Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-07-07
Ill walt for You.

And so you want 10 marry my
daughter, young --mans' said Farmer
Blifkins, removing his pipe from his
mouth and looking at the young man
sharply from head to foot.
Despite his rather lndoleni, cllemi-
nate air, which was mainly the result
Of his education, Luke jordan was a
Gno looking fellow, and not easily
moved from his selfposseesion, but he
coiored and grew confused beneath his
sharp, scrudniz!ng look.
Yes. sir. [ spoke to Miss Mary
last evening, aud she--she referred me
to YOU
The old mans face softened.
Mary is good gil, very good
gigl,' he said, siroking his chin with
thoughtful air, 'and she deserves a
good husband. What can you do!'
The young man looked rather blank
at This abrupt inquiry.
DO you refer to my ability to sup
port a wife 1 can assure you
I kuow you are rich man, Luke
Jordan, but l take 1t for granted that
you ask my gil to marry you, not your
property. What guarantee car you
give me, IN case it should be swept
away-as in thousands OF instances
that you could provide for her cenl-
Portable home? You have hands and
trains--do you know how to use them?
Again ask you, what can you do p
This was 4 style of catechism for
which Luke was quite nnpreparcd, and
he stared blankly at the quastioncr
without speaking.
L believe you managed to gctI
through college have you any prolca-
siou?'
No, sir; l thought
Have you any trade p
NO, sir; my father thought that
with the wealth ! should inherit should
not need any,
.Your father thought like a fool then.
He'd much better have given YOU some
honest occupation and cut you of with
shllliug-it might have been the maxi
ing you. As il is, what are YOU fit
fer? Here YOU are, q trong,ablc bodied
young man, "A Yeas old, and never
earned . pound in your lie! Yoa
ought to be ashamed of yourself! And
you want to marry my daughter re-
sumed the old man, alter icw vigorous
pufs at his pipe. Now, I've given
| Mary is good advantages for learning
AZ any girl in town, and she hasn't
r,rown them away but if she didn't
know how to work she'd be no daugh-
ter Of mine. If choose, [ could keep
more than one servant, but don't;
no more than choose that my daugl-
4
ter should be pale, spiritless creature,
full Of dyspepsia and all manner OF llue
lady ailments, instead Of the smiling,
bright-eyed, rosy-chceked lass she IS.
[ did say that she should marry 10 lac
that had been cursed with rich father; ;
but she's taken foolish liking to yol.
and III tell you what III DO, 90 to woik
and prove yourself to be q man; perfect
Yourself in some occupatiOn-I don't
care what, so it be honest then come
to me, and if the gwl be willing, she is
yours
AS the old man said this he deliber =
ately knocked tho ashes out of his pipe
against one Of the pillars OF the porch
where he was sitting, put it into his
pocket. and went into the house.
Pretty Mary Blifkins was waiting TO
see her lover down at tue garden gate,
their usual trysting place. The smiling
light faded from her eyes as she notic-
ed his sober, discounted look.
Father means WE'LL she said, as
Luke told her the result of his applca-
ton. And Pm not sure but what
he's about right she resumed after a
thoughtful pause, for 1t seems 10 me
that every man, be he rich or poor,
ought to have some occupation
Then as she noticed her lovers grave
look, she added, softly, never mind ;
III wait for you, Luke
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared
from his accustomed hau1ts, much 10
the surprise ofhis gay associates. But
wherever he went, he carried with HIM
in his exile these words, which were
like a tower Of strength to his SOUL
sI'll wait for you, Luke =!
One pleasant sunshlny morning, late
lin October, as Farmer Bllf klns was
provping up the grapevine in his front
garden, that threatened to break down
with the weight ofits luxurious brsncnes'
neat looking cart drove up, from
which Luke Jordon alighted Win
sprinq quite in contrast to his former
easy, leisurely movements.
Good morning, Mr.. Bill kinS.
understood that you wanted 70 ouS
some cider barrels. I think have
some here that will just suit you.'
Whose make are they| inquired
the old man, as, opening the gate, he
passed by the wagon.
'Mlne,' replied Luke, witE an air Of
pardonable pride and 1 challenge any
cooper TO beat them.'
Mr.. Blfkins examined them critically
one by one.
They'll do he said coolly' as he
sat down the last of the lot 'Wha'
will you take for themP
what I asked you for six months