Nevada County picayune., 1891-02-05
had been drafted, and l thought you
might want another.

er came in pretty soon ana SAID:
Eyes, we do need a hired man il any
one ever did, for we're all alone on
the farm with horses, and cattle, and
hogs to look after, and crop to put
in in the spring-that is, If we don't
lose the farm-but you don't look as
if you could do farm work. How
old are you?"
"Twenty-three was the answer.
"What is your name!' said mother.
George Marvin" he replied. II
haven't been in the country long.
NV father was killed in the service
nv mother has since died. My only
sister is living with an uncle in Brad
ford. ! enlisted, but the examining
physicians wouldn't accept me. They
said something was wrong with my
lungs, but | don't believe it. l
guess look so white from being in
the house so much. I've been writ
ing q book for the last three months,
and now | want outdoor exercise
writing fiddlestick!" said
mother; you're throwing away
your time. Can you milk cows:'
II can try" said George.
"Well, that's something said
mother. "Nettie can show you how.
You can stay, but l can't tell you
what we can pay you till we see
what you can do
SO George Marvin became our
hired man. l liked George from the
first, but he didn't know much about
farm work, though he soon got used
to it, and it brought color into his
checks.
Joel Griffin had been at our house
pretty often since father death,
though l generally managed to es-
cape from the room and leave him to
talk with mother. | thought he was
uneasy about his money. One even
ing after he had gone mother called
me in and said: "Nettie, what do
YOU think? All our troubles are at
an acknowledges paid and all. y
"Why, mother, how is that
asked l.
Girl" said mother, "you don't
know your good fortune. Joel Crit
fin has asked me for your hand"
"And what did you answer him,
mother?'
ANSWER him." said mother, "how
could l answer him but one way: l
gave him my consent and told him
your answer would probably be the
same as mine, and he's coming to-
morrow night for your answer. He
says he'll release both the mortgages
if you'll become his wife"
"Well," said l, II never will,
that sure. | hate him.
you've got everything in your
hands," said mother. "lou can
save this property to yourself and
Ralph and me in my old age, insure
your brothers finishing his studies
and getting his diploma. You know
with one arm he never could succeed
in life without a profession. You
can marry man who loves you, and
is able to give you a good home, and
can take care Of you, or you can see
us all homeless in the street. Be.
Sides" she added, you love no one
else," do you:'
81 don't know" said /, "but
don't love Joel Griffin, and he's old
enough to be my father besides.
"Well," said mother, you know
the result if you refuse him, and
she left the room.
Sure enough the next evening Joe
was there. Mother called me in and
left the room.
Miss Nettie," said Joel, your
mother has probably told you that
want to marry you Ihave had that
notion for some time, but you always
seemed to try and keep out of my
way. Now, your mother has given
her consent, and if you say yes l. i
get the license tomorrow"
II don't love you, Mr., Griffin,
said 1.
"Well, that doesn't make any diff
ference, said he; probably in
time you will. You know those
mortgages are due in May and July,
and both of them shall be released
if you will promise to marry me.
Suppose l don't marry yon:"
said /.
'Why, them" said he, "of course
Won can't aynant onv favora from