, 1844-01-20

VI INV A<Do
ton people. His old customers who
had for fifteen OF twenty years relied
on him for supplies, and had never
once been disappointed-could not
believe that lie would fail to appear
now. and even the day preceding
Thanksgiving refused to purchase of
others, under the full conviction that
he would come, though at the elev-
enth honr. But alas, he come not;
and for the first time in their lives.
and hoped the last. many of our
good citizens were obliged to forget
the luxury of roast turkey, and dine
upon roast beef; and instead of being
thankful, they did nothing but eat.
drink and grUmbIe. But there is no
calamity, however great, from which
good may not be extracted.
This unhappy event led the good
people TO reflect upon what might be
the Consequences if Josiah should be
removed by death, leaving no issue
TO keep up the stock of turkies; and
as life is uncertain even in Vermont,
they set about devlsIng means Of ad-
verting so serious an evil. Accord
ingIy Josiah began to receive letters
advising him to marry; di~sinteresied-
" pointing out TO hun the cherries
ness of his present mode of life, and
limiting also that if he should die child
less, Thanksgiving would be broken
up. Now the subject of matrInonv
had never entered into Josiah's head.
His maiden sister attended to his
house-darned lis stockings for Sun
day-washed his ears for him on n
Sunday highland combed his hair
ia more WAYS than me-. In short he
could not see what more woman could
do. However, the subject had got
into his mind ard il was not easy to
get it ont again. Ii was constantly
before him. lie could not even sleep
in meeting. but was constantly look
ing about and observing how mic and
chirk the Young women looked. Fl
naiiv he concluded IL open lis mind
10 his sister, and ask her advice.
After weighing the matter thorough
Is. and mourning over the prospect OF
laying down the sceptre, she advised
him with 4 magnanlmiiy which none
but a sister could exhibit to comply
with the suggestions of his friends
and Hester stated that she WIS will
ing to resign her authority TO another,
for the sake OF promoting his happi
ness; but in order TO secure the lat
ter. she must make the match herself,
at least so far as 10 point out a prop,
er person for him to court. This was
a great relief to him, but he would
have been better pleased if she could
have settled the whole matter; for he
had Il great horror of encountering
one Of the sex face to face, having
never been in company with any but
his own relations. However, his sis,
ter, who was in the habit of gossip
ping ia the intermiSSion with all the
women that came TO meeting. soon
made choice Of n vile for her brother.
ia the person of Sally JepSon, who
lived but a couple Of miles from his
farm ward. She was (as she tod Jo-
siah) Of a rugged make, thick set.
wholesome looking, and as smart
as Il steel trap So it was agreed
that on Sunday night, josiah should
commence his courtship. According
Iy, after supper he mounted his horse.
and started with fear and trembling,
for Squire Jepson's. He rode very
slow, that he mi-ht con yer what he
had to say to Sally; but after think
ing ovcr many forms OF speech, he
arrived at the house quite at a loss
how to open his heart. Having tied
his horse to Il fence, he thought he
would r~cconneitre the premises be-
fore going in; but although there was
a light in the sitting ROOM, the cur
tains were drawn. and nothing could
be discovered. After walking round
the house two or three times, and GO
ing so often to the fence to see if his
horse was tied securely, he finally
made a desperate effort, went to the
well, took a drink from the bucket,
and then gave a rap on the door.
walk in bawled the Squire.
After fumbIing some time, he final
" raised the latch, and entered.
Why, Josiah Baker, exclaimed
the Squire. ,.
.Why. Mr.. Baker, echoed his WIFE,
is that you? set to the fire..
Sally said nothing but smoolhen
down her vandyke, laid her hands on
her lap, and looked into the fire. Inc