Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-04-11
I'LL WAIT FOR YOU.
And so you want to marry my daughter

| 1-oYnp man" said farmer Bnlhlns'
Dasnite his rather indolent. effeminate
| o,r which was mainly the result OF his
| education. Luke Jordan was fne-looKihg
1 faIIow and not easily moved from his self
| ,,oseession but he colored and grew con-
| fused beneath the sharp, scrutinizing look.
! yes sir. spoke to Miss Mary last eve
,;rq and she-she referred me to you.
The old mans face softened.
! .Mary is a good girl, very good girl
! he said. stroking his chin with thought-
| full air. "and she deserves a good husband.
What can you do?''
The Young man looked rather blank at
| this abrupt inquiry.
IF you refer to my ability to support
a wife. I can assure you -"
/ 81 know you are rich man. Luke Jor-
dan but I take 1t for granted that you
ask NV girl to marry you, not your pro-
pertv. What guarantee can you give me.
| IN case II should be swept away, that you
could provide for her a comfortable home?
Won have hands and brains-do you know
how to use them? Again ask you, what
can YOU do? believe you managed to get
through college-have you any profess
sion?"
mo sir; I thought
Have you any trader"
"No. sir: my father thought that with
the wealth I should inherit, I should not
need any"
Your father thought like a fool, Their.
He'd much better have given you some
honest occupation and cut you off with
schllling-t might have been the making
of YOU. Here you are, strong. able
bodied young man, q years old, and new
er earned a dollar in your life! And you
want to marry my daughter resumed the
cid man, after n few Vigorous puffs at his
pipe Now. I've given Mary as good adj
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. I'll tell you what I'll
| do-go to work and prove yourself TO be
a man; perfect yourself in some occupa-
toni don't care what. so IL be honest;
then come 10 me. and If the girl be will
ing. 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
turned into the house.
Pretty Mary Biifkins was waiting TO see
her love down at the garden gate, their
usual trysting place. She smiling light
| faded from her eyes as she noticed his
sober 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 a thoughtful
! pause for It seems to me that every
man. be he rich or poor ought to have
some occupation. I'll wait for you. Luke"
Luke jordan suddenly disappeared from
his accustomed haunts. much TO the sur
| prise of his gay associates. But wher-
ever he went, ne carried with him in his
exile these words, which were like a tower
of strength TO his soul, III wait for you
! Luke"
One pleasant sunshiny morning, late IN
| October. as Farmer Blifliins was propping
UP th0 grapevine in his front garden that
! threatened TO break down with the weight
| of its luxuriant branches. a neat-looking
| cart drove up, from which Luke Jordan
alghted with a quick spring. quite in
contrast with his former easy, leisurely
| movements.
Good morning. Mr.. Blifkins. under
stand that you wanted to buy some elder
berries. I think 1 glave some here that
will suit you"
Whose make are they?" inquired the
old man. as. opening the gate, he paused
by the wagon.
Mine" replied Luke, with an air of
pardonab!e pride.
Mr.. Blifkins examined them critically
one by one.
They'll do" he said coolly, as he set
down the last Of the lot. What viii you
take for them?"
What I asked you for six months ago
to-day-your daughter. sir"
The rougish twinkle in the old mans eyes
broadened into a smile.
You've the right metal in you after
ALL" he cried. Come in, lad-come in. I
shouldn't wonder if we made a trade
after all"
Mary tripped out into the entry. Her
round, white arms were barred above the
elbows, and bore traces Of the flour she
had been sitting.
The old man regarded his daughter for a
, moment with 4 peculiar look.
Mary this young man-mayhap you
have seen him before-has brought ne n
lot of tubs bnd barrels, all of his own
make-a right good article, too. He asks
a good heavy price for EN-; but if you are
willing to give it. well and good; and bark
ye, my girl whatever bargain you make
your old father will ratify'
| Luke Jordan every year. on the annivers-
airy of his marriage. delights his father
in-law by some specimen Of the handi
craft by which he won what he declares
TO be the best and dearest wife in the