The Manitowoc Pilot

[From the St. Louis Republican.]

There is a German family of the uncommon name of Schmidt, residing in one of the southern wards. It consists of the old man, his wife and one daughter, a buxom, bouncing lass of seventeen. Some time ago a young man named Lehr commenced working for Mr. Schmidt and obtained a room in the house.

Things appear to have progressed smoothly. Lehr became a favorite with the old man and his wife, and better still, with Sophie the daughter. In fact to state the matter broadly, the young people fell in love, and as is generally the case, under such circumstances, inclined towards matrimony. The father and mother when consulted on the question, rather dampened the ardor of the lovers by interposing objections and obstacles, but finally consented to the nuptials on condition that the young man would formally bind himself to continue to work for the father for the space of three years, his remuneration being board, clothes and Sophie. It was rather ungenerous to make such a proposition to a young man desperately in love, as, of course, he had no alternative but to accept, and so it was with Lehr. Like the patriarch, he agreed to serve the father for the daughter and no doubt will think the time not long for the love he bears her.

The terms having been completed, the father and mother accompanied by the youthful lovers, visited the office of Justice Jecko, for the purpose of having the seal of law placed upon the compact. The affable Justice, who has a fellow feeling for all lovers, drew up a legal document embodying the terms of the agreement, and young Lehr, in the strength of his love and in the presence of his Sophie, signed the papers and thus ended the first act.—

The second was more pleasing. The judge was again called upon, and in clear tones, vibrating with suppressed feeling, asked the usual questions, and then pronounced the maiden and her lover man and wife for ever, when the party left the office, all in the best possible humor, the old man having secured a good workman, his daughter a good husband, the young man a good wife, and the old woman a good son-in-law.