Australian Tales - Setis

fellows who ought to be ashamed of themselves. Egad! shouldn't I like to
leather them all with my horsewhip, or pelt them with swede turnips!”
The blithesome pair returned to Sydney by the afternoon steamer, and
at the usual time for tea they were sitting at the table in Syllabub Cottage.
Any observer might have seen a marked alteration in Jonathan's looks
and demeanour, and Phoebe looked as pleased as if somebody had given
her a new bonnet. After tea, as he and Mr. Skimmer smoked their pipes
together, Jonathan briefly explained the state of his feelings, and received
a cordial recognition from the good-natured milkman, who at the same
time looked sadly serious.
“It isn't every young man that I would approve of for my daughter, I
can tell you,” said Mr. Skimmer, emphasizing his words with his pipestem.
“I have seen some parents who have thought less about parting
with a daughter than they would about selling a favourite horse, or a
prime milking cow: and that's why we so often see miserable homes.
Such parents are shamefully neglectful of their duties; there is no mistake
about that. I have been studying your character for some time past,
Master Jonathan; for you know I had a notion what you were coming
here so often for, with your water-melons and artichokes. I've had my
day at that sort of fun — Ha, ha, ha! I have satisfied myself that you are a
healthy, God-fearing, sober young fellow, and no nonsense about you;
such as you are sure to make headway in the world, and not shame me. If
you had not all those good qualities, I would not let you have Phoebe, if
you owned a row of houses in the best part of Sydney, for I should be
certain you would not care for your wife and home very long.
Unprincipled men never do. They take a sudden fancy to a girl (they may
usually find some one soft enough to be caught by their blarney, worse
luck), and a few months after marriage they neglect them for the billiard
table and the bottle, or even worse things still. My poor old heart aches
when I think of the many neglected young wives that I know, who are at
this very time pining their lives out in poverty and drudgery; while their
lazy, sottish husbands are wasting their time and means without caring a
flip for their wives and children. Excuse me for getting rather warm; but
I can't help giving a little bit of my mind on that subject. You say you
love my girl, and I believe you, for I have always found you truthful and
straightforward. I know she loves you too, so take her, my lad, and may
God bless you both. Here Phoebe, shake hands over the bargain.”
Phoebe timidly entered from the adjoining room, and tenderly kissed
her father. “There she is,” said Mr. Skimmer, with emotion, “and though
she is my girl, I will say that you would not match her every day in the
year. Her poor mother, who is now in Heaven, trained her from
childhood in the right way; that is saying a good deal; and she has turned
out a credit to her teacher. Treat her well, and she will prove the best
friend you ever met in the world.”