Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1868-03-06
a BACKwoODSMAN.
sy NARY E. crARar.

sv NARY e. crARRH.
"DEAR AuNrIE-I am coming home, as
promised, on Thursday next; and, if it is not
very inconvenient, will you allow me to bring
friend with met Let me tell you my story
before you decide. ! wrote to you, in my last
letter, that we were starting for surveying in
Lee county, the most desolate and wild Of all
the work yet mapped out for US. Iwas taken
very i'll, there, with fever and ague and was
q serious encumbrance upon the hands of the
party. We were two days journey from the
last village on our road, and there were not
enough Of US to spare an invalid and nurse.
We we're in quandary, where there rode up,
from somewhere West Of us, : young man, on
one Of those odd little mustangs wrote to
you about, who. after hearing the story, civ
lily offered me refuge in his own hut which
was actually situated in this Wild, almost
unknown place. cannot tell you half his
kindness TO me. For fve weeks lay very
i'll, and his attention was constant. When,
at last, was able to move, he begged me TO
be his guide AS far as New York, as he pro-
posed spendinga few months in travelling
through the Eastern cities. gladly assent.
ed, for he il splendid, whole-souled fel-
low, and he is coming with me. With your
permission, will bring him direct to Briar-
dale, before he starts to travel further. A
kiss for Nettie. .-
s-es Lovingly, NoRMAS.n
l read the letter twice, then wrote my glad
assent to my boys proposition, and went. to
tell his: sister, and have HE room ready They
Norman and Ncttic, were my poor brother
orphan children, and my charge, from the lii
tie girl . babyhood, and my elnme, suffering
sister, made up my household. Normans ed
ucation Ms an engineer, and his many survey
ing expeditions, had kept him much from
home, but now he was coming 10 me for long
visit and I most gladly made ready the rooms
for himself and his friend. Nettie was q will
ing assistant, and ~ her .bli,he voice rang
out in many ; burst Of song, could read in
its tones the Joyous antioipations Of her broth
cr's return. AndI? My cid heart was fair.
" dancing with the hope Of seeing tie bright.
manly face, and hearing the CHEEKY voice Of
my darling. Nettie shook her head over the
other. guest, and her blue eyes danced merrilv
as she said, sfs a'iw ,ss
"ohI. Norman, won't 1 pay you for daring
to bring : stranger to spoil our furi All our
rides and walks must have a horrid third, to
make them stupid. and that third raw, twk-
ward>dackwoodsman, who probably eats NTH
his knife. and wears coat Of twenty Years
ago. ..s...s .ssss,si s''s'a# s3,assss
."Well, Nettie dear" said my sister, gently
"if there is atrue mans heart under the coat
it does not matter how old it is - sa.ss
"Aunt AIMS conscience won't allow the
culpritto be condemned unheard," was the
blithe answer.e ..Neyer rfesrh Lwent quite
defeat any body who has been kind to Norman. )"
There Was little rational employment uu-
dertskea on Thursday. Nettis Ai.ted 10 and
fro between Norman's room and the one ar
ranged for our guest, now pulling the curtain
folds straight, now adding = bud or blossom
to.lhseluxariaat bouquets dscoratiug thertable
ana mantle piece, sewstAnding before the 1bng
mirsor to survey hsrsaka tiny dainsy fgare,
aud b surs that the snris ',drosped g Nor>
man liked them, The. blue dress his favorite
color-swas fAultless' in nt and fall, and the
pretty face not too much altered for recogni.
ton, after the three years. separation.
81 was only kftssA, still at school, ,auntie,
When Ii vent " cit. and now ( an u young
lsdy:: Though" she sddsd;, with.a iissopso-
late glance at the mirror, Il don grow much.
Now suntie. You are going t6 Be aatwfuily COED
to me, know, and keep the western cub
talking, 50 that Norman and can have some
long talks. Oh, dear Why couldn't he have
gone right on to New York, and paid his visit
70 ussipths srinter, instead of coming hero
nt&sMAsa aobody wsnls him ~ 4 sI
ar1snt hnn Nettis.'fS St 81 SsRsAf
''Then you may have him. she said, sauci>
", 'for am sure don't!'
"Don't what 2"
A scream and rush answered the voice, and
Nettie was clasped close in her brothers arms
her litae fingers quite los. in hssembrace, as
be bsnt.from n erect lsix feettssatch ler to
his brosst i & n I
"Oh tyou We darlisg T. he cried, as hs Let
her 60 y last. "Arssou never soins I set
any bisgcr'' r. SN