South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-09-10
I'LL WAIT FOR YOU.

Blifkins, removing his pipe from his
mouth, and looking at the young man
sharply FROM head to foot.
Despite his rather indolent, efe-
inmate ain, which was mainly the re-
suit OF his education, Luke Jordan
was line looking fellow, and not
easI moved from his self-possession,
but he colored and grew confessed
beneatli his sharp, scrutinizing look.
Yes, sir L spoke to Miss Mary
last evening and she-she referred
me to you
The Old mans face softened.
Mary, is good girl, a very GOOD
girl, he said, stroking his chin with q
Thoughtful air, 'and she deserves o.
good husband. What can you DO p
Tie young man looked rather
blank at the abrupt inquiry.
DO You refer TO my ability to sup
port wife, l can assure you
4 know you are rich man, Luke
Jordan, but l take it for granted you
ask my girl to marry you, not your
property. What guarantee could
you give me in case it should be
swept away-as in thousands Of in
stances-that you could provide for
her comfortable home? You have
hands and brains-do you know how
to use them? Again 1 ask you, what
can you do?'
This was q style of catechism for
which Luke was quite unpreparcd.
and started blankly at tie questions
without speaking.
4 believe you managed 10 get
through collegc-lIave you any pro
fCSsion?'
No, sir; though
Have you amy trade 2
No, sir; my father thought that
with the wealth | should inherit 7
should not need any
Your father thought like q fooi
then. He'd much better have given
you some honest occupation and cut
you Off with shilling it might have
been the making OF you. AS il IS.
what are you tit for? Here Won are.
q strong, ablebodied man, q wears
OLD, and never earned pound il
your life You ought to be ashanr-
ed of yourself. And you want 10
marry my danghtcr,' resumed the
old man, after a few vigorous puts
at his pipe. Now, I've given Mary
as good advantages for learning ~
any girl III town, and she hasn'
thrown them away; but if she didn't
know how to work she'd be no daugh-
ter OF mine. II | chose ( could keen
more than one servant, but l doa'f:
no more than l choose that M daur']
ter should be n pale, spiritIess ere :
ture, full OF dyspepsia and ali manner
OF fine lady ailments instead of the
smiling, bright eyed, rosy checked
lass she is. | did say that she should
marry no lad that had been cursed
with a rich father; but shea taken a
foolish liking to you, aud TIL tell you
what III DO; go to work and prove
Yourself to be man perfect your,
self IN some occupation, | don't care
what, so it be honest, then conc to
me, and if the girl be willing sLe is
yours
As the old man SAID this he dolib-
crately knocked the ashes ont oil lis
pipe against one of the pillars OF tie
porch where he was sitting, pat it iu-
to his pocket, and went INTO tie
! house.
Pretty Mary Biifkins was waiting
TO see her lover down ut the 9a'ipu
gate, their usual trysting place. The
smiling light faded from her eyes rs
she noticed his sober, discounted
look.
Father means WE'LL she said n
Luke told her the result of his appiica-
ton, 'and I'm not sure but what be-.
about right she resumed after %
thoughtful pause, for it scoms to me
that every man, be he rich or poor.
onght 10 have some occupation. 49,
Then she noticed her lover's grave
look, and al lei softly Never mind
I'll wait for you, Luke
Luke suddenly disappeared from
his accustomed haunts. much 10 the
surprise of his gay assoc;aies. But
wherever Inc went he carried with Him
IN his exile these words, which we're
like tower Of strength 70 liz soul.
I'll wait for Won, IukoF
One pleasant, sunsh.ny morning
Intc in October, ~ Farmer Blifl.r.
was propping up the grapevine iu hia
front garden that threatened 60 brea',
down with the weight Of its luxurious
branches, n neat looking cart drove
mp, from which Luke Jordan alighfcd
with Quick, elastic spring. quite I'm
contrast TO his formerly easy, leisure
" movements.
Good morning, Mr.. BHrans J
understood that YOU wanted to buy
some cider barrels. tliuk J have
some here That will just suit rou.'