The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-11-10

Why, you hit her right on the nose
with your hook!" said Margie. .h't
"She had-n' doughter be wadin
round in my fish pond, them" re.
sponded Rue, cody. snow, I'm goin'
to let it down again. Say, Margie, see
that bunch of beets across the street,
If they only laid on our sidewalk
could hook 'em up nice, tell you'll"
While they surveyed the opposite
grocery, an old gentleman passing down
the street on the narrow sidewalk, re-
moved his hat for moment to wipe
his perspiring brow, and Rue's descend
ing hook came suddenly in contact
with his head.
"Halloow he exclaimed, startled and
putting up his hands to discover what
had struck him.
Rue saw the movement, and, fearing
some evil to his precious fishing tackle,
gave the string quick jerk but, alas I
the hook was entangled in his hair.
90 myW calculated Margie, with
suppressed breath, suddenly turning
upon her brother, eyes staring wide
with horror and establishment.
Rue gave one terrified glance toward
his hook, and discovered a mass of hair
dangling in mid air, then drew back
from the window and pulled in " with
all his might.
"Took half his head clean off," he
said, in an awe-struck whisper.
"Do you 'spect he's dead?" asked
! the frightened Nargie, after a moment
of awful silence.
Dunno" answered Rue, solemnly,
concealing the horrible trophy beneath
the curtains. and not daring to look
out to ascertain results. "Den't you
never an never tell, Margie," he en-
joined, with visions of policemen, pris
ons and gallows beginning to fit before
his eye.
\ step ascending the stair caught
Mans ear. "Mrs. Grimp coming up to
make thermometer of herself and
explain the exact state Of the weather."
she thought, a little impatiently, and
to the knock responded more carelessly
| than courteously, Come in"
1t was not Mrs. Grimp that opened
the door; but bald-headed old gentle
man, who had evidently expended q
part of his Indignation in the labor Of
climbing the stairs for, whatever the
rife, as he asked:
care you heather up here?
81 don't know, answered Nan, sur
prised, but disposed to view the subject
rehectively. Are you in search of a
mission. sir?'
IIunnph! not exactly"
The old gentleman dropped into
chair and began tanning himself vigor-
ously with his hat.
m in search of wig-a good, new
one, not more than week old
All! yes" said Nan, mildly. eve
don't keep any, new or secondhand
either; haven't anything of the sort,
except that growing on our own heads
We might shave that off. suppose it
would be cooler for warm weather; but
then doubt if it would quite suit you,
and there isn't any about the establish.
ment so new as a week old
Excuse me-" The old gentlemen
was scanning her features rather GU
riously. Il think must have met you
before your face seems familiar
Il do not remember. Perhaps you
are my uncle from lndia!' suggested
Nan.
"Ah! have you an uncle in that part
of the world?" asked the visitor, turn
ing his memory in the direction Of his
Ida acquaintance.
mot that I'm aware of sir; only &C.
cording to the story.books | ought to
have, and should think it almost time
for himself and fortune to appear upon
the stage"
"Ah! | see." A twinkle was creep
ing into the strangers gray ey S. "But
to return to my wig-l beg your par
don, young lady, but | am quite certain
| saw it drawn in at one Of these win
dows."
"Drawn in at the Window" A CLEAN
of comprehension slowly crossed Mans
face. "Ruel"
Rue saw that further attempt at con-
cealment would be useless, and with
fears partially allayed by the discovery
! that the hairless gentleman was still
able to move and speak, he drew the
wig from its hiding-place. There tisl
| didn't want none of his hair" lie re.
marked, trembling but defiant
% Rue! what will you do next ?"
said Nan reproachfully.
"Well," urged Master Rue, defen-
sively, " | guess | was only a fshin',
an he run bis head right 'gainst my
fish-hook, an jest slelped hisself like a
tomahawk. 'spect the old thing was
cracked loose before, less it wouldn't
have come off so easy, so it wouldn't"
The strange voice drew Helen from
an adjoining room, and the owner of
the voice glanced from Nan to her, and
smiled
"Ah this is the face | have seen
| thought at first it was your sisters
but / see my mistake now. | have
met you down at my boys place,
believer
Helen stood embarrassed and Devil.
dered for moment, then suddenly
comprehended that his boy was six
feet in height, and wore moustache
and his "place" was the Office OF the
print-works; in short, that he was one
Of the owners Of the establishment that
gave her employment.
But had surely seen you before |
met you there" and the gray eyes were
still studying her face with their kind
Il IL. IL