The daily gazette., 1879-12-12
I'LL WAIT FOR YOU.
BY W. T. W.

"And 80 you want to marry my daugh-
ter, young man, said Farmer Blifkins,
removing the pipe from bis mouth, and
looking at the young man sharply from
head TO foot.
Despite his rather indolent, effemi-
nate air, which was mainly the result Of
his education, Luke Jordan was q fine
looking fellow, and not easily moved
from his self-possession; but he colored
and grew confused beneath this sharp,
scrutinizing look.
eyes, sir. Ispoke to Miss Mary last
evening, and she-she referred me to
you."
The old mans face softened.
"Mary is a good girl,a very good girl"
be SAID, stroking his chin with thought
full air, "and she deserves good hus-
band. What can you doP"
The young man looked rather blank
at this abrupt inquiry.
"!f you refer TO my ability to support
. wife, can assure you-"
81 know you are q rich man, Luke
Jordan, but I take 1t for granted that you
ask my girl to marry you, not your prop
erty. What guarantee can you give me
In case it should be swept away-as In
thousands Of instances-that you could
provide for her q comfortable home? Y on
have have hands and brains-do you
know how 10 use them? Again ask
you, what can you do?"
This was q style of catechisn for which
Luke was quite unprepared, and he
stared blankly at the questions wit h0ut
speaking.
81 believe you managed TO get through
college-have you any professionp'
"No, sir; thought"
"Have you any trader"
"No, sir! my father thought that, with
the wealth should inherit, should not
need any,"
"Your father thought like fool then.
He'd much have given you some honest
occupation and cut you off with a sbill-
ing-it might have been the making of
you. As 1t is, what a.e you fit for !?
Here you are, strong, able-bodied
young man, twenty-four years old, and
never earned pound in your life You
ought to be ashamed of yourself. And
you want want to marry my daughter"
resumed the old man, after few vieor-
Gus puffs at his pipe. "I've given Mary
as coed advantages for learning AS any
| girl in town, and she hasn't thrown them
away but if she didn't know how to
work she'd be no daughter of mine. II
| l choose, l could keep more than one
servant, but l don't; 10 more than l
choose that my daughter should be a
pale, spiritless creature full of dyspepsia
and all manner of fine lady ailments, in
stead of the smiling, brieht-eyed, rosy
checked lass she is. did say that she
should marry no lad that had been curs-
ed with rich father but she's taken a
foolish liking to you, and I'll tell you
what ii do: 60 to work, and prove
youIself to be man; perfect yourself
in some occupation-I don't care what
so it be honest; then come to me, and il
the girl be willing, she is yours"
As the old man said this he deliberate.
ly knocked the ashes out of his pipe
against one of the pillars of the porch
where he was sitting, put it into hi.
pocket and went into the house.
Pretty Mary Blitkins was waiting tt
see her lover down at the garden gate
their usual trystng place. The smiling
light ia led from her eyes as she noticed
his 90 jer, discounted look.
"Father means WE'LL" she said, a
Luke told her the result of his applica-
ton. And I'm not sure but what he'
about right" she resumed, after
thoughtful pause, "for it seems to mi
that every man, be he rich or poor, ough
o have some occupa i0n."
Then, as she npticed her lovers gravs
look, she added, softly: "Never mind
i xryutf fAr Urn
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared
from his accustomed haunts, much tt
the surprise of his gay associates. But
where yer he went, he carried with hin
in his exile these words, which wer,
like tower of strength to his soul, an
wait for you, Lukel"
One pleasant, sun >hiny morning, lat
in October, as Farmer BlitkIns was prof.
ping up the grape vine I'm his front gar
den, that threatened to break down will
the weight of its luxurious branches, ,
neat looking cart drove up, from whicl
Luke Jordan alighted with quick quit,
in contrest to his formerly easy, leisure
ly movements.
"Good morning, Mr.. Blifkins. 1 unde
stood that you wanted to buy some eide
barrels. think have some here tina
will Just suit y0u."
Whose make are they?" inquired tn
old man as, opening the gate, he paus
ed by the wagon.
"Mine," replied Luke, with an air Of
pardonable pride; "and challenge an.
cooper to beat them.'
Mr.. Blifkins examined them CRITICALLY
, one by one.
"T6ey'll do," he said coolly, as he SO
down the last of the lot. What will yol
take for themT
"what asked you for six month
ago 10 day-your daughter, sir"
The rougish twinkle in the old man
eyes broadened into smile.
"You've the right metal In you, afte
ALL" he cried "Come in, lad-come il
sho uldn't wonder II we made q trade
after all.'
Nothing 10th, Luke obeyed.
Mary tripped out into the entry. He
round, white arms were barred above tn
elbows, and bare traces of the -four sh
had been sitting.
Her dress was neat gingham, owe
which was tied q blue checked apro
but she looked0as winning and lovel
40 she always did whereve she wa
found.
sho blushed and smiled as she sa,
, Luke, and then, turning her eyes upo
her father, waited, dut.fully, to hea
what he had to say.
The old man regarded his daughter fl
moment with peculiar look.
"Mary this young man-mayhap 70
have seen him before has brought me
, lot of tubs and barrels, all Of his ew
make right good article, too. He Ks
good heavy price for 'eIn; but If you al
willing to give it, we'll and good; an
, bark ye, my girl, whatever bargain 20
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