The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1891-01-14
Writing fddlestick!" said mother

"Well, that's something" said moth
er "Nettie can show you how. You
can stay. but can't tell what we can
pay you yet till we see what you can do"
So George Marvin became our hired
man. ! 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 cheeks.
Joel Griffin had been at our house
pretty often since fathers death. though
generally managed to escape from the
room and leave him to talk with mother
thought he was uneasy about his
money. One evening after he had gone
mother called mo in and said: ''Nettie,
what do you think? All Our troubles
are at an end-mortgages paid and ALL"
"Why, mother, how is thatY' said !.
''Girl," said mother, ''you don't know
your good fortune. Joel Griffin has
asked me for your hand"
''And what did you answer him,
mother?"
Answer him." said mother, show
could I answer him but one way?
gave my consent, and told him your
answer would probably be the same
as mine, and he's coming tomorrow
night for your answer. He says he'll
release both tho mortgages If you'll be-
come his wife"
WELL" said ], 81 never will, that's
sure. l hate him."
You've got every thing in your own
Va
this property to yourself and Ralph
and me in my old age, insure your
brothers finishing his studies and get
ting his diploma. You know with one
arm he never could succeed in life with
out profession. You can marry a man
who loves you, and is able to give you
q good home, and can take care OF you,
or you can SEQ us all homeless in the
street. Besides" she added, 'tyou love
no one else, do you?
81 don't know" said /, ''but l 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 tho next evening Joel
was there. Mother called me in and
left the room.
Miss Nettie," said Joel, ''your moth
er has probably told you that want to
marry you. have had that notion for
somo 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 I'll get the license to-
morrow"
81 don't love you. Mr.. Griffin, " said l..
"Well, that doesn't make amy differ
ence," said he, probably in time you
will. You know those mortgages are
due in May and July, and I'll release
them both if you'll marry me-"
Suppose don't marry you?" said /.
"Why, then" said he, "of course, you
can't expect any favors from me. The
mortgages will have to be paid wheI
they're due, or I'll have to foreclose and
sell you out" .,
The evening Of the 1st OF April Joe
came, and when mother called me int
the room he said: "Well, Nettie. have
l Won decided?'' He didn't even wait TO
!, mother to go out.
: .'Yes, 1 have decided" said l.
"What is your decision?"
"If either mortgage is not paid whel
It Is due" said I, II will marry you tn
next day."
y limo passed on, 50 fast! The even
q . ing of tho 1st of May was sitting i
! the front room, thinking how near tn
nth of May was, and what fate await
cd me. for knew there was no help 10
It. must either marry Joel or we mus
g lose orr home, George came in, an
= found me crying.
u .Now, Miss Nettie," said he, pleas
u tell me your troubles"
George, you can do no good
9 "Pleaso tell me, for you arc Worryln
E Yourself to death over something, an
20 Won can't tell but may be OF som
~ use."
IS So l told him all-of the power
>, Joel Griffin, and how loathed him.
N 1.-THE internal scoundrel!" sa
George. "You shall never marry him
70 wll have to, George" said !, g
we'll lose our home. can't see moth
g. homeless in her old age, and Ralph to
=" would have to give up his profession"
George sat still moment; then
~ said: Don't worry; take things cas-
G. Something tells me you will never ma
- rv Joel Griffin. Tho 10th OF May,
;, lieve, will rescue you"
y Time sped on rapidly till the 10th
l.. m
to early that morning. About i've o,flo
We in the evening 1 heard a step on
III niazza and looked out OF tho window.
was George Marvin. in a uniform
re blue. ..Wbat!' l asked him, "have y
ed deserted us in our trouble ana emil
l odo. And I know the tears sprung
- my eyes.
ed No" said George, land never W
ng desert you, though l am now a onl
nd soldier There was another draft
~ dav and Jerome Harvey, the bank
ne was drafted. For twelve hundred q
he lars became his substitute. This TIN
thank God. they accepted me. he
Nettie, take this envelope. us
ne, there. Pay of the mortgage anu
80 free" ,,
INT needn't tell you that George Mar
became Joel Grifith's substitute,
NJ" my name has been Nettie Marvin ma
me years, Ralph married Georges sis
do Nell. Now Oberon has many thousa
i'd, inhabitants. Ralph is its leading p
it'll svcian and my George its leading Ii
,ok yer. Georges book was succe
ing Mother is living yet on the old hol