Welcome back to Sweet Saturday Samples! Let's take a look at an exchange between Rod Owen and a neighbor, Chester Bates.
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Although Chester Bates was obviously surprised to see a dozen cows being driven into his door yard several weeks before he'd planned for them to arrive, Marie thought he masked it well when he greeted Rod Owen the next day.
"They look hale and hearty," Mr. Bates said, gesturing to the beeves.
"The pick of the lot," Rod answered.
"You're early," said Mr. Bates, holding the headpiece of Rod's horse as he looked up at him.
"I needed to see Ed Morgan right away. No sense makin' two trips when one will do."
Mr. Bates nodded slowly. "You may as well 'light, then. Rest your bones. Let your boys drive the beeves into the pen." He counted the crew members with a glance, his eyes widening when he saw Marie. "You brought the girl?"
"I have business that concerns her." Rod dismounted.
Mr. Bates's brow creased. "Are you brokering another marriage?"
Marie thought she would die as her father nodded. She hoped he would not begin to talk about her while she was still in earshot. She slipped off Bess and led her toward a tie post.
~~~
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I'm so glad I live in these days. I'd died if my dad "brokered" a marriage for me. He doesn't have any sense of human nature. I could only imagine what kind of husband he'd found for me. Besides, I would've been one of those girls who wouldn't let myself be given away. Stubborn, I am!
ReplyDeleteLOL! We romanticize so many past eras, but life was hard back in the day. Having a domineering, pretty much all-powerful father was one of the problems of that period's societal structure. Thanks for visiting, Debra.
DeleteHahaha. This made me remember a dad in our ward got up after a return missionary and announced that he had two marrying-aged daughters, and that he could take his pick.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Tina! Thanks for commenting.
DeleteI have a feeling Mr. Bates may be interested in more than cattle!
ReplyDeleteSandra, Mr. Bates' interest would likely be for the welfare of Marie. When Rod Owen made plans to leave Virginia, he wanted to marry his bachelor sons to local girls, so he made a couple of bargains, which didn't turn out the way he'd intended. Chester Bates' daughter was involved, so he would have a passing interest in Rod's marriage brokering attempts.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and commenting!
Tina's comment was funny. A fun era to read and write about, but I agree that I'm glad I live now. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Renae. I agree that I like living in this day. I wouldn't survive without my washer/dryer, microwave, and computer.
DeleteInteresting that the cattle were delivered early and with the daughter in tow.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Lindsay! Actually, it's quite sad that this is a case where Marie wasn't careful about what she asked for, and it's going to bite her. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteSo she kinda feels like one of the cows, huh? Sensitive, Dad, real sensitive.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! Rod Owen isn't known to be particularly sensitive when he feels something needs to be done right soon. His wife, though, can melt him like ice cream on a hot rock.
DeleteThanks for coming by and commenting, Gunnar.
How embarrassing for Marie! But she sounds like a strong woman. I'm sure she'll end up with a strong man.
ReplyDeleteShe will get there eventually, Patricia. Thanks.
DeleteI hope Marie gets the last laugh with these men. I hope her father's plans for this "marriage brokering" get waylaid! Nice excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenna! There will be missteps along the way, but you know everything will turn out well some time or other.
DeleteI am curious how this one turns out. :)
ReplyDeleteI am too, Rachel! Thanks for visiting.
ReplyDeleteHuh. I feel like taking a frying pan to her dad's head for "brokering" a marriage for her. I hope she ends up with a man who cherishes her, or learns to.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the father's plans are going to go wrong again.
ReplyDelete