The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-03-18
I'LL WATT FOR YOU.

"And SO you want to marry my daugh.
ter, young man." said Farmer Blifkins
removing the pipe from his mouth and
looking at the young man sharply from
head to foot.
Eyes sir. I spoke to Miss Mary last
evening, and she-she referred me to you. f"
The old mans face softened
Mary is good girl, o very good girl, :"
he said, stroking his chin with Thought
full air, "and che deserves good husband.
What can you dol"
The young man looked rather blank al
this abrupt inquiry.
"If you refer to my ability to support o
wife, can assure you''-
81 know you are rich man, Luke Jor-
dan. ButG take it for granted that you
ask my girl to marry you, not your prop
erty. What guarantee can you give me in
case 1t should be swept away-as in thou
sands of instances-that you could provide
for her comfortable homer You have
hands and brains. Do you know how to
use themS Again I ask you, what can
you dor"
This was style Of catechism for which
Luke was quite unprepared, and he stared
blankly at the questions without speaking
Il believe you managed to get through
college Have you any professionf"
'No, sir. thought
Have you any trader"
"No, sir! My father thought that, with
the wealth should inherit, should not
need any,"
what are you fit for? Here you are, q
strong, ablebodied young man, "a years
old, and never earned pound in your lifel
You ought to be ashamed of yourself! And
you want to marry my daughter" resumed
the old man, after few vigorous puffs at
his pipe. 'Now, I've given Mary as good
advantages for learning as any girl in
town, and she hasn't thrown them away,
but If she didn't know how to work she'd
be no daughter of mine If l choose, 1
could keep more than one servant, but
don't, no more than I choose that my
daughter should be u pale, spiritless crea-
ture, full of dyspepsia and all manner of
fine lady ailments instead Of the smiling,
bright eyed, rosy checked lass she Is. did
say that she should marry no lad that had
been cursed with rich father, but she's
taken foolish liking to you and I'll tell
you what I'll dO-go to work and prove
yourself to DO man; perfect yourself in
some occupation-I don't care what so it
be honest; then come to me, and, If the
girl be willing, she is yours +"
As the old man said this he deliberately
knocked the ashes out of his pipe against
one of the pillars of the porch where he
was sitting, put it into his pocket and
went into the house.
Pretty Mary Bliikins was waiting to see
her lover down at the garden gate, their
usual trysting place. The smiling light
faded from her eyes as she noticed his So
Der, discounted look
Father means WE'LL she said as Luke
told her the result of his application. "And
I'm not sure but what he's about right"
she resumed, after thoughtful pause, "for
it seems to me that every man, be he rich
or poor, ought to have some occupation
Then, as she noticed her lovers grave
look, she added softly Never mind I'll
wait for you, Luke"
Luke Jordan suddenly disappeared from
his accustomed haunts, much to the sur
prise of his gay associates. But, wherever
he went, he carried with him in his exile
these words, which We're like tower of
strength to his soul, "I'll wait for you
Luke"
One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in
October, as Farmer Blifkins was propping
up the grapevine in his front garden, that
threatened to break down with the weight
of its luxurious branches, Il neat looking
cart drove up, from which Luke Jordan
alighted with IL quick, elastic spring, quite
in contrast to his formerly easy, leisurely
movements.
Good morning. Mr.. Blfkins. under
stood that you wanted to buy some cider
barrels. l think l have some here that
will suit you"
Whose make are they?" inquired the |
old man, US, opening the gate, he paused |
by the wagon.
"Aiinc," replied Luke with an air of
pardonablc pride, "urd l challenge any
cooper to beat them"
MIR. Bllkins examined them critically
one by one.
They'll do, he sad coolly as he set |
down the last Of the lot. "What will you
take for themf'
What asked you for six months ago
today-your daughter, sir. "
The 1oguish twinkle in the old mans |
eyes broadenCd into smile.
you've the right mGttlG in you, after |
all, he cried. "COme IN, lad-como in. l !
shouldn't wonder if we made IL trade, after
ull
Nothing loath, Luke obcyCd.
Mary tripEcd out into the entry. Her |
round, white arms were barred above The
elbows and bore traces of the flour she |
had ECcn sitting.
Her dress was Il neat gngham, over |
which was tied blue che ckurcd apron. ,
But She looked us winning and lovely as |
she always did wherever she was found. !
She bluShcd and smiled as she saw Luke,
and then, turning her eyes upon her ia
Their, waited dutliully to hear what he |
had TO say.
The old man regarded his daughter for /
moment with II peculiar look.
Mary, this young mull-mHyhup you
have seen him buiore-has brought me .
lot of tubs and barrels, all Of his own
makc-a right good article TOO, He asks ,
good heavy price for On. But il you arc !
willing to give it, well and good and bark !
yc, my girl! whatever bargain you make
your old father will rutiIy."
AS Mr. Blitkins said this, he consider
atcly stepped out Of the loom, and we will
follow his example. But the kind OF bar |
gain the young people made can readily DO |
conjecturcd by the speedy wedding that
followed.
Luxe Jordan every year, on the ami
YCrSATy of his marriage, delights his ia |
thcr-in law by some sltcnmtn uI the hand
icraIt by which he wei what lie declares |
IL be the Lest ana dearest vic il the !
world. ''-Boston Post.