The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-05-12

y
bout Ephraim's bein sighted; we all
spected you'd lot on his bein' chosen
but you see twouldn't do no how"
The pale face flushed, and then she
looked up to find that every eye was
upon her and every one waiting to see
what she would say.
She spoke up quite unlike herself
"No, don't see why it wouldn't do
my Ephraim's as likely a man as there
is in this town, and there is this town,
and there amt a person with the right
to speak agin him, and that's more'p
can be said of some folks that pear to
stand a better chance than him."
1t was pretty still there for a minute
or so and then Deacon Slocum's wife,
who was hostess on the OCCASION, said
" Don't you be 'fronted, sister Hawkins,
nobody blames YOU"
"And who do they blame hasn't my
son always walked 'cordin' to his pro
fession?'
"Y-e-a-s, but you know what the
Scripture says"
" know a good deal that would be a
rebuke to folks | could MENTION" but
she tried to smile as she asked, "What
partickler Scripture do you refer to, sis.
ter Slocum ?'
81 don't know as | can give you the
words straight. | heard my husband
| talkin' it over; twas somethin bout q
deacon havin' wife and children
guess they always have to, don't they?'
4" 1t ought to be one of the qualifica-
TONS" severely remanded Miss Shamb-
ley, lady of uncertain age. And shen
there was suppressed litter among the
younger ladies.
With heart so sore from having
these two great trials of her life so ruth
lessly brought before her in such pub
lie manner, twas no wonder that her
reply should have have been given rath-
er sharply.
Ephraim's been slow maxim up his
mind It's his way" and then, with a
quick glance at Miss Shambley, " it amt
as if he couldn't get anybody to have
him you know"
1t was well supper was announced
and the attention of the company
turned to the strength of the tea and the
quality Of the cake.
Poor old lady, she was quite bewil-
dered with her own thoughts, and she
wanted to get away from all those pitt
less eyes and tongues, so she managed
| to slip out unperceived, and arrived at
home just as "the boys" were going to
milking, and to their anxious inquiries
as to what was the matter, only said she
was :" tired
Solomon hurried off to the society,
firm in the belief that his services could
not be dispensed with, when the "mem-
bers" should start for home.
Ephraim and his mother had long
evening together, and her trials were so
effectually shown to her son that the
interview closed with the widow
triumphant and happy, and Eph-
RAIN had a subdued look, which BODIED
well for his mothers wishes.
On the following morning Solomon
asked, "Where are you going to pick
up stones to-day, Eph?' and was told,
81 have other work on my hands to-
day, less to my mind but | have prom
ised mother not to try her any longer
by sinking
Solomon's eyes opened wide, and he
did not hesitate to say, Hannah,
there'll be fun no. guess" He was in
stantly stopped by reprimand from his
mother
Now Ephraim was one Of those down
right, upright kind of men, to whom
the battle is more than half over when
once they have resolved" so his moth
er felt no misgivings about him as she
watched him crossing the meadows in
the direction of Squire Whipple's.
do not think the good woman ever
thought of the possibility of Martha S
saying "nay" to such an offer, but as
the day wore on and he did not come
home, she smiled to think what ardent
lovers these quiet, backward kind OF
men made, when they come to know
their own minds.
Solomon declared That Eph. was
making a fool of himself, going the
rounds of the whole town." and asked
his mother, "what she'd bet Eph
wouldn't ask that ar Shambley woman
to add her forty years to his n before
he was through with il"
By nine o'clock Ephraim arrived, but
nothing could be gathered from his
face, and he refused to answer single
question until he had his supper. They
waited with what patience they could
Mrs. Hawkins said, ale always was
dreadful trying, and Solomon thought
"Eph.'s symptoms good, judging from
his appetite"
At last he seated himself by the
broad, open fireplace, and placing his
feet upon the fender, commenced, Z"
went over to the 'Squires and founo
, Marthy churping, so | took hold anc
, helped her. She said something about
my running away from her generally
but didn't take any notice of it. We
. talked over about work and one thing
and one thing and another She laughed
at most everything, but gave me some
} kind of answer, until | asked her, Mar
thy, says |, what's your opinion abou
l raising large family don't you think
if it's the Lords will, it is better t.
2 have good many children to grow VI
! together than to have just two or three
? like your father and mine?
a +" She jumped so that she almost upse
Y the churn, and then she snapped out
D Eph. Hawkins, what do you meal
Y talking like that to me? don't yol
ever dare tie speak to me again as Ions
t as you live. | tried to explain, but sh
2 wouldn't listen to word, 80 ! had t