Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1897-05-20
PLL WAIT FOR YOU.

"And so you want to marry my
daughter, 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 Inc
to you.
The old mans face softened.
"NIary is good girl, a very good
girl, he said, stroking his chin with
thoughtful air, "and she deserves
good husband. What can you do?'
The young man looked rather blank
at this abrupt inquiry.
"If you refer to my ability to sup
port wife, l can assure YOU
81 know you are rich man, Luke
Jordan. But I take it for granted
that you ask my girl to marry you, not
your property. What guarantee can
you give me in case it should be swept
away-as in thousands of instances
that you could provide for her a COM
Portable home? You have hands and
brains. Do you know how to use
them? Again ask you, what can you
do?"
This was style of catechism for
which Luke was quite unprepared, and
he stared blanEly at the questioner
without speaking.
81 believe YOU managed to get
through college. Have you any pro-
lession?'
"No, sir. l thought"
"Have you any trade?'
NO, sir My father thought that,
with the wealth l should inherit, l
should not need any
"What are you fit for? Here You
are strong, ablebodied young man,
24 years old, and never earned dollar
in your life You ought to be ashamed
Of yourself, And you want to marry
my daughter - resumed the old man,
after few vigorous puiis at his pipe.
"Now, I've given Mary as good ad-
vantages 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 chose I could keep more than one
servant, but l don't, no more than l
choose that my daughter should be
pale, spiritless creature, full Of dyspep-
sia and all manner of fine lady all
ments, instead Of the smiling, bright
eyed, rosy-cheeked lass she is. l did
say that she should marry no lad that
had been cursed with a rich father,
but she's taken a foolish liking to YOU
and I'll tell you what I'll do-go to
work and prove yourself to be man;
uerfect Yourself in some occupation
l 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 deiber-
ately knocked the ashes ont of his
pipe against one of the pillars Of the
porch where he was sitting, put itinto
his pocket and went into the house.
Pretty Mary BHfkins was waiting to
see her lover down at the garden gate,
their usual trysting place. The smil-
ing light faded from her eyes as she
noticed his sober, discounted look.
Father means well, she said, as
Luke told her the result Of his appli-
cation. "And I'm not sure but that
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 surprise of his gay associates, But
wherever he went, he carried with him
in his exile these words, which were
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 the
front garden, that threatened to break
down with the weight of its luxurious
branches, neat looking cart drove up,
from which Luke Jordan alighted with
quick, elastic spring, quite in con-
trast to his formerly easy, leisurely
movements.
ucl ....:. II. Dl:l-: N