The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-12-14
The Marriage Portion.

1DeTp llNpQ, aUbut iiNt VI c'A ibi'NF
from Eas,on, Pennsy lvania, few year,
since, an honest farmer named Hender
son, who had two very pretty daughters
Ellen and Maude. The first was about
thirty wears of age, while the latter was
but nineteen The farmer was thrifty
well-to.do man, though by no means
rich but the family lived in excellent
style, and the daughters had rec, ircd
good educations.
Both of these girls were pretty, but
Maude was per!iaps the handsomer
There was no lack Of attentive young
gentleman at the farm, though the neigh
borhood was not very thickly settled
But "beauty draws US with single hair, "
and the young ladies we're the centre oi
gay little circle of friends.
BY and by it came about that All ear.
nest, handsome and sturdy young farmer
fell desperately in love with Maude and
proposed to her On her part she loved
Harry Masters above all the young fei.
lows she knew and told him frankly that
he might speak to her father. In the
meantime she confidcd the matter TO her
mother, a kind hearted, sympathetic pa.
rent, who saw no objection TO the choice
OF her daughter, but all WAS left with
the father To decide.
and open nlouthed man. That is, he
said exactly what he meant, no more or
less, and that he uttered freely. When
Henry Masters called him one side and
told his especial errand As to Mandc, the
father said; well, Mr.. Masters, Maudc
is young. wanted Ellen 10 he married
first she's the oldest, and have got q
marriage portion of Fl 200 to give her
but hnvn't laid by anything yet for
Maude"
II have got pretty well beforehand,
Mr. Henderson, for a man but twenty
four years old, and we shall be able 10 do
very well, have no doubt"
"You mean you'd take MauIc with.
out any marriage portion - said the fR.
tlier.
"Yes sir. very gladly"
"Well, it's pleasant to hear you say so,
because it shows your honest affection,
Mr. Masters but am too ProId to let
Maude marry until | can give her q
thousand or two towards housekeeping.
at is not worth waiting for, sir, as
long as we really don't need it and both
are content
"Thcn, again, I'd rather Maude
wouldn't marry until her sister is mar.
ried. because she's so much older. 80 you
zee it will actually make her an old maid
1t isn't fnir, Mr.. Masters"
Ellen is very popular with the gentle
men and will snon be married." said the
other.
"That'a just what have said to my.
self. aud then shall begin to pick up a
marriage portion for Maude."
~ trust that is the only objection, Mr.
Henderson," said Harry Masters.
why, yes, you are promising and
respectable young man and come Of II
good family said the farmer: "but |
can't let Maudc go until have got to-
getlIer respectable marriage portion to
give with her hand"
Perhaps you will think more hvora-
bly, about it," said the lover. "I'll speak
with you again"
"All right, Mr.. Masters"
Harry and Maude were very fond OF
each other and now talked over the mat
ter very seriously. NInude could not
the idea Of going to Harry without a
proper portion 10 contribute towards
their joint partnership in domestic life.
Never mind, Harry" said the hand,
some young girl; ELLEN will soon bc
married. have pretty good reason fol
knowing"
"Ah. but then your father says he
wants time to pick up marriage portion
fory you. and that will take three or four
years, perhaps"
"rhat is a good while, is it not, Har
TYP" said MAude, just blushing a little
for fear it sounded forward aud bold.
"It's ages I" said the young fellow
Think Of waiting three years-why, we
shall be old folks by that time"
Not quite 30 bnd as that" said
Maude.
I'm sure my hair will be gray by tha
timer'
Nonsense, Harry Now you are jok
ing"
II wan never more in earncst in m,
lite," said he. as he stole kiss from hel
pretty lips, and ran away, so as not tc
hear her chide him for his boldness.
"Maude," said her father, coming into
the house from the barn, II wish vou
would ride the sorrel mare into castor
aL the bank. The workmen have 90,
done with the roofing Of the barn aud
want to pay them off tonight"
very well, father. Let John put the
side.saddle on and I will be ready in five
minutes"
The sorTe' mare was brought UP to q; c
door, and Maude was soon on her way a
an easy hand gallop toward Easton. She
had an excellent seat, and was good
horse. woman. AS sue knew this very
we'll, she would not have objected to have
Harry Hee her just now but ne had gone
few moments before in an opposite di.
rection. TJi 3"f
When Maude got into Easton she rode
directly to the bank. but wan unfortunate te
enough to find that II was already closed.
Alei few moments thought she resplv.
ed to try and get the note changed at the
grocer's or at some of the other stores,
and went Immediately to do 40. Fate
seemed against her, for no one had small
change enough to accommodate Miss
Henderson. 'Eftfl- .''-
at one Of the stores where she stopped,
very gentlemaniy looking person t,uk
out his pocket book and said he thought
he could change it for her. and she hand
ed him the bill i; but he returned it say.
ing, after all, he had not SO much small
money. He seemed to regret this, how
ever, and even followed Maude to the
door and assisted her to remount her
horse.
She was forced TO give up her errand,
as she did not like to run about among
strangers, asking them to change her o
bill, especially as no one seemed able to
do so. She therefore turned her horse q
head once more towards home. Scarcely
bad she passed the outskirts of the town
when ahe was overtaken by the stranger
who had spoken with her in the last