Connecticut western news., 1882-09-20
THE MARRIAGE PORTION.

There lived, about five or six miles from Easton, Pennsylvania, few years since, an honest farmer named Tender son, who had two very pretty daughters, Ellen and Maude. The first was about twenty three years of age, while the lat ter was but nineteen. The farmer was 8 thrifty, well-to-do man, though by no means rich but the family lived in ex- cellent style, and the daughters had re- ceived good educations.
 Both of these girls were pretty, but Maude was perhaps the handsomer. There was no lack of attentive young gentlemen at the farm, though the neighborhood was not very thickly set tied. But "beauty draws us with 8 single hair" and the young ladies were the centre of a gay little circle of friends.
 By and by it came about that an ear nest, handsome, and sturdy young farm CT fell desperately in love with Maude and proposed to her. On her part she loved Henry Masters above all the young fellows she knew, and told him frankly that he might speak to her father. In the meantime she confided the matter to her mother, a kind hearted, sympathetic parent. who saw no objection to the choice of her fair daughter, but all was left with the father to decide.
 atn Trhx ward and open-mcuthed man. That is, he said exactly what he meant, no more or less, and that he uttered freely. When Harry Masters called him on one side and told his especial errand as to Maude, the father said, "Well, Mir. Masters, Maude is young. I wanted Ellen to be married first; she's oldest, and I have got marriage portion oi S1,200 to give her; but haven't laid by anything yet for Maude."
 {" have got pretty well beforehand, MT. Henderson, for man but twenty four years old, and we shall be able to do very well, have no doubt"
 "You mean you'll take Maude with. out any marriage portion ?" said the father.
 ''Yes, sir, very gladly"
 "Well, it's pleasant to hear you say so, because it shows your hones affection, MT. Masters, but I am tot proud to let Maude marry until car give her thousand or two toward housekeeping.
 "It is not worth waiting for, sir, a long as we really don't need it and botl are content"
 ''Then, again, I'd rather Maud wouldn't marry until her sister is mar ried, because she's so much older, d. you see, it will actually make her an ol' maid. It isn't fair, MT. Masters"
 ''Ellen is very popular with the gen tlemen, and will soon be married" sai the other.
 'That's just what have said to my self, and then I shall begin to pick up marriage portion for Maude."
 'sI trust that is the only objection MT. Henderson ?'' said Harry Masters
 UAy1 JOOs yOa nAC du respectable young man and come of good family" said the farmer; s'but can't let Maude go until have got tt gether respectable marriage portion f give with her hand"
 "Perhaps you will think more favo ably about it." said the lover. CT speak with you again."
 "All right, Mir. Masters"
 Harry and Maude were very fond each other, and now talked over u matter very seriously. Maude cou not blame her father and did not herse like the idea of going to Harry w1tho proper portion to contribute towa1 their joint partnership in domestic lii
 Never mind, Harry" said the han some young girl; "Ellen will soon married. have pretty good reason f knowing"
 sAb, but then your father says wants time 10 pick up Q marriage DO