Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-12-23
TuE MARRIAGE POE1IOS.

There lived, about hve or SIX miles
iron, Easton, Pennsylvania, lew years
s,uce ALI honest farmer named henoer-
son who had two very pretty dalghters:
Ellen and Maude. The first was about
thirty wears Of age, while the letter was
but nineteen. The farmer was thfity' |
we'll to-do man, though by no meahs
rich: but the family lived III excellent
stsle. and The daughters had received
good educauons.
Both of these girls were prytty. bnt
NIaude was perhaps the handsoiher.
There was no lack of attentive young
gentleman at the farm, though the
neiqhborhood was not very thlckly SET
fled But "Deauty draws us win snl-
ole HAIR" and the young ladies were
the centre of a gaJ little circle Oh
friends.
By and bv 1t came about that an ear
nest, handsome and sturdy young 1arm-
er fell desperately III love with Maude
ana proposed to her. On her part she
loved Harry Masters above all the
voung fellows she knew and told INN
frankly that Ire might speak to her faith
.r In the meantime she contided the
matter TO her mother, kind-bearted,
,ympathetic pnlent, who saw no obJec-
tion TO the choice of her daughter. but
All was left with the father 10 decloc.
Henderson was avery straightforward
aud opeu-mourhed man. That is, he
sad exactly what he meant, no more or
less. and that hr uttered freely. When
Henry Masters called him one SIDE and
tnlj ~, III errand as to Maude,
tne father sur,: "Weli, Mr.. Masters,
Manle is yonng, ! wanted Ellen to be
married first; she's the oldest, and l
have got u marriage portion OF = ,2Oo TO
uiyo her; but haven't laid by anything
vet for-Ma,tde.
Il have got pretty we'll beforehand,
Mr.. Henderson, tor u man but twenty
io,.r wears old, and We shall be able to
10 very Wen, ! hayc no doubt.
@"Yon mean yul,d take Maude With
ont any marriage portlon: sfid tue
atler.
Yes sir. very gladly.
,Well. It's pleasant to hear You say
90. because it shows your honest aiiec.
tion. Mr.. Masters; bat am too prehd
to let Maude marry until | can give hol
II thousand or two towards hcu5ekeep
ing.
Iongsas we really don't need 1t and botl
are content. :,
Then, again. Ia rather Ma"d
wouldn't marry until her sister Is mar
ricd because she's SO much older. s.
yon sec it will actually make her N
olt'ma,d. 1t isn't fair Mr.. Masters.
"Ellcn.s very popular with the gen
tlelncu and will soon be married, sal
the other.
"That's Just shat have said to my
self. and then sEall begin to pick up
marriage portion for Maude.
IL trust that is the only objection
Mr., Henderson," said Harry Masters.
'Why, yes, you are q promising an
respcunble' young -Inan aud come OF
GOOD family SAID the farmer: "but
can't let Maude go until have got t.
gc,har respectable marriage portion
give With her hand"
Perhaps you will think more favo
ably about it, said the lover. II
speak with you again.
"All right, Mr.. Masters
Harry and Maude were very fond
each other and now talked over tie ma
Ter very seriously, Maude could |.
hlnme her father and did not hers,
like the idea of going To Harry wltho
proper portion to contribute towar
thicr JOINT partnership IN domestic III
"Never mind. Harry said the han
some young girl; Ellen will soon
married have pretty good reason
kuowlng.
''Ah, but then your father says
wants time to pick upa marriage porti
for YOU, and that will take three or 10
years, perhaps,
That Is q good willie, is il not, H
ry? said Maude, lIst b!ushlng lltt
Tor rear II sounded forward and bold.
Its ages" said the young fello
Think ot waiting three years-wl
we shall be old folks by that time.'
"Not quite So bad AS that, 81
Naude.
I'm sure my lair will be gray
THAT tlme!'
Nonsense, Harry, Now YOU are j,
ing
II was never more III earnest in
hse." said he, as he stole kiss from
pretty lips, aud ran away, so as not
hear her nLjde him tor his boldness.
"Maude," ss;d her father, conf
INTO the house FROM the barn. IL W
YOU would ride the sorrel mare i