AMERICAN SKETCHES.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 24, 27 April 1870, Page 7

AMERICAN SKETCHES.

EARNING A WIFE. A CANADIAN SKETCH. . “ A.ND so you want to many my daughter, young man?” said Farmer Burton, removing the pipe from his mouth, and looking at the young fellow sharply from head to his rather indolent, effeminate air, winch was mainly the result of his education, Luke Jordan was a line-looking fellow, and not easily moved from his selfpossession ; but he coloured and grew confused beneath that sharp, scrutinizing look, “Yes, sir. I spoke 1 to Miss Mary last, evening, and she—she referred me to you,” The old man’s face softened. “ Molly is a good girl—a very good girl," he said, stroking his chin, with a thoughtful 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 ” “I know that, you are well off, Luke Jordan ; but I take it for gx-anted that you ask my girl to marry you, nob your property. What guarantee can you give me ia case your property should be swept away—as it is in thousands of instances—that you could provide for a comfortable home ? You have hands and brains—do you know how to use them ? Again I ask, What can you do ?” This was a stylo of catechism for which Luke was quite unprepared, and he stared blankly at the questions without speaking. “ I believe you managed to get through college—have you any profession ?” “ No, sir; 1 thought ” “ Have you any trade ?” “ No, sir ; my father thought that with the wealth I should inherit I would not need any.” “ Your father thought like a fool, then. He’d much better have given you some honest occupation and cut you off with a shilling—it might have been the making of you. As it is, what are you fit for 1 Here you are—a strong, able-bodied young man, twenty-four years old, and yet you have never earned a penny'in your .life !. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.”

“ And you want to marry my daughter 1” restijned the old man, after a few vigorous puffs at his pipe. “ Now, I’ve given Molly as good advantages for learning as any girl could have, and she hasn’t thrown thtj i away ; but if she didn’t know how to work, slic’d be no daughter of mine. If I chose, I could keep more servants ; but 1 don’t, no more than I choose that my daughter-should be a ’pale, spiritless creature, full of dyspepsia and all manner of fme-l/idy-like ailments, instead of the smiling, bright-eyed, rosy-cheeked lass she is. I aid say that she should marry no man 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 a man ; perfect yonrsome occupation—l don’t care what, so it be honest; then come to me, and if the girl is 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, tucked it into his pocket, and went into the house.

Pretty Mary Burton was waiting to see icr lover down at the garden gate, their jsual trysting-place. The smiling light aded from her eyes as she noticed his sober, liscomforted look.

“ Father means well,” she said, as Luke told her the result of his application. u And I’m not sure but what he’s right,” Bhe resumed, after a 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 lover’s grave look, she ■ added, softly—“ Never mind; I’ll wait for you, Luke !” Luke Jorclan 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, and they were like a tower of strength to his soul :—“ Never mind ; I’ll wait for you, Luke.” One pleasant, sunshiny morning, late in November, as Farmer Burton was propping ap the grape-vine in his front yard, that Frektened to break down with the weight af its luxurious burden, a neat-looking cart Irove up, from which Luke Jordan alighted with a quick, elastic spring, quite in con--rast to his former easy, leisurely movements.

“ Good morning, Mr Burton. I understood that yon want to buy some butterand cider-barrels 1 I think I have some here that will just suit you.” <( Whose make are they 1” inquired the ild man, as, opening the gate, he passed hy the cart.

“ Mine,” replied Luke, with an air of •ardonahle pride ; “ and I challenge any ooper in Canada to beat them.” Mr Burton examined them critically one >y one.

“They’ll do,” he said coolly, as he set lovrn the last of the lot. “ What will you 'Uke for them J”

“ What I asked you for six months ago »Mayt daughter, sir.” The rogiflsh twinkle in the old man’s lyes broadened into a smile. ■

“You’ve got the right metal in you

ivfter all,” bo cried. “ Come in, lad—come in, I shouldn't wonder if wo made a bux’gain, after all.” Nothing loath, Luke obeyed. “ Molly !” bawled Mr Burton, thrusting his head into the kitchen window.

•Mary tripped out into the hall. He? round, white arms were bared above the elbows, and boro traces of the Hour she had been sifting. Her dress was a neat gingham, over which was tied a blue checked apron; but she looked as lovely and winning as she always did, wherever she was found. She blushed and smiled as she saw Luke, and then, turning her eyes upon her father, waited dutifully to hear what he had to say.

The old man regarded his daughter for a' moment with a quizzical look. “ Molly, this young man—mayhap you have seen him before ?—has brought me a lot of tubs and barrels, all of his own make, and a right good article, too. He asks, a pretty price for ’em ; but if you are willing to give it, well and good; and hark ye, my girl, whatever bargain you make, your old father will ratify.” As Mr Burton said this, he considerately stepped out of the room, and we will follow his example. But the kind of bargain the young people made can readily be conjectured by the speedy wedding that followed. Luke Jordan turned his attention to the study of medicine, of which profession he became a useful and influential member; but every year, on the anniversary of his marriage, he delights his father-in-law by some specimen of the handicraft by which he won what he declares to be “ the best and dearest wife in the world. ”