward and open-mouthed man. That
is, he said exactly what he meant, no
Aioio ieSs, anu that ne uUvere,1 fr...1,,
Wien Harry Masters called nm on ole
side and tol. his especial errand, rs to
Maude, the father said: Well, Mr.. Mas
ters, Maude is young. wanted Ellen
to be married first !; she's Oldest, and I
have got marriage portion of twelve
hundred dollars to give her; but
haven laid by anything yet for Maude. "
81 have got pretty well beforehand,
Mr.. Henderson, for man but twenty
four years old, and we shall be able to
do very well, I have no doubt"
"You mean you'll take Maude with
out any marriage portion?" said the
father.
eyes, sir, very gladly"
"Well, it's pleasant to hear you say
so, because it shows your honest affec-
tion, Mr.. Masters but am too proud,
though simple farmer, to let Maule
marry till can give her a thousand or
two toward housekeeping.
cit is not worth waiting for, sir, as
long as we don't really need it, aud both
are content"
"Then, again, I'd rather Maude
wouldn't marry until her sister is mar
ried, because she's so much older, do
you see, it will actually make her an old
maid. 1t isn't fair, Mr.. Masters"
ELLEN is very popular with the gon-
tlemen, and will soon be married." said
the other.
"That's just what I have said to my
self, and then I shall begin to pick up
marriage portion for Maude."
II trust that is the only objection,
Mr. Henderson ?" said Harry Masters
"Why, yes You are promising and
respectable young man, and come of a
good family" said the farmer "but I
can't let Maude go until have got to-
gether respectable marriage portion TO
give with her hand"
Perhaps you will think more favora-
bly, about it," said the lover. "I'I
speak with you again."
"Al right, Mr.. Masters"
Harry and Maude were very fond of
each other, and now talked over the mat.
ter very seriously. Maude could not
blame her father, and did not like her.
self the idea OF going to Harry without
proper portion to contribute toward
their joint partnership in domestic life.
"Never mind, Harry" said the hand
some young girl; "Ellen will soon be
married. 1 have pretty good reason for
knowing"
"Ah, but then your father says he
wants time to pick up marriage por-
tion for you, and that will take three or
four years, perhaps"
"That is good while, is it not, Har-
ryp" said Maude, just blushing little,
for fear that it sounded forward and
bold.
cts ages !" said the young fellow.
" Think OF waiting three years-why we
shall be old folks by that time p
"Not quite SO bad as that" said
Maude.
"I'm sure my hair will be gray by
hat time!"
Nonsense, Harry Now you are
ng."
/ was never more in earnest in nv
life," said he, as he stole kiss from her
pretty lips, and ran away, SO as not to
hear her chide him for his boldness.
Maude," said her father, coming
into the house from the barn, "I wish
you would ride the sorrel mare into |
Easton, and get this hundred dollar bill
changed at the bank. The workmen have
get done with the roofing of the barn;
and 1 want to pay them off tonight"
"Very we'll, father. Let John put the |