The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-08-05
An OLD-FASHIONED WOOLNG.
KANSAS.

an OLD-FASHIONED WOOING.
Eootpr1nts of some shy lover show
49, Where they go
from village to farm, in the morning snow.
The farmer, fiorid and we'll to- do,
Busters, 'WhO
Is that bashfu. boy comes here to woo:'
With burning bushes and downcast eyes,
Nellie tries
10 tell her trouble, but only cries.
The simple secret which poor Nell
Cannot tell,
The anxious mother interprets well.
And out of wise andtender heart,
Takes the part
VI her child, with gentle, persuasive art.
Somebody once came wooing me,
1ney may be poor, but SO were we.
"'No matter for wealth and grand display
You would say:
we can be happy" Then why can't they?
ave are proud, who were humble then; but
High or low,
Happier days we shall never know"
"Pooh, pooh well, wellw He yields assent,
But must vent
His grudSing fatherly discomfort.
That she, their child, so jealousy reared,
So endeared
BY all they have borne for her, hoped and
feared,
From them and their love should turn away,
To obey
The same old law, in the old way.
And placinp her hand in the hand of q man
Work and plan,
Beginning the world they began.
He yields assent: the bright heaven clears,
As she hears;
The red dawn breaks through her doubts and
The days bring signs of q coming change:
What is the strange
New ralment the busy hands arrange?
The patterns they draft. and the seams they
In the glow
OF the clear dusk. over the rosy snow,
The lover comes to the farmers door;
But no more
Shy and abashed, as heretofore,
But manly of mien and open-browed,
Pleased and proud
That his love is approved and his suit allowed.
For the father, who frowned, atlast has smiled.
Reconciled,
On the modest youth who has won his child
"Right sort of chap; like his way!
What dye say?
Wen have him at dinner Christmas day."
A wild, white world lies all around,
Winter-bound:
River and roof and tree and ground,
And the windows are all at Christmas time
Thick with rhine.
But the poultry is fat and the cider prime.
The thankful mother brings forth her best
For the guest;
And the father is merry with tale and Jest.
Ruby jellies in autumn stored
Crown the board;
TIE goose is carved and the cider poured.
The house shows never, in all the year,
Better cheer,
For guest more honored or friend more dear.
Here the doctor has sat- and as he quaffed.
Praised the draft;
At those old stories the parson has laughed.
And there with his host by the fire, the great
Magistrate
Has pulled, in familiar tete- -tete.
The daughter listens, and glad is she,
Glad to see
Father and lover so well agree.
She listens and watches. with joy and pride,
When, beside
The glorious chimney, glowing wide,
They bask in the blaze of the bounteous oak,
BaSk and smoke,
And the young man laughs at the elders joke;
Lovers laughter, that will not fail,
Through the tale
Be sometimes dull, or the joke be stale.
He will laugh and jest, or in graver mood,
Listen to good.
Sagacious counsel, as young men should.
He reasons well; and his wit is found
Sharp and sound;
He can pass opinion and stand his ground.
Feats of strength and of foolery, too,
He can do,
When he joins in the games of the younger
He opens his watch fer the boys to see,
On his knee;
And sings them merry song, maybe.
She shares his triumph, and thrilled to tears,
Words meant for only the mothers ears.
"Wen, yes" says the farmer, all aglow,
Speaking low;
"As likely fellow as any know"
TO her pei Ever fs hesyd the sweetest word
His praise of the man her love preferredi
And well may parent and child rejoice,
When the voice
OF prudence approves the young hearts
choice!
In spring the lovers pass elate
Through the gate
With golden hinges and bolts of fate.
The gate swings open; the gate is passed;
And at last
For evil or good the bolts are fast.
She may bid farewell or Gnger still,
And at will
Her feet may often recrosS the sill,
And tread again the familiar floor;
Yet door
Has closed behind her fOrevermOre.
y. 7. Tror6ridge, in Youths Companion.
A "BOOK AGENT" AT THE PAR.
SONAGE.